The documentary film Hassan’s Wars, directed by Robert Bubalo, was awarded Best Documentary Film at the 7th Avant & Una International Adventure Film Festival, held in Bihać.

This powerful and authentic story explores the complex history and present-day reality of the Middle Eastern conflict, with a particular focus on Beirut and its decades-long political, national, and ideological challenges. Bubalo’s film presents an emotional journey of a man who, after laying down his arms, found new meaning in life through writing. His transformation from a radical Islamist into a peace advocate is so profound that he is now protected by the police—from the very extremists he once stood alongside.

This moving and impactful story, also screened at last year’s Mediterranean Film Festival, has previously received notable recognition, including the Golden Barge Award (Zlatni šlep) at the 19th Vukovar Film Festival.

In addition to Hassan’s Wars, the festival jury—comprising Jasmin Agić, Anila Gajević, and Dejan Dabić—announced several other awards. The Grand Prix went to the film Južina by Ante Marin, while Paviljon by Dino Mustafić received awards for Best Fiction Film and Best Acting Performance, awarded to Ermin Bravo.

The festival also presented awards in several other categories best Environmental Film: Zajedništvo – Dragan Stanimirović & Svjetlana Panić, best Adventure Film Ligure s Trebevića – Nihad Ušanović, best Self-Made Film: Rječina – From Source to Sea – Vlatko Pavišić, best Sound: Samoća – Tomo Baručin & Darko Capo and best Cinematography: Rakitnica – Aleksandar Svitić & Dragan Gajanović.

The seventh edition of the festival took place from August 22 to 27, with screenings held at various locations including Kapetanova Kula in the center of Bihać, and open-air cinemas in Skender Vakuf, Martin Brod, and Cazin. This year’s program selector was director Jasmin Duraković, and the audience had the opportunity to watch a total of 24 films.