About 500 films who have applied from 120 countries of the World, local and international, 40 films have been selected for the screening during the 3-day festival.

The first edition of the Art Without Limit International Film Festival was held on 28, 29, 30 September 2020, and is the only festival in the Balkans that is focused on the theme of people with special needs.

Based on online views, 6000 people from all over the world, have attended the film festival.  The number of indirect beneficiaries (awareness and information sharing) has been significantly large, given that its realization was accompanied by several television appearances.

“The films of this festival deal with different aspects of the life of the people with special needs to whom the festival is dedicated.” said Ganimete Sava, executive director of AwL.

“Moreover, the festival was scheduled to be held at ‘Kino Armata’ in Pristina, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year it will be held online through the “AwL website” she added.

Films with educational messages have been shown in two educational institutions: The Resource Center for Teaching and Counseling “Përparimi” Prishtina (school dedicated to children with severe and multiple intellectual disabilities) and The British School of Kosovo.

115 students learned and understood better the reality that people with disabilities are part of the society and can be equal contributors to it. Also, the transmission of educational and awareness messages offered by the films, influenced students to reflect within themselves, to understand and accept their personal reality, as well as the fact that they are also a part of society of people with disabilities.

On September 30, the festival jury led by Austrian producer Veit Heiduschka awarded 15 prizes in various categories.

• The best fiction film award in the GOLD category was given to “Delivery boy” directed by Vinicius Saramago, Brazil. The best fiction film award in the SILVER category was given to “Wave” directed by Benjamin Cleary / Tj O’Grady Peyton, Ireland.

• The best documentary film award in the GOLD category was given to “Look beyond appearances” directed by Dervin Usta, Turkey. The best documentary film award in the SILVER category was given to “Match” directed by Vincent Hazard, France.

• The best animated film award in the GOLD category was given to “Cuerdas”, directed by Pedro Solis Garcia, Spain. The best animated film award in the SILVER category was given to “An elephant on the moon” directed by Benjamin Barthelemy, France.

• Best Director award was given to “Wave” directed by Benjamin Cleary / Tj O’Grady Peyton, Ireland. Best Screenplay award was given to “Wave” – Benjamin Cleary, Ireland. The best camera award was given to “Delivery boy” – Joao Casalino, Brazil and “Martin” Donal Moloney, Ireland.

• The special “Women’s Empowerment” award was given to two films: “Azar” directed by Diba Ehteshami, Iran and “Dimas game” directed by Oussayma Canbarieh, Canada.

• The “Best project portrayed” award was given to three films: “Routine” directed by Bekim Guri – Kosovo, “Building 50 homes in Melamchi” directed by Justin Cava Jones, Nepal and “Hospice of Santa Barbara – Manuel’s story”, directed by Greg Krones, USA.

Part of this Festival was made possible thanks to the support received from the Kosovo Women’s Fund and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).