The winning films of DOC.Coimbra 2026
- Apr 6
- 3 min read
We would like to thank all the filmmakers who shared their films with us, and especially those who were able to join us and experience these days in Coimbra by our side. Without you, the DOC.Coimbra 2026 Festival simply would not exist. After six intense days of the festival and 18 competitive screenings, the jurors from the different categories faced the difficult task of choosing the winners—a true challenge, given the quality of the 55 films in competition. We also extend our sincere thanks to the entire jury panel for their dedication, sensitivity, and generosity throughout this process.
Winning Films:
Best International Feature Film (Y)our Mother - Samira El Mouzghibati - Morocco
Justification: A daughter’s search for her mother—still alive but increasingly withdrawn—takes us on an emotional and auditory journey through silences, laughter, and questions that cannot be answered, because family relationships prove, time and again, impossible to translate. The documentary filmmaker places herself and her sisters on the opposite side of a mother who immigrated from Morocco to Belgium, whose path to a true existence was the choice of religion and a modest life. It was there that she may have found her freedom. And this understanding is, perhaps, a daughter’s reconciliation with her mother’s humanity.
Honourable Mention: International feature Film
The Extraordinary Journey of Dragon - Kaori Flores Yonekura - Venezuela
Justification: Exploring our ancestors’ history helps us build our future; understanding where those who came before us came from is essential to grasping the complexity of migratory patterns. This award symbolizes an excellent and innovative use of archival material, highlighting the audio details that draw us into the narrative and transport us through images of one of the many peoples who formed the open veins of Latin American immigration. The award for Best Film goes to El Extraordinario Viaje del Dragón by Kaori Flores Yonekura.
Best International Short Film
Salman Wants to Go - Ozan Takış - Turkey
Justification:
The story highlights the injustice of European legal migration policies. Even qualified individuals are prevented from migrating legally and forced to pin their hopes on irregular routes. The film is of great importance for discussing the protagonist’s dignified journey, told directly from his heart—even though the credits do not fully identify him as a co-creator. The best international short film is “Salman Wants to Go.”
Honorable Mention: International Short Film
The Silence of Pomegranates - Clara Baj - France and Italy
Justification: An experimental and poetic film about abortion. By bearing witness to the abuses and mistreatment perpetrated by medical institutions, the film sheds light on deeply painful experiences for women. The film helps break the silence that still persists and stands out for bringing visibility to a reality that, unfortunately, remains present and is highly relevant today. The Special Mention goes to the short film Il silenzio dei melograni.
Best Lusophonic Feature Film
Caronte - Tânia Teixeira - Portugal
Justification: This film tackles the extremely complex and uncomfortable topic of suicide in contemporary society, presenting the director’s unique and well-crafted perspective through a more sensory and experimental approach.
Honorable Mention: Lusophonic Feature Film
Uma em Mil - Jonatas Rubert e Tiago Rubert, Brasil
Justificativa:
Filme que marca a construção de uma co-autoria sensível e horizontal, na tentativa de criar mundos possíveis para todos, desafiando limitações e construindo uma potente linguagem própria, despontando em um final surpreendente e encantador.
Best Lusophonic Short Film
Entre Nós e o Silêncio - Brenda Akele Jorde, David-Simon Groß - Moçambique and Germany
Reasoning: This film addresses a complex contemporary issue: the often-difficult relationship between mother and daughter, offering a unique and powerful perspective on the subject. The character’s story also prompts us to reflect on cultural issues that are highly relevant in today’s world.
Honorable Mention: Lusophonic short Film
Sukande Kasáká - Terra Doente - Kamikia Kisedje & Fred Rahal
Justification: A masterfully executed poetic vision of the unequal and abusive relationship between white men and Brazil’s indigenous peoples, driven by economic interests that lead to the invasion of their lands and the disrespect of their culture. A timely film that addresses an ongoing genocide.
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