The international i-Fest Film Festival was held in Calabria from September 3 to 13, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, producers and film professionals from around the world once again this year. One of the central events of the festival was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to actor, director and producer Lazar Ristovski.

In the citation accompanying the award, the jury of the i-Fest Calabria International Film Festival stated:

“For an outstanding career that has made him one of the most distinguished and recognizable figures in Balkan and European cinema. Actor, director and producer, Lazar Ristovski has, throughout more than four decades of filmmaking, brought to life characters of great strength and complexity, capable of telling stories about the contradictions of the history and identity of his country.

From his unforgettable role in Emir Kusturica’s Underground, through numerous international productions, to the films he has directed and produced himself, he has forged a personal and consistent artistic path, combining dramatic intensity, irony and a distinctive screen presence.

In recognition of a career that has made a significant contribution to the contemporary history of European cinema, the i-Fest International Film Festival presents Lazar Ristovski with the i-Fest Special Award 2026.”