The CEI Award was presented at the Trieste Film Festival, Italy’s leading event dedicated to Central and Eastern European cinema, taking place in Trieste from 16 to 24 January 2026.
The award, which recognises a film that best embodies the spirit of cultural dialogue and engagement with contemporary issues, went this year to Moldovan director Raisa Răzmeriță for Electing Ms Santa.
As stated by the jury committee “Both intimate and universal, Electing Ms Santa is a moving exploration of identity, ambition, self-discovery and female empowerment. Director Raisa Răzmeriță’s powerful debut film set in rural Moldova is a testament to patient and long-time observation storytelling, exploring gender roles and the humanity of everyday heroes in transforming their communities.
Ambassador Yurii Mushka, CEI Deputy Secretary General, presented the award on the occasion of the ceremony held in Trieste on 23 January.
Raisa Răzmeriță graduated from the BDC Discoveries – Balkan Documentary Center and is a fellow of the Malik Bendjelloul Foundation. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Philosophy and Cultural Management at the State University of Moldova. She collaborates as a director with HaiDOC Productions and also works with several Moldovan NGOs. Electing Ms Santa, among the projects presented at Last Stop Trieste – WEMW in 2025, is her first feature-length documentary and premiered at the last Tallinn Film Festival
For more info: fabro@cei.int
