Blerta Basholli • Kosovo-Switzerland-Albania-North Macedonia • 2021 • Kosovo's 2021 Oscar Submission

Fahrije exists in a liminal space, in between fading hope and blooming grief ever since her husband went missing during the war in Kosovo. In order to provide for her struggling family, she pulls the other widows in her community together to launch a business selling homemade ajvar, a roasted pepper paste. Together, they find healing and solace in considering a future without their husbands—but their will to begin living independently is met with hostility from men in their village.

Set against the backdrop of civil unrest and lingering misogyny, Hive weaves a culturally specific yet universally resonant tale of perseverance in the face of adversity. Blerta Basholli’s feature film debut premiered at Sundance, where it became the first film in history to win three awards—the Audience Award, Best Director, and the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize. Hive was selected as the Kosovan entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.