The Tale of Silyan

Directed by Tamara Kotevska

North Macedonia

2025

80 mins

Oscar-nominated Tamara Kotevska’s (Honeyland, SFF 2019) remarkable new documentary follows a Macedonian farmer and an injured stork, whose unlikely friendship transforms a solitary life. Venice, 2025.

Nikola has worked the land he loves for his entire life, but new government policies leave him unable to sustain his farm. With his family forced to seek work abroad, he is left alone, until a chance encounter at a landfill brings an injured white stork into his life. Nursing Silyan back to health, Nikola discovers a companion who fills the emptiness left by those he loves. Inspired by a 17th-century Macedonian folktale, award-winning documentarian Tamara Kotevska crafts a visually stunning, tender story of survival, connection and the fragile bond between humans and nature. Winner, Best Film, Cinema and Arts Award at Venice.

“An absolute charmer, The Tale of Silyan is an affecting look at the human-avian bond, with all its mysteries, warmth and ungainly practicalities.”

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter

Tickets

Sat 6 June 2026, 4:15pm

State Library of NSW

Sun 7 June 2026, 2pm

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

Sun 14 June 2026, 4:30pm

Palace Norton Street - Cinema 3

Palace Norton St - Cinema 3

See more, save more with a Flexipass or Youth Pass

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

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