Melita Sandrin received the Vesna Award for Best Student Film 2025
At the 28th Slovenian Film Festival in Portorož, the animated film Arachnophobia by Melita Sandrin, a student at the School of Arts, received the Vesna Award for Best Student Film.
In the award citation, the jury noted that Arachnophobia »offers a humorous take on overcoming fear. Through inventive use of animation, the director skillfully intertwines tension, entertainment, and warmth, creating a sincere creative expression that captivates with masterful and technically accomplished execution.«
In addition, mentors from the School of Arts also stood out at this year’s festival. The Vesna Award for Best Screenplay was awarded to School of Arts mentor Jerneja Kaja Balog, together with the other co-writers, for the co-produced feature-length animated film Stories from the Magic Garden. The film was co-directed by School of Arts mentor Leon Vidmar. The animated film also received the Vesna for Best Animated Film, with School of Arts professor Kolja Saksida as co-producer.
We were also delighted by School of Arts alumna Urška Djukić, who received the festival’s main award—the Vesna for Best Feature Film—for What’s Wrong with You, Girl?. The film’s producer, Jožko Rutar, is a lecturer at the University of Nova Gorica School of Arts.
Congratulations to all!