“Erkən hisslər” (“Early Feelings”), a short fiction film made with the support of the Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ARKA), was screened in the main competition of the Linz International Short Film Festival, held in Austria on 14–17 October 2026, and received a Special Mention for Directing (Special Mention — Best Directing). The film is written and directed by Nurlan Hasanli.

The coming-of-age drama is set during the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Eleven-year-old Ziya encounters death for the first time when a woman in his neighbourhood passes away. As he tries to make sense of these feelings, he falls for a girl who has moved in from the city, only to learn that two other boys in the neighbourhood like her too. Football plays a special role in the film: Ziya’s father supports Türkiye while Ziya supports Brazil, adding further tension between father and son.

“Early Feelings” had its world premiere at the Krakow Film Festival in Poland and has won Best Film in the national competition of the Baku International Film Festival, Best Director at the Umut Youth Forum in Kyrgyzstan and Best Film at the Baikonur Film Festival in Kazakhstan. The film was also presented in the Short Film Corner of the Cannes Film Festival and at the market of the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival.

The Cinema Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan congratulates the film’s creative team and wishes them continued success.