Jury members Tamara Kučinović (president), Irina Somborac and Divna Stojanov, after watching the last performance of the Novi Sad Theatre Festival competitive selection, stated that they "miss" more awards, i.e. that there were additional aspects and performances that would have been rewarded if they had had space for them. An example of this is the music for the play "The Adventures of Little Juju", a bold step into the realm of experimentalism made by the play "Bloop", an award for the young actress Mina Nenadović in the play "In the Ceiling the Stars Are Shining”. All this points to the quality of this year's selection. They also praised the genre, aesthetic and thematic diversity of the selection, the opportunity that the festival offers the audience to watch non-verbal, experimental, traditional, puppet shows, theater objects...
DECISIONS AND EXPLANATION OF THE JURY OF NOVI SAD THEATRE FESTIVAL, THE FORTH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF PROFESSIONAL THEATER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Expert jury: costume designer Irina Somborac, director Tamara Kučinović (president of the jury) and playwriter Divna Stojanov, after watching ten performances, from May 7 to 11 at the Novi Sad Theater Festival, the forth International Festival of Professional Theaters for Children and Youth, makes the following decisions:
Award for the best overall performance
GRAND PRIX
MACBETH MUET
Theatre “La Fille Du Laitier” Montréal, Québec, Canada
The play Macbeth Muet, with its clear and accessible form of communication, creates an inclusive space for audiences of all ages to engage with Shakespeare’s tragedy. By presenting the story in a way that’s both witty and eclectic, the production makes the dark themes of murder more approachable, offering younger generations a meaningful introduction to classical tragedy—and an opportunity for catharsis.
The award for the best director
Marie-Hélène Bélanger Dumas & Jon Lachlan Stewart
for the play MACBETH MUET
Theatre “La Fille Du Laitier” Montréal, Québec, Canada
Direction employs a simple yet effective concept that highlights themes of murder and power with precision. The staging presents smart, well-thought-out directorial choices that bring clarity and depth to the symbolic language of the play. The rapid transitions and brief focus on each event lend the performance a sense of lightness and joy, enhancing its overall impact.
Award Acting Bravura
Marie-Hélène Bélanger Dumas & Jérémie Francoeur
for the roles in the play MACBETH MUET
Theatre “La Fille Du Laitier” Montréal, Québec, Canada
Actors Marie-Hélène Bélanger Dumas and Jérémie Francoeur demonstrated exceptional acting skill and object animation. Their performance was marked by impressive coordination, precision, humility, talent, authenticity, and a masterful balance of comedy and tragedy.
Award for Mastery of Animation
Vera Rosanova
In the play “ON’T WAIT FOR ME...
Teatre “La Neige sur les cils”, Nantes, France
The minimalist animation perfectly supports the mood and themes of the play. Through precise and thoughtful use of expressive animation techniques, the performance builds a strong emotional connection to the characters' struggles. The puppeteers’ ability to animate two or more figures simultaneously—shifting attention with precision—beautifully underscores the emotional complexity and warmth of the relationships on stage.
Special award for the text
Ivana Đurla and Milica Sinkauz
for the play THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE JUJU
City Puppet Theatre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Authors Ivana Đula and Milica Sinkauz have successfully expanded, developed, and brought to life a well-known children's song, transforming it into a vivid, engaging, and inspiring adventure for young audiences. They’ve encouraged us to face our fears with courage. Their unexpected and authentic rhyming style, in harmony with original music that effortlessly supports the rhythm of the verse, is a brilliant example of how a simple textual foundation can be approached with creativity and wisdom.
Special award for collective play
actors of the play THE ADVENTURES OF LITTLE JUJU
City Puppet Theatre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Using an unpretentious story and sensitive means to manage to tell an emotional, strong, important and warning story about the little, but in fact the great Frida Kahlo, choosing only one situation from her childhood, speaks of the sensibility and deeply moral intention of this duo to adapt the story to the age for which it is intended. Covering topics such as peer violence, attitudes towards others and others, breaking stereotypes about gender roles, the importance of family support in growing up an authentic and fragile being, this play restores the hope we lost long ago and assures us, at least for a moment, that with, be all right.
Novi Sad, May 11 2025.
Tamara Kučinović, chairwoman
Divna Stojanov
Irina Somborac