VUD, YOU WON
Directed by: Senad Šahmanović
Written by: Senad Šahmanović, Veljko Krulčić
Cinematography: Ivan Čojbašić, Dario Hacek, Ivana Marinić Kragić i Toni
Reanud
Editing: Vladimir Radovanović
Sound: Mićun Jauković
Producers: Jure Pavlović, Senad Šahmanović
Production: Pro Logic, Sekvenca
Co-producers: Miloš Ivanović, Marija Stojnić
Co-production company: Set Sails, RTCG, Zagreb Film
“Vude, You Won“ tells the story of the rise and fall of Dušan Vukotić, the only Oscar winner from Yugoslavia. When his film „Surogar“ became the first non-American animated film to win an Academy Award, Vukotić remained in Zagreb, unaware that he was witnessing a defining moment in the history of global animation.The Oscar cemented his status as a cultural icon but also made him a target of envy among less talented peers. Known as a workaholic devoted to his craft, Vukotić had the unwavering support of his wife, Lila Andres Vukotić, who gave up her acting career to stand by his side. In the 1990s, with the creation of a new state, he suffered humiliation when he was denied entry into Zagreb Film – the studio where he had spent most of his career. That moment marked a profound shift in his standing. Through this intimate yet political portrait, the film explores the key sociopolitical events of the era and highlights the global significance of a small country like Yugoslavia in the world of cinema – just as it was beginning to unravel.
Senad Šahmanović completed his undergraduate and specialist studies in Film and TV Directing at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Cetinje, and later enrolled in a Master’s program at the Academy of Performing Arts (ASU) in Sarajevo. His short films (Umir krvi, Put) have been screened at over 70 festivals and have received numerous awards, including the Grand Prix at the Drama International Short Film Festival in Greece. Since 2015, he worked as a director in the documentary department of the National Television of Montenegro, where he directed several docu-fiction projects including Živko Nikolić: An Unfulfilled Dream. His first feature film “Sirin“ was Montenegro’s official submission for the 2024 Academy Awards. The feature film and TV series Pontonovo srce were screened at festivals, in cinemas and on television, and won the Grand Golden Mimosa for Best Actor at the Montenegro Film Festival in Herceg Novi. He currently serves as the Editor of the Cultural and Arts Program at the National Television of Montenegro.