The expet jury decision

 

The expert jury of the First International Festival of Theatre for Children and Youth The Smile of Niš, held in Niš from 24 to 29 November 2025, composed of: Vitomir Mitrić, theatre and film director (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Chair; Vjera Vidov, actress and director (Croatia), member; and Sofija Lučić, set and costume designer (Serbia), member; has watched a total of nine performances in the competition programme and, at the meeting held on 29 November 2025, reached the following decision:

 

Three equal instances of The Smile of Niš Award go to:

1. The ensemble of the play Puss in Boots of the Puppet Theatre Niš, Serbia

The ensemble of Puss in Boots, with its wit and lively performance, brought genuine joy and laughter to the point of tears. The team behind this production succeeded in transforming a classic story into an engaging piece of theatre, enriched with a musical collage full of cheerfulness and imagination.

 

2. Cristian Brătoiu for the roles of the Teacher and the Priest in the production of Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania

With his innovative use of movement and facial expression, Cristian Brătoiu conveys to the audience two entirely different characters, both of whom command the stage with confidence: the Teacher and the Priest in the production of Red Shoes of the Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania.

 

3. Dejan Đonović for the role of Granddad in the production of Magic Stone, City Theatre Podgorica, Montenegro

Dejan Đonović is recognised for his artistic dedication and for the subtle, precise animation of the Granddad puppet, to which he brings a distinctive warmth and dynamic presence in the production of Magic Stone, City Theatre Podgorica, Montenegro.

 

 

 

The Smile of Niš Special Award goes to

Puppet Theatre Niš, Srbija

For an outstanding contribution to the development of puppetry and for the ability to win over the youngest audiences with pure humour and warmth. The production of Puss in Boots is a worthy recipient of The Smile of Niš Award.

 

 

 

 

The Smile of Niš Special Award goes to

Natalia Gočeva for the production The Goose Girl, State Puppet Theatre Sliven, Bulgaria

The jury presents this award to Natalia Gočeva for her exceptionally imaginative and functional puppet design. The puppets in the production of The Goose Girl, State Puppet Theatre Sliven, Bulgaria, are distinguished by precise craftsmanship, aesthetic refinement, and technical completeness, enabling the actors to achieve subtle animation and thereby making a significant contribution to the visual identity of the play.

 

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Original Music goes to

Cari Tibor for the production of Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania

The award for music is presented to Cari Tibor for the original musical concept that fully serves the production. Through the fusion of movement, music, and acting performance, an expressive dance dramaturgy has been created – one that conveys the action, reveals the inner worlds of the characters, and gives the play a distinctive aesthetic signature. With its subtlety, dramaturgical precision, and creativity, the musical score has become an essential bearer of the poetics of Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania.

 

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Costume goes to

Cristina Milea for the production of Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania

Through thoughtful transformations, visual accents, and the aesthetic messages of the production, Cristina Milea has created a distinctive and striking visual identity. With her imagination, stylisation, simplicity, and careful choice of colours, textures, and materials, the costumes clearly shaped the characters, supported the stage movement, and enhanced the atmosphere of the story in Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania.

 

 

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Scenography or overall stage design of the performance goes to

Mario Tomašević for the production of The Utopia, Puppet Theatre Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

With his innovative approach, Mario Tomašević has created a functional, thoughtfully conceived, and visually clear scenography design that remarkably supports the dramaturgy and rhythm of the play. The stage space, simple in its form yet rich in symbolism, enabled dynamic transformations and seamless puppetry, thereby significantly contributing to the overall poetics and aesthetics of the production.

 

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Text goes to

Vanja Jovanović for the production of The Utopia, Mostar Puppet Theatre, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Through original and poetic dramaturgy, and with a symbolic and carefully considered dramatic language, Vanja Jovanović creates a powerful stage world that leaves a profound impression on the audience. The jury recognises this text as an outstanding authorial contribution to the success of The Utopia, Puppet Theatre Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Direction goes to

Baczó Tündu for the direction and choreography of the production of Red Shoes, Merlin Children’s and Youth Theatre, Timișoara, Romania

The award is presented to Baczó Tündu for an imaginative direction that successfully transforms the classic story of Red Shoes into a contemporary stage language accessible to young audiences. The directorial concept is clearly defined, emotionally powerful, and consistently executed, skilfully combining symbolism, rhythm, and visual accents. The choreography has made a particularly significant contribution to creating a dynamic stage picture.

 

 

The Smile of Niš Grand Prix for Best Performance goes to

The Utopia, Puppet Theatre Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The jury unanimously awards the Grand Prix to The Utopia, Puppet Theatre Mostar, for its artistic impact and the coherence of its stage expression. This production stands out for its powerful dramaturgy, original directorial approach, and high level of aesthetic sophistication, resulting in an exceptional ensemble harmony.

 

All decisions were made unanimously.

 

 

 

The children’s jury decision

 

 

The children’s jury of the First International Festival of Theatre for Children and Youth The Smile of Niš, held in Niš from 24 to 29 November 2025, composed of: Ljudmila Đorđević, Mihajlo Krstić, Vukašin Paunović, Martina Petković i Danka Stojanović has watched a total of nine performances in the competition programme and, at the meeting held on 29 November 2025, reached the following decision:

 

The Smile of Niš Award for Best Performance goes to: Magic Stone, City Theatre Podgorica (Montenegro)