Fiume o morte! Triumphs at IFFR 2025, Winning the Tiger Award and FIPRESCI Prize
We are beyond proud to share the incredible news: Fiume o morte! by Igor Bezinović has won the prestigious Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2025! The film also took home the highly regarded FIPRESCI Prize, marking an extraordinary World Premiere that resonated deeply with juries, audiences, and critics alike. What a phenomenal start to the film’s journey!
A co-production between Croatia, Italy, and Slovenia, Fiume o morte! exemplifies the spirit of the Tiger Competition, which has been celebrating bold and innovative filmmakers since 1995. The 2025 Tiger Competition jury, composed of Yuki Aditya, Winnie Lau, Andrea Luka Zimmerman, and Peter Strickland, awarded the top honor to Bezinović’s film for its groundbreaking approach to storytelling.
Blending archival footage with irreverent reenactments, Fiume o morte! dives into a lesser-known but fascinating chapter of European history: the short-lived occupation of Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia) by poet-turned-militant Gabriele D’Annunzio in 1919. The film’s playfully subversive style offers a timely critique of contemporary political trends, particularly the resurgence of far-right ideologies.
The FIPRESCI jury praised the film’s inventive techniques, stating:
“We were impressed by the film’s playful use of archival footage and reenactment to throw light on a too-little-known episode of European history. Whilst full of dry, self-reflexive humour, the film manages to use its creative exploration of history to provide in-depth commentary on worrying contemporary political developments, specifically the rise of the global far-right. We applaud the film’s effortless combination of experimentation and accessibility – not least due to its excellent editing – which serves to convey a timely warning against the formation of authoritarianism.”
Following its Rotterdam premiere, Fiume o morte! has garnered glowing reviews from international critics, who have hailed it as a witty and highly inventive take on history.
“a witty, resourceful hybrid”
Guy Lodge, Variety
“highly creative”
“both playfully and critically engaged with how the past is reframed”
“fresh and unexpected”
Wendy Ide, Screen Daily
“forthright, unflinching and very funny”
“a timely reminder that laughing at fascists is a form of resistance”
“a gloriously punk spin on the historical documentary genre, channeling the humour and rebellious spirit of a people who have been part of “eight or nine different countries” during the 20th century, who have spoken multiple languages, but who have managed to maintain their own distinct identity nonetheless”
“Unique in structure and enthralling in how it blends so many different ideas together, the film captures the spirit of both the past and the present, focusing on the ways in which they influence one another in the ongoing quest to understand the history of a place and its people, which constantly evolve and provide us with unforgettable insights into a mesmerizing and oddly entertaining historical moment.”
Matthew Joseph Jenner, International Cinephile Society
“a rigorously researched, irreverently punk re-enactment”
Carmen Gray, The Film Verdict
“[a] madcap and irreverent yet astute and politically trenchant intervention”
“Fiume o morte! is a slick piece of filmmaking that reminds us that, although the items of “legacy” of a certain period might not always be on display, the dark or crazy past is never too far away.”
Marko Stojiljković , Cineuropa
“Fiume o morte! is a fascinating, entertaining and provocative journey into certainly one of the strangest aspects of the city’s history, offering various viewpoints and narratives that help balance the darker side of the story alongside the often ridiculous. Sunbathing soldiers, bombastic speeches and even a platypus feature in this oddball story of how a vain political showman had such a drastic impact on a city struggling to find itself post-World War I.”
Mark Adams, Business Doc Europe
This double victory at IFFR is a remarkable recognition of Igor Bezinović’s talent and vision. Fiume o morte! is a testament to his ability to weave history, politics, and humor into a film that is both thought-provoking and deeply engaging.
We are grateful for the enthusiastic reception in Rotterdam and excited for what lies ahead as the film embarks on its international festival journey. Stay tuned for more updates on its upcoming screenings and distribution news.