We are so proud to celebrate a truly special moment for documentary cinema and everyone who made this film possible.
The Forbidden Aunt (Zabranjena tetka) will celebrate its World Premiere on August 19, 2026, at 19:00 at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival, officially selected in competition for the Oscar®-qualifying Heart of Sarajevo for Best Documentary Feature Film.
Known worldwide for her roles in film and television (Birds of Prey, I, Tonya, Westworld, Love Me), Bojana Novaković steps behind the camera as director, writer, and co-cinematographer for an immensely personal journey.
What began as a plan to shoot a lighthearted exploration of her bohemian and eccentric Aunt Gordana—a woman Bojana was never allowed to fully know growing up—quickly evolved into something far deeper. Over 82 intimate minutes, The Forbidden Aunt uncovers four generations of Serbian women facing systemic patriarchal violence and long-kept silences. Bound by sharp Balkan humor, deep love, and shared survival, the women of Novaković’s family turn unbearable pain into a story of healing, connection, and truth.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to work on this extraordinarily brave film alongside outstanding professionals.
Where Sound Meets Memory and Emotion
For Miloš Drobnjaković, award-winning sound designer, shaping the emotional auditory experience and atmosphere of The Forbidden Aunt was a deeply moving experience.
The documentary brings together very different worlds: raw handheld home footage, fragile vintage VHS tapes, and vivid, dark-humored dramatic reenactments. Bringing these personal layers together meant extensive audio restoration, creating seamless transitions across different recording media, honoring both past and present events, and guiding the emotional arc across timelines. Working alongside the breathtaking original score by composers Janja Lončar and Vasil Hadžimanov, sound designer and re-recording mixer Miloš Drobnjaković set out to craft a soundscape that quietly carries the feelings words couldn’t always express.
“Designing the audio for a story this personal was a true labor of love. It was a privilege and a joy to help build the audio atmosphere behind such a brave film. Every decision was guided by deep respect for the family’s vulnerability and honesty.”
— Miloš Drobnjaković
Celebrating the Entire Film Team
Our warmest congratulations go out to every single person on the cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this project:
Director & Writer: Bojana Novaković
Producers: Gal Greenspan, Danielle Redford, Bojana Novaković, Milan Stojanović
Editor: Sonja Božić
Directors of Photography: Dušan Grubin, Bojana Novaković
Original Music: Janja Lončar, Vasil Hadžimanov
Sound Designer & Re-recording Mixer: Miloš Drobnjaković
Costume Designer: Milica Kolarić
Production: Sense Production, Contra Stories, Adelaide Film Festival
We cannot wait to watch The Forbidden Aunt touch the hearts of audiences on the world stage at the Sarajevo Film Festival and far beyond!
