“Sükut içində addımlar” (“Steps in Silence”), a feature-length documentary by director Fariz Ahmadov, received a Special Mention from the jury at the 18th NNW International Film Festival, held in Gdynia, Poland, on 1–4 October 2026. The festival programme featured 60 films from many countries.

The film is about the clearance of mines from the liberated territories of Karabakh. Its protagonists are an all-female demining team. The camera follows their daily lives as professionals facing hidden danger at every step, and at the same time as caring mothers and graceful women. The film reflects on danger and determination, fragility and strength, death and survival.

The film was written by Fariz Ahmadov and Ismayil Iman, with Arzu Aliyeva, President of the Baku Media Centre, as executive producer, Orman Aliyev as producer, Mateusz Czuchnowski as cinematographer. It is a co-production of the Baku Media Centre, Drygas Film Production and Polish Television (TVP), made with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Polish Film Institute.

Cinematographer Mateusz Czuchnowski won the Best Cinematography Award for his work on the film at the 66th Krakow Film Festival. “Steps in Silence” was also selected for the 2026 Astra Film Festival in Romania.