Film, the art of cinema, the actor and the art of film acting, are the very elements that transformed moving images from mere information into stories with which people all over the world identify, regardless of the language they speak, where they come from, how educated they are, or which culture they belong to, simply because the actor’s face speaks in the one and, above all, universally understood language of human presence and emotion. Therefore, the Council of the “Across the Lake” Festival presents a unique award for outstanding acting achievement – the “Meto Jovanovski” Award, which was presented this evening to actor Toni Naumovski.
“Toni Naumovski is the only Macedonian actor, and one of the very few actors from the Balkans, to have built a career in theatre, film, and television in New York. For our fellow actors who have permanent engagements in state theatres here in their homeland, what this actor lives there, in that great paradise-like city, cannot be described—it must be lived, survived, and experienced every day, every second, and every breath through which one breathes life and embraces the spirit of freedom in order to do what one dreams of with open eyes. Or to perform it on film,” said Jani Bojadži, Director of the “Across the Lake” Festival, this evening.
Naumovski, Bojadži emphasized, is an actor who, in the art of cinema, represents both the beginning and the end of a journey that we wish would never come to an end.
“Toni Naumovski is an actor who is the simplest confirmation of the simple world of acting and humanity in which dreams come true. We thank him endlessly for all these dreams and for all the paths of all actors in the world of film art. Welcome home. Welcome to the world of those who are in love with moving images across the ocean, across the sea, and finally across the lake,” said Bojadži.
The large audience at the Amphitheatre in Dojran greeted the laureate with a standing ovation, while Naumovski said that he feels blessed and happy to be able to serve what he loves most—the art itself.
The award was presented to Naumovski by the Mayor of Dojran, Ilija Tentov, who welcomed the audience and officially declared the festival open.
“It is a particular honour and pleasure for me that this year we are marking the fifth edition of the festival. What began several years ago as a vision and dedication has today become a recognizable cultural event that connects the Balkan and Mediterranean cinematographies and creates a space for cinematic exchange, cultural dialogue, and new collaborations,” said Mimi Gjorgoska Ilievska, President of the Festival Council, in her address.
“For me, it is especially significant that this year ‘Across the Lake’ is being held for the first time in three cities – Dojran, Strumica, and Gevgelija. In doing so, the festival expands its mission and, through the power of moving images, brings the magic of the seventh art closer to a wider audience, creating new opportunities for encounters, inspiration, and cultural exchange.
Film is a universal language that transcends borders and connects people through stories, emotions, and different perspectives. That is precisely the value of the ‘Across the Lake’ Festival – to create encounters between different cultures, authors, and cinematographies, and to remind us that art has the power to bring us closer together,” emphasized Gjorgoska Ilievska, expressing gratitude to the entire organizing team, the institutions, partners, supporters, and everyone whose work and dedication help the festival grow and reaffirm its value year after year.
The audience watched the short film “Lice”, supported by the “New Waves” Workshop for the Development and Production of Graduate and Debut Short Films, and met director Roze Simonovska together with the rest of the film’s crew. This was followed by a screening of “Hold Onto Me” from the Official Selection and a concert by the band Peppermint.
