‘Battalion Records,’ ‘In Vacuo’ Win Main Awards in Year of Change at Karlovy Vary Eastern Promises Section
VarietyTuesday, July 8, 2025 at 8:00:00 PM
This year’s Karlovy Vary Film Festival saw some fresh faces take home top honors in its Eastern Promises section, which focuses on emerging talent and projects from Eastern Europe. Ștefan Bîtu-Tudoran’s debut feature, Battalion Records, snagged the Eurimages Co-production Development Award (and a cool €20,000), while Yelizaveta Smith’s Ukrainian project In Vacuo landed a special award. The wins highlight a mix of new voices and regional storytelling at a festival known for spotlighting under-the-radar cinema.
Editor’s Note: For indie filmmakers, especially from Eastern Europe, awards like these aren’t just trophies—they’re lifelines. The cash and recognition can turn passion projects into reality, and in Smith’s case, it’s a nod to Ukrainian creativity during tough times. For film buffs, it’s a heads-up: these names might soon be on your radar.
— Curated via WP Now’s
