Tanja Kochovska and Toni Mihajlovski honoured at Nikšić 2026

Tanja Kochovska and Toni Mihajlovski, leading actors of the Macedonian National Theatre, were honoured at the 22nd International Festival of the Actor – Nikšić 2026 with individual festival awards for their work in the theatre’s production "Fear and Hope".

The jury's praise

The festival jury singled out Kochovska with the award for Best Female Performance and Mihajlovski with the award for Best Male Episodic Role, underlining their scenes together as especially striking. The production was presented in an adaptation and directed by Tatjana Mandić Rigonat as part of this year’s programme.

In explaining the decision, the jury said: "It was a true pleasure to watch these two actors, especially in the scene where they perform as partners. Their playing was tragicomic, filled with human warmth. With their inspired acting they made our decision easy." The jury was composed of Miodrag Krivokapic, president and prominent stage artist and actor, Danica Maksimovic, and Stevan Vukovic.

Festival recognition for both performers adds to a string of acknowledgements they have received at various theatre festivals for different productions, reinforcing the value and recognisability of their joint work.

At the awards ceremony the prizes were accepted on behalf of the actors by the director of the Macedonian National Theatre, Nikola Kimovski.

"It is a rarity and a special honour to receive an award at a festival dedicated to the actor. The actor without whom the characters would remain living only on paper, and the stage would be empty. The actor who on stage stands before us as a mirror. Gratitude from the heart," said Nikola Kimovski, director of the Macedonian National Theatre.

Photo: press material from the event