Macedonian Producer Labina Mitevska Honored with Eurimages Award at European Film Awards
Macedonian producer and actress Labina Mitevska has been named the recipient of the 2024 Eurimages International Co-Production Award. The prestigious accolade, presented by Eurimages in collaboration with the European Film Academy, recognizes Mitevska’s outstanding contributions to European independent cinema and her work in fostering international co-productions.
Mitevska is a co-founder of the family-run Sisters and Brother Mitevski Production, based in Skopje, North Macedonia. The company, established in 2001 by Labina, her sister Teona, and brother Vuk, has become a beacon for high-quality European cinema. While Labina serves as managing director and producer, her sister Teona directs films, and her brother Vuk contributes as a set designer and animator.
The jury commended Mitevska and her team, stating: “This prize is awarded to Labina Mitevska as a tribute to the talent of a family business passionately dedicated to European cinema. It rewards the craftsmanship of high-quality independent cinema achieved through numerous outstanding international co-productions that are the pride of the Eurimages Fund.”
Labina Mitevska began her acting career in Milčo Mančevski’s "Before the Rain" (1994), a film that won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and received an Academy Award nomination. At Sisters and Brother Mitevski, she transitioned to production, co-producing films that have earned critical acclaim and festival recognition worldwide.
Some of the company’s notable works include:
- "Veta" (2001) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia / Short film – Special Jury Award, Berlinale
- "How I Killed a Saint" (2004) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia – Rotterdam premiere, Crossing Europe Award
- "I Am from Titov Veles" (2007) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia – Screened at over 80 festivals, released in 15 countries, and won 20+ awards
- "The Woman Who Brushed Off Her Tears" (2012) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia – Berlinale premiere
- "God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya" (2019) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia – Berlinale Ecumenical Jury Prize, LUX Audience Award
- "The Happiest Man in the World" (2022) / Teona Strugar Mitevska / North Macedonia – Venice and Toronto premieres
The company’s most recent film, "21 Days Until the End of the World" (2023), premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. Upcoming projects include "Skateboarding Is Not for Girls" (2024), developed at Cannes Cinéfondation, and "Mother" (2024), featuring Noomi Rapace.
Mitevska’s contributions also extend to international collaborations, having co-produced films such as Cristi Puiu’s "Sieranevada" and Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s "The Wild Pear Tree." She is a member of the European Film Academy, an EAVE national representative, and part of the producer team at Belgian company Entre Chien et Loup.
Labina Mitevska will accept the award in person at the 37th European Film Awards ceremony in Lucerne, Switzerland, on December 7, 2024.