About

In a remote North Macedonian village, 15-year-old Ahmet has been pulled out of school by his grieving father to herd sheep and care for his younger brother Naim, who hasn't spoken since their mother's death. His father has banned music from the household entirely. But Ahmet's passion for electronic dance music, nurtured at secret forest raves, gives him a lifeline. When Aya, a neighbour who has been living in Germany, returns to the village for an arranged marriage, the two are drawn together. Their blossoming, forbidden romance scandalises the conservative community, as Ahmet learns to defy tradition and find his voice.

Starring Arif Jakup, Agush Agushev, Dora Akan Zlatanova

AWARDS AND FESTIVALS
Sundance Film Festival: Winner, 3 awards inc Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema - Dramatic
Seattle International Film Festival: Winner, Special Jury Prize; Nominee, 2 awards inc Best Film
Seville European Film Festival: Winner, Best Actor; Nominee, Best Film
South East European Film Festival Los Angeles: Winner, 2 awards inc Best Feature Film
Desertscape International Film Festival: Winner, Best Feature Film

REVIEWS
"... DJ Ahmet is less about music than it is about rhythm – rhythm as kinship, but also the unspoken dialogue that serves us during unrefined years of youth." Rafa Sales Ross, Sight & Sound

"A quiet little underdog story, but with enough charm to engage any audience. Plus, there's a pink sheep who is frankly iconic." Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence

"With every perfectly timed joke, including those involving Ahmet's missing sheep, one's admiration for Unkovski's artistic vision grows given the tonal feat he accomplishes." Carlos Aguilar, Variety

"The film playfully critiques certain Muslim customs, but never in a demeaning way..." Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter