At this year’s jubilee edition of the Verzió Film Festival's DocLab program, the professional awards were announced, with The Grandfather Puzzle, a Hungarian project, receiving the most recognition. The distinguished national and international awards – including the HBO Development Award, FocusFox post-production support, and the MADOKE mentorship – not only serve as professional validation but also provide significant opportunities for the creators to introduce their projects into the international documentary film industry.
One of the key events of the 10-year-old DocLab at Verzió International Human Rights Film Festival was the project presentation day, where five international (Georgian, Spanish, Italian, Finnish, Ukrainian) and one Hungarian documentary projects were showcased. Another important milestone was that, in cooperation with the Hungarian Documentary Association (MADOKE), four additional Hungarian projects were given the opportunity to present themselves to the audience and international industry representatives — including the HBO representative, foreign film festival delegates, international and Hungarian producers.
The purpose of the DocLab and Hun Docs Cookin’ awards is to support the professional development of documentary creators, assist the progress of their projects, and strengthen their visibility in the international documentary landscape.
Awarded Projects of Verzió DocLab
HBO DEVELOPMENT AWARD
HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery are committed to supporting the development of local documentary films. HBO offered a €1,500 development grant to help support documentary projects and foster unique ideas and visions that may potentially become HBO content.
Winner: The Grandfather Puzzle A granddaughter travels to Hungary to photograph the locations linked to her 100-year-old Holocaust survivor grandfather’s escape story, turning them into unique jigsaw puzzles. Together they piece together the past: the man’s buried memories intertwine with the granddaughter’s search for roots. This intimate film explores generational trauma and the possibility of finding one’s way home. The project is produced by Matchframe, known for Agent of Happiness.
Director: Ora DeKornfeld
Producers: Máté Artur Vincze, Noémi Veronika Szakonyi
Editor: Ora DeKornfeld
FOCUSFOX AWARD
FocusFox, a Hungarian production and post-production company, provides 18 hours of Baselight Digital Broadcast color grading valued at €2,700. The grading will take place at the FocusFox studio under the guidance of senior colorist Szabolcs Barta.
Winner: The Grandfather Puzzle
DAE ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
The European Documentary Association (DAE) offers the winning project’s producer a one-year membership and personalized consultation sessions with a DAE specialist.
Winner: Inherited Shadow A story of self-discovery and processing trauma through the Finnish tradition of lament songs.
Director: Mariana Reyes
Producer: Kaarle Aho
Editor: Mauri Lähdesmäki
Special Mention: East of Hope
Director: Réka Ugron
Producer: Monica Lăzurean-Gorgan
Editor: Réka Ugron
WHAT A DAE! AWARD
The Verzió Film Festival offered a €1,000 prize to support one project’s participation at the 76th Berlinale in February 2026. The European Documentary Association (DAE) additionally offers accreditation to the European Film Market. The award aims to highlight emerging European documentary filmmakers during the Doc Around Europe networking programs and reception at the Berlinale.
Winner: The Grandfather Puzzle
MADOKE x Verzió: Hun Docs Cookin’ Awarded Projects
ON THE SPOT AWARD – Best Hungarian Documentary in Development
On the Spot, a multi-award-winning documentary series focused on social and environmental issues, offered a €1,000 prize to support bold, curious, and personal documentary voices.
Winner: Borders of Belonging A personal and creative journey sparked by an incident at a dinner in Chicago where the director is labeled racist, shaking her sense of identity. To process this, she embarks on a 40-day journey across America, meeting people of diverse worldviews.
Director: Júlia Ubrankovics
Producers: Jan Maduro, Júlia Ubrankovics
Associate Producer: Chip Warren
Editor: László Hargittai
BEST HUNGARIAN PROJECT AWARD – MADOKE
MADOKE awarded the Best Hungarian Project and will support the team through long-term mentorship.
Winner: Home is a Dollhouse A personal documentary about reconnecting with an estranged mother. The director grew up surrounded by absence and unanswered questions after her mother moved to Los Angeles. Through archives, reenacted memory scenes, and collaborative filmmaking, the film follows their attempt to rebuild their relationship.
Director: Dorottya Márton
Producer: Anna Tóth
Editor: Dorottya Márton
SOCIAL CAPTION AWARD – Best Hungarian-Language Film
SocialCaption aims to bridge Hungarian film and English-speaking audiences by creating subtitles that preserve cultural nuance. They offered an English subtitle package valued at €700.
Winner: Home is a Dollhouse
“We are incredibly proud of the high quality of both international and Hungarian projects showcased in the 10th DocLab,” said Fanni Hatházi, director of Verzió DocPro and MADOKE board member. “It was amazing to see talented filmmakers present their work to international audiences and decision-makers. We hope this momentum continues and that they receive further support to complete their films.”
