Skopje, 7 December 2025 (MIA) — Tamara Kotevska's documentary "The Tale of Silyan" (2025), this year's Macedonian candidate for the Academy Awards, has won the Best Feature Documentary and Best Cinematography awards at the 41st Annual International Documentary Association Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. 

According to the production team, the Oscar-nominated director of "Honeyland" said this was her "most personal film so far" and she dedicated the success "to all documentary warriors around the world."

"The IDA awards are some of the most influential in the world of documentary film and are considered one of the strongest indicators of success in the Oscar race," producers said, adding that this success boosts the film's bid for an Academy Award.

The Oscars shortlist will be announced on Dec. 16 and the final five nominees in each category will be announced on Jan. 22.

Kotevska's film was acquired by National Geographic Documentary Films, which has described it as "a poignant and visually arresting story set in the heart of rural Macedonia." mr/