25/06/2026
✨ We are delighted to share that "Perla", the latest feature by Slovak-Austrian filmmaker Alexandra Makarová, has been awarded the 2026 EEFFN award! 🏆
Eastern European Film Festival Network (EEFFN), the network CinEast is part of, gave its award for the third time but it was the first time we could give it to the film director and producer Arash T. Riahi. Last October we welcomed Alexandra Makarová @ the 18th CinEast edition with this remarkable CEE story which was or will be shown at all festivals.
Set between Vienna and Czechoslovakia in the 1980s, "Perla" follows a dissident artist whose life is turned upside down when a figure from her past reappears, forcing her to confront difficult choices between freedom, love and family.
📍 The award was presented in Vienna at Urania Cinema, which has recently been re-launched as CEEnema and its director Magda Zelasko handed the award together with CinEast director Radek Lipka.
🎉 Congratulations to Alexandra Makarová, Arash T. Riahi and the entire team behind "Perla"! ✨
🤝 The Eastern European Film Festival Network is an initiative that brings together CinEast Festival, goEast Film Festival, BEAST - International Film Festival, Eastern Neighbours Film Festival, Festival À l'Est, EU Youth Cinema: Green Deal and LET'S CEE Film Festival with the aim of strengthening the circulation and visibility of Eastern European cinema across Europe and beyond.
More photos from the screening and more updates from Urania CEEnema coming soon.