BERLIN - The Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at Berlinale was awarded to Nina Roza, an Italian co-production. The story is told in sideways looks, silences, and pauses, where art is seen as a tool for mutual recognition between adults and children, between those who seek and those who are sought. It is supported by an elegant screenplay that explores the significance of returning home, geographically, emotionally and in terms of identity, through the character of art dealer Mihail who travels from Quebec to Bulgaria, the homeland he left in the 1990s.
The award citation notes “the incredible use of silence and profound, raw honesty. The writing doesn't just tell a story, it finds a universal truth that belongs to all of us. It captures the delicacy of a personal journey with words that feel both intimate and universal.” It continues: “Through a brilliant and surprising perspective, the writer allows us to transcend the boundaries of time and space. It is a masterpiece that reveals the very essence of human life through the power of the written word. We loved the way it unfolded before us, how the film slowly enveloped us, its profound beauty and emotional architecture. Beautifully written, no doubt.”
One of the minority Italian co-productions in Competition at Berlin, Nina Roza - written and directed by Geneviève Dulude-De Celles, winner of the 2019 Crystal Bear at Berlin for Une Colonie - is a Canada, Italy, Bulgaria, Belgium co-production, produced by Colonelle Films, UMI Films (Italy), PREMIER studio, and Echo Bravo, with the contribution of the Ministry of Culture and the support of SODEC.
"I bring many voices to the stage with me: those of my talented co-creator, all the screenwriters, producers, and our beloved team, because a film comes from a collective effort, from many small miracles," said the director and screenwriter as she accepted the Bear, noting that the film was made possible by the collaboration of Canadians, Belgians, Italians, Bulgarians working side by side. "Above all, through this film I bring the voices of exiles, of those who fought for the right to a home, to a sense of belonging, of those torn between two identities," continued Geneviève Dulude-De Celles. "This is a very difficult time for migrants. We must defend those who are vulnerable. Every gesture counts. Every voice is valuable."
"I would like to compliment all those who participated in the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival and congratulate all the award winners", said Undersecretary of Culture Lucia Borgonzoni. "Italy is consolidating her role on the global stage. This year, our presence at the Berlinale stood out in terms of international co-productions. We are working and will keep working to open up new opportunities for collaboration with other countries, fully aware that the growth of the entire sector is also affected by this."