BYD and Mediawan's Build Your Dream Award goes to Ukrainian film Honeymoon
The first edition of the Build Your Dream Award, created by automaker BYD and studio Mediawan, was awarded to Zhanna Ozirna's film Honeymoon during a ceremony in Cannes on May 14, 2026.
- €40,000
- 14
- First (2026)
What Happened
BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of new energy vehicles, and Mediawan, a European studio, have announced that the film Honeymoon, directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Zhanna Ozirna, won the first edition of the Build Your Dream Award. The prize was awarded on May 14 during a ceremony in Cannes, honoring a debut feature film released theatrically in France between Cannes film festivals.
“I’m incredibly thankful and moved to receive the ‘Build Your Dream Award’. I started making this film with a desire to speak about my generation — young, creative and intellectually free people whose lives were suddenly transformed by war. In a time when making independent cinema in Ukraine has become especially difficult, this support feels deeply meaningful.”
€40,000
To support the winner's creative journey.
“The jury unanimously agreed to award Zhanna Ozirna for Honeymoon. We were deeply impressed by the film’s remarkable cinematic strength. Through its precise direction and emotional intensity, Honeymoon transforms a confined space into a profoundly affecting experience.”
- Chen Kaige (Chair)
- Mélanie Laurent
- Hafsia Herzi
- Yann Demange
- Thierry Chèze
Why this matters
The award supports emerging filmmakers and underscores BYD's commitment to cultural initiatives beyond automotive.
Terms in This Story
- New energy vehicles (NEV)
- Vehicles powered by alternative energy sources, such as electricity or hydrogen.
- Debut feature film
- A filmmaker's first full-length movie.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.