Skopje, 4 August 2025 (MIA) — The first Macedonian animated feature film, Goce Cvetanovski's sci-fi comedy "John Vardar vs the Galaxy" (2024), won the best animation award at this year's Ariano International Film in Ariano Irpino, Italy.

The festival jury described the film as "a triumph of the imagination" and said it was "proof that animation can be a powerful means of exploring profound topics while offering entertainment, emotions and visual magic," according to Cvetanovski in a press release.

Earlier this year, "John Vardar vs The Galaxy" won best animation at Portoviejo Film Festival in Ecuador.

Described as a space opera with a Balkan twist, the film promotes tolerance, peace, respect for other cultures and the importance of optimism and positivity.

Cvetanovski wrote and directed the film. Alan Castillo is the producer and Mihajlo "The Micho" Dimitrievski is the art director. The cast consists of Zharko Dimoski, Emilija Micevska and Damjan Cvetanovski. mr/