The Tale of Silyan: Tamara Kotevska’s Documentary Edges Closer to the Oscars After Dual Cinema Eye Honors Nominations

Tamara Kotevska’s documentary The Tale of Silyan has taken a major step toward the international awards season with two key nominations at the prestigious Cinema Eye Honors, one of the leading global recognitions for documentary filmmaking.

The film is nominated for the Audience Choice Prize, a category widely regarded as a strong predictor of future awards performance, including the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The nomination reflects significant viewer support, with Cinema Eye Honors noting that this category often signals which titles will gain momentum throughout the season.

Kotevska’s film also received a nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography, crediting cinematographer Jean Dakar for his distinctive visual approach and understated, cinematic style that shapes the film’s emotional tone.

Speaking about the recognition, Kotevska highlighted the impact of audience support: “Even though the film entered the Oscar campaign much later, Macedonian viewers stood behind it massively. These nominations show, once again, that culture has the power to unite us, even during intense political moments.”

Tamara Kotevska with Carolyn Bernstein – Executive Vice President at National Geographic (for Global Scripted Content and Documentary Films).

National Geographic has officially announced the U.S. premiere of The Story of Siljan, scheduled for November 28 and 29 at the IFC Center in New York, marking the film’s entry onto the larger American documentary stage.

With strong viewer backing, critical recognition, and increasing visibility in the U.S. market, The Tale of Silyan is emerging as one of the notable international contenders in this year’s documentary awards landscape.