The 29th edition of PriMed – the International Festival of Mediterranean Documentary and Reportage, held in Marseille from November 29 to December 6, 2025, confirmed once again its essential role in promoting powerful audiovisual storytelling from across the Mediterranean region. The festival brought together filmmakers, journalists, broadcasters, students and a wide public around a shared commitment to dialogue, culture and critical reflection.
Over the course of a week, PriMed transformed Marseille into a vibrant hub for documentary cinema, offering free screenings, debates, educational activities and professional encounters. This year’s edition stood out for both the quality of its selection and the strong engagement of audiences, reinforcing PriMed’s reputation as a leading international platform for Mediterranean narratives.
An Outstanding and Thought-Provoking Award List
The PriMed 2025 awards ceremony, held on December 5, celebrated films of exceptional quality, recognized for their narrative strength, artistic vision and relevance to Mediterranean issues.
The Grand Prize for Mediterranean Issues was awarded to The Sky Above Zenica by Nanna Frank Møller and Zlatko Pranjić, a powerful documentary that exposes the environmental and human consequences of industrial pollution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Through a compelling and deeply human approach, the film resonated strongly with both juries and audiences.
The Mediterranean Memory Prize went to The 1957 Transcript by Ayelet Heller, a striking work that revisits the Kafr Qasim massacre trial, shedding light on a complex and painful chapter of Mediterranean history. The film was praised for its rigor, originality and its contribution to collective memory.
The First Film Prize was awarded to Echoes from Borderland by Lara Miléna Brose, highlighting the emergence of a promising new voice in documentary filmmaking. The jury commended the film’s intimate perspective and its sensitive portrayal of life in a border region marked by displacement and resilience.
In the Arts, Cultures and Societies category, House with a Voice by Kristine Nrecaj and Birthe Templin stood out for its poetic exploration of artistic expression and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, the Young People of the Mediterranean Prize, awarded by a jury of high school students, went to Born to Fight by Ala’A Mohsen, a film praised for its powerful message of courage and determination.
The Mediterranean Short Film Prize (Audience Award) was presented to Snake Hill by Joëlle Abou Chabké, reflecting the strong connection between the film and festivalgoers.
Several special mentions and broadcast prizes were also awarded in partnership with major Mediterranean broadcasters, further supporting the international circulation and visibility of the selected works.
Growing International Reach and Lasting Impact
Beyond the awards, the 29th edition of PriMed reaffirmed its importance as a bridge between creators, broadcasters and audiences. The presence of numerous media partners and professional stakeholders highlighted the festival’s role in facilitating the dissemination of Mediterranean documentaries across television networks and digital platforms.
PriMed 2025 demonstrated that documentary cinema remains a vital tool for understanding the complexities of the Mediterranean region. By combining artistic excellence, civic engagement and educational outreach, the festival continues to strengthen its international influence while remaining deeply rooted in Marseille, a city emblematic of Mediterranean diversity.
As the festival looks ahead to its 30th anniversary, this successful edition stands as a testament to PriMed’s enduring relevance and its unwavering commitment to giving a voice to Mediterranean stories, realities and hopes.
