PALACE OF YOUTH (2025)
Feature Documentary
Featuring Music by: Suada Abazi (Zwada), Lekë Morina & Donat Vatoci (Milk Snatchers), Edona Vatoci
Director: Maddie Gwinn
Writer: Donat Vatoci
Produced by: Maddie Gwinn & Mitch Dickman (TRAGICOMEDIA USA), Bettina Morlock & Igor Dovgal (Essence Films DE), Leart Rama (Katarze Films RKS)
Executive Produced by: Shane Boris, Odessa Rae, Rita Ora
Cinematography by: Samir Ljuma & Maddie Gwinn
Editing by: Enis Saraçi & Maddie Gwinn
Supported by: SWR & MFG Baden-Württemberg, Creative Visions (Fiscal Sponsor), Denver Film (Fiscal Sponsor)
“Palace of Youth” Wins Audience Award at Dokufest 2025 Following World Premiere
Prizren, Kosovo — August 7, 2025 — The open-air cinema of DokuKino Plato at Dokufest, one of Europe’s most respected documentary festivals, was packed for the World Premiere of Palace of Youth, a documentary already making waves far beyond Prishtina, Kosovo. The film tackles one of the most urgent and tender questions of the region: what does it mean to grow up in a country that still feels like it's waiting?
Directed by first-time American filmmaker Maddie Gwinn, produced by Gwinn herself, Mitch Dickman, Bettina Morlock, Igor Dovgal & Leart Rama, executive produced by Academy Award winners Shane Boris & Odessa Rae and global music star Rita Ora, Palace of Youth won the Audience Award at Dokufest 2025. Rita Ora’s support drew attention across Kosovo, with her public endorsement making local headlines.
