RASHID, L’ENFANT DE SINJAR wins DOK.fest Award of SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit 2025
Belgium, France 2025, 80 min., director: Jasna Krajinovic
Slovenian director Jasna Krajinovic receives the DOK.fest Award of the SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit 2025 for RASHID, THE BOY FROM SINJAR. Sincere congratulations!
About the film: As a child, Rashid survived imprisonment by IS; as a teenager, he now faces a dilemma: to stay and fight for a future in Sinjar or to leave his home and friends behind? Amid insecurity and new threats, he is trying to find his path. A film about family, friendship and the longing for a better life. Helga-Mari Steininger
Director: Jasna Krajinovic. Camera: Eve Duchemin, Kinan Massarani, Julien Gidoin. Sound: Fabrice Osinski, Quentin Jacques, Lucas Le Bart. Editing: Marie-Hélène Mora, Julien Contreau. Production: ALTER EGO PRODUCTION. Producer: Julie Esparbes. International Sales: ANDANA FILMS. Length: 80 min. Original title: RASHID, L’ENFANT DE SINJAR.
About the award winner: After studying literature, Jasna Krajinovic joined the Slovenian Film Academy. She completed her studies at INSAS in Brussels in 1999. Since then, she has lived and worked as a documentary filmmaker in Belgium.
Jury statement
“Rashid survived IS captivity as a child and lives with his family in Sinjar, in the north-west of Iraq, while his sister is still being held captive by IS. Now, as a teenager, the young Yazidi dreams of a better future for himself and his country, which is still being rebuilt. But the peace in Sinjar is fragile. Rashid wants nothing more than a place where he can thrive and be close to his family, but the situation in the country does not allow him a trouble-free future.
The narrative depth and at the same time vivid closeness of Rashid's life make the film RASHID, L'ENFANT DE SINJAR by Slovenian director Jasna Krajinovic an impressive work that shows particular strength in both the direction and the camera work. The director accompanied the protagonist for over five years, an outstanding piece of work. Rashid captivates the audience from the very first second. His stories are haunting because they depict the unimaginable - experiences of violence and loss. At the same time, however, he displays a remarkable resilience and, despite everything, retains an unexpected warmth. The fact that the director chose him as her protagonist is an outstanding achievement - his story and his personality make the film so extraordinary.
The combination of a particularly strong authorial performance, impressive camera work and a touching, unembellished look at human destinies results in a film that is both artistically and socially highly relevant. The impressive portrayal allows us access to a difficult topic. Rashid does not want to leave his homeland, but the threatening circumstances ultimately force him to do so. RASHID, L'ENFANT DE SINJAR is a film that shows the human side and makes us reflect at a time when there is much discussion about repatriation and border closures.”
- The 2025 jury of the DOK.fest Award of SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit
- The 2025 nominees
- Press release on the winner of this year's DOK.fest Award of SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit (in German)
The film at the festival
The winning film RASHID, L'ENFANT DE SINJAR will be screened at the 40th DOK.fest München in May 2025:
- 7 to 18 May at the Munich venues
- 12 to 25 May @home
The DOK.fest Award of SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit will be presented at a festive award ceremony with film screening on Sunday, 18 May 2025 at 6.00 pm at Amerikahaus.
An award for unique perspectives
The DOK.fest Award of SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit honours films across all sections that make the perspective of children and young people visible and tangible in a remarkable way. It is donated by B.O.A Videofilmkunst and endowed with 3,000 euros. The award will be presented for the twelfth time at DOK.fest München 2025.
