PRIX CIRCOM WINNER 2025
The documentary Lucky Lobster has won the Prix CIRCOM 2025 in the category of Best Documentary. This prestigious annual award celebrates the finest regional television productions from 47 European countries. Since 1990, the Prix CIRCOM has been regarded as the most important international accolade for regional programming within public broadcasting. A remarkable recognition for both the film and for autodidact and first-time filmmaker Els Remijn.
the film is masterfully executed: camerawork and editing draw viewers directly into the world of the boat, almost as if they are sitting beside the fisherman, experiencing the highs and lows of his daily life. The understated visual style allows the story to unfold naturally, with a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea. Balancing humour with melancholy, Lucky Lobster is both a tragically comic tale and a moving meditation on identity, pride and the inevitable passing of time. It is a film full of heart, authenticity and quiet strength, one that left a lasting impression on the jury.
PRIX CIRCOM 2025
The Prix CIRCOM is the leading European award for regional television productions. Since 1990, this annual competition has honoured the best work from public broadcasters across Europe. It is widely seen as a hallmark of quality within the world of regional documentary and television.
From 47 European countries, all regional public broadcasters were invited to submit their very best work free of charge in a variety of categories, including Documentary, Music & Arts, and Investigative Journalism. The selected entries competed for a total prize fund of €40,000. Since 2025, productions without European broadcast rights have also been eligible—an important change that, according to CIRCOM, ensures the very best production can be recognised, regardless of distribution limitations.
Lucky Lobster is a tragicomic portrait of Cor Fondse, a striking former fisherman who lives on his fishing boat in the harbour of Breskens. As the world around him modernises, Cor clings to his own rules, traditions, and way of life. The film offers an intimate and at times humorous insight into how he navigates a rapidly changing world. Amidst Eastern Scheldt lobster, eel, and oysters, a story unfolds about holding on and letting go—about time, tradition, and impermanence.
Lucky Lobster is the debut film of self-taught filmmaker Els Remijn. Over the years, she filmed Cor with minimal resources. NEWTON film supported her with creative coaching, editing and post-production by Ton van Zantvoort. Later, regional broadcaster Omroep Zeeland joined the project and submitted the film for the Prix CIRCOM, which it went on to win.
Jury Report
Lucky Lobster is an affectionate and affecting portrait of an old Zeeland fisherman and his loyal dog, representatives of a disappearing way of life. Set in the port of Breskens, the film captures the quiet resilience of a man who continues to live and work aboard his fishing vessel, holding onto tradition in the face of encroaching modernisation. As the harbour transforms around him and threatens his livelihood, he paradoxically becomes something of a local attraction, with tourists lining up not just for a taste of his food, but for a glimpse into his character.
The film paints a vivid picture of this gruff yet deeply human protagonist: rude, charming, melancholic, joyful, stubborn all at once. His emotional range is presented without filters and the result is a portrayal that feels sincere and intimate. The loneliness of his daily routine is captured so powerfully that it
resonates well beyond the screen.
From a technical standpoint, the film is masterfully executed: camerawork and editing draw viewers directly into the world of the boat, almost as if they are sitting beside the fisherman, experiencing the highs and lows of his daily life. The understated visual style allows the story to unfold naturally, with a rhythm that mirrors the ebb and flow of the sea. Balancing humour with melancholy, Lucky Lobster is both a tragically comic tale and a moving meditation on identity, pride and the inevitable passing of time. It is a film full of heart, authenticity and quiet strength, one that left a lasting impression on the jury.
Complete Jury Report
This year’s Prix CIRCOM Documentary category showcased a rich and diverse range of entries, each marked by distinct approaches and storytelling styles. The jury was impressed by the variety and ambition displayed across the board. A recurring observation was the frequent departure from traditional documentary structures. Many of the works adopted hybrid or experimental forms, blurring the lines between genres. While this creative freedom was appreciated, it also posed challenges during the evaluation process, as some entries might have been more appropriately placed in different categories
that better reflected their narrative intentions.
The documentaries submitted dealt with a wide spectrum of pressing social and human themes. From intimate portrayals of personal resilience to impactful investigative reports, the selection illustrated the breadth and sensitivity of today’s documentary filmmaking. Despite occasional divergences from conventional formats, the jury found many of the films deeply engaging. They offered new perspectives and invited the viewer into unique worlds, often with emotional
authenticity and narrative innovation.
The jury was particularly moved by the heartfelt storytelling and emotional depth present throughout the category. The winning film, Lucky Lobster from Omroep Zeeland (The Netherlands), was especially praised for its tender depiction of a sea captain and his faithful dog, capturing a vanishing lifestyle with warmth, humor, and understated elegance. A commendation was awarded to Agony (Bol) from RTS Belgrade (Serbia), a powerful documentary centred on the parents of children lost in a mass shooting. The strength of this film lay in its raw, unembellished testimonies and minimalist direction, allowing the
emotional gravity of the story to resonate with unforgettable impact. This year’s entries demonstrated a confident and evolving documentary voice — one that embraces both experimentation and emotional honesty, offering the viewer a valuable opportunity to pause, reflect and truly listen.
Mariangela Borneo
RAI, Italy
JURY
Chair Mariangela Borneo RAI Italy
Gorka Garcia EITB, Basque Country Spain
Darko Flajpan HRT Zagreb Croatia
Claudia Schubert ORF, Landesstudio Niederösterreich Austria
Bill MacLeod MG Alba, Scotland UK
Anne-Catherine Nanopoulos France 3 Alsace France
