‘Home’ makes history for Kosovo by winning BAFTA!
‘Home’ becomes Kosovo’s first production to win the prestigious BAFTA award for the Best British Short Film. The 70th Bafta Film Awards were delivered at the Royal Albert Hall in London to honor the best British and international contributions to film. The ceremony was attended by ‘Home’ director Daniel Mulloy, producers Shpat Deda, Shpend Qamili, Scott O’Donnell, Chriss Wattling, Afolabi Kuti, and executive producers Arta Dobroshi, Tim Nash, Anthony Austin, Nora Sahatçiu.
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Kosovo got behind this production in every way. The talent of our young team made ‘Home’ what it is. The deep connection to the film’s message and the humanity and the power of the Kosovar people is woven into every frame.
”, director Daniel Mulloy said. Mulloy’s short films have won over one hundred international festival awards as well as BAFTAs, a BIFA and two nominations for the European Film Academy Award. Daniel wrote the script for ‘Home’ in Kosovo and knew he wanted it to be a Kosovo-UK co-production. Having spent a lot of time in Kosovo and having a strong love for the country, Daniel knows how talented, hardworking and passionate his Kosovar collaborators are.
‘Home’ is a co-production between DokuFest, Somesuch and Black Sheep Studios and stars Jack O’Connell, Holliday Grainger. The 20 minutes film was shot in Kosovo and the UK and highlights the plight of refugees and uncertainties and violence faced by hundreds of thousands across the globe.
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Being recognized at the BAFTAs is a tremendous honor and a testament to what can be achieved when people come together for a humane cause, in this case for refugees. Most importantly, the success HOME has had breathes new life to the message of compassion and empathy we are trying to inspire with it and enables us to reach an even broader global audience, which was our goal right from the beginning. I feel honored and privileged to have had the chance to work with such an inspiring group of people during the making of this film.
“, said producer Shpat Deda.
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This is an historic moment in Kosovo’s film industry. We at DokuFest are extremely proud to have been part of this project directed by amazingly talented filmmaker and the long collaborator of DokuFest, Daniel Mulloy. We hope that our film will connect with policymakers in taking actions and empathizing with the plight of the millions of refugees all over the world
.”, said Executive Producer of ‘Home’ and Executive Director of DokuFest Eroll Bilibani.
The team of ‘Home’ was congratulated by the head of the United Nations in Kosovo, who was the main supporter of the film. “
Home is about many things. For the United Nations in Kosovo it represents the commitment of Kosovars to engage in the global community, and it shows that Kosovo can be a home to world class filmmaking.
”, said Andrew Russel.
Kosovar ambassador in the UK, Lirim Greicevci, also congratulated the team on winning the award in a statement: “
I am truly delighted that the UK-Kosovo film “Home” received a Bafta award today. I congratulate director Daniel Mulloy and his brilliant team of cast and producers for making this incredible success a reality. They are a great inspiration to Kosovan young filmmakers and actors to pursue their dreams and aspirations. They deserve all our admiration and support
”.
‘Home’ team receiving the award for British Short Film at the EE BAFTA Film Awards:
WHO MADE THE FILM?
The film stars Jack O’Connell, Holliday Grainger, Thaliya Lowles and Zaki Ramadani.
This film was generously financially and logistically supported by United Nations Kosovo Team, particularly by: The United Nations Development Coordinator’s Office (UNDCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), UN Women, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Many dedicated partners were keen to support both the theme of refugees and migration as well as the film itself. These included USAID, Open-Societies Foundation London, Prishtina Municipality, Freud Communications, Kosovo Security Forces, Bartle Bogle Hegarty, DCM, Kosovo Police, Kodak, Kosovo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Red Coss Kosova among many others.
‘Home’ was a co-production between Dokufest, Somesuch and Black Sheep Studios.
‘Home’ producers are Afolabi Kuti, Tim Nash, Chris Watling, Scott O’Donnell and Shpat Deda.
‘Home’ Executive Producers are Arta Dobroshi, Eroll Bilibani, Anthony Austin, Sally Campbell, Andre Des Rochers and Davud Karbassioun.
The ‘Home’ crew in Kosova included Nita Deda, Renea Behluli, Mrine Godanca, Elmedine Morina, Blerta Ismaili, Blerta Basholli, Valter Lucaj, Gezim Ramizi, Ardi Mehmeti, Lorik Kocani, Drilon Potera, Besnik Selimi, Elsen Hasani, Bilbil Shabani, Armend Nimani, Leart Shehu,Fatlum Idrizi, Besart Mehmetii, Enver Konushevci, Dardan Menxhiqi, Gazmend Bajri, Legjenda Banushi, Leonora Mehmeti, Vita Beqiri, Andra Dauti, Agan Asllani and Visar Bikliqi.
The ‘Home’ cast in Kosova included Zaki Ramadani, Mevlyd Osmani, Adriana Matoshi, Andi Bajgora, Shkelqim Islami, Armend Ismajli, Rebeka Qena, Afrim Mucaj, Fatmire Sahiti, Edison Dabiqaj, Rifat Smani, Armend Zeqiri, Arianit Hoti, Kreshnik Malushai, Leonit Maloku, Allmir Suhodolli, Alban Rexhaj, Fatlum Berisha, Granit Uka, Agnes Nokshiqi, Jan Nokshiqi, Mejreme Berisha, Kreshnik Berisha, Fatlum Hasani, Ermal Saiku, Mentor Morina, Melihate Qena, Bujar Ahmeti and Leon Bicaku./Dokufest