The Winning Generation
The Netherlands2026documentary101'Documentary competition
For 12 years the camera had followed a young Armenian activist who, over time, became a politician and is fighting for the sovereignty of his country, which remains under constant threat from Moscow. Perhaps Shahen had no other choice – he is already the fourth generation in his family to be involved in politics, and for that reason he has experienced various forms of repression. We can see the dynamic picture of the country undergoing change, its fragile democracy and intergenerational tensions. Before our very eyes, the protagonist transforms from an angry 14-year-old into a man who accepts a great deal of responsibility and struggles with his family legacy.
- directed by
- Marco de StefanisQ&A guest
An Italian director who, after studying physics, chose a very different career path. He has worked on numerous TV programs and filmed documentaries around the world. Since 2001, he has lived in the Netherlands, working as a freelance documentary filmmaker and teaching at the SAE Institute and the University of Amsterdam. His latest feature-length documentary, 'Waiting for Giraffes', premiered in IDFA’s competition, was selected for CPH:DOX, and won several festival awards.
- cinematography
- Armen Baghinyan
- script
- Marco de Stefanis, Lies Janssen, Ofelya Zalyan
- music
- Paolo Spaccamonti, G.u.p. Alcaro
- editing
- Ruben van der Hammen
- production
- Esther van Driesum, Rosalien Hollestelle, Joram Willink (BIND)
- Photo
