Sundance World Dramatic Competition Selection ‘DJ Ahmet’ Boarded For Sales By Films Boutique

EXCLUSIVE: Films Boutique has picked up international sales rights to Georgi M. Unkovski’s feature debut DJ Ahmet, which has just been selected to world premiere in Sundance’s World Dramatic Competition.

The North Macedonian writer-director will return to Park City where his short film Sticker premiered in 2020.

The Turkish and Macedonian-language film follows Ahmet, a 15-year-old boy from a remote Yuruk village in North Macedonia, who finds refuge in music while navigating his father’s expectations, a conservative community, and his first experience with love — a girl already promised to someone else.

Pic is a coproduction between North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Serbia and Croatia. Starring are Arif Jakup, Agush Agushev, Dora Akan Zlatanova, Aksel Mehmet, Selpin Kerim, Atila Klince.

Producers are Ivan Unkovski, Ivana Shekutkoska. Co-producers are Michal Kracmer, Veronika Kuhrova, Igor Kecman, Jelena Mitrovic, Katarina Prpic, Vladimir Anastasov and Angela Nestorovska.

Films Boutique said today: “Love at first sight is what happens to Ahmet when Aya appears in his life. It is exactly what happened to us when we discovered Ahmet, his brother Naim and the colorful cast of Georgi’s film for the first time. Both incredibly moving and funny, topped by the first-class cinematography of Naum Doksevski (Housekeeping for Beginners), this gem of a film will give the audience a unique opportunity to discover the rich cultural and visual landscape of North Macedonia.”

The film is produced by Cinema Futura (North Macedonia) and co-produced with Alter Vision (Czech Republic), Backroom Production (Serbia), 365 Films (Croatia), Analog Vision (Czech Republic), Film House Bas Celik (Serbia) and Sektor Film (North Macedonia).

It was made with the support of the North Macedonia Film Agency, Eurimages, Czech Film Fund, Serbian Film Center, Croatian Audiovisual Centre, SEE Cinema Network.

DoP Doksevski recently lensed Housekeeping For Beginners, which was picked up by Focus Features and playing at Venice, Toronto, Busan and a host of festivals.