The international Heritage in Motion (HIM) 2026 awards were presented at Bled Castle, recognising innovative digital, multimedia and audiovisual projects in the field of cultural heritage. The Overall Winner is the Belgian project Water & Land.
The awards ceremony was the highlight of the first stand-alone Heritage in Motion Festival, held in Bled on 29 and 30 September. The two-day event brought together museum professionals, creators, filmmakers, digital heritage experts and representatives of cultural institutions from numerous countries.
More than 30 projects from 19 countries across Europe and beyond were submitted for this year’s competition, including entries from Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore and Israel. Eighteen finalists were presented as part of the festival programme, including two projects connected with Slovenia.
This year’s selection demonstrated an exceptional diversity of approaches to presenting cultural heritage – from digital and interactive experiences and VR, AR and XR technologies to film, contemporary storytelling and new forms of audience engagement. The projects showed how contemporary technologies can bring heritage closer to new generations, making it more accessible, understandable and engaging.
The 2026 Award Winners are:
- The Heritage in Motion 2026 Overall Winner is Water & Land. Intangible Heritage as a Driver for a Climate-Resilient Future from Belgium. The project also received the award in the Audiovisual Heritage category. Video
- New Digital Experiences: AGLAIA – ARIADNE Glossary in Italian Sign Language and International Sign for Archaeology, Italy.
- Virtual, Augmented and Extended Reality: Fighting with Words. In a Clandestine Printing Shop, Poland. Video
- Audiovisual Heritage: Water & Land. Intangible Heritage as a Driver for a Climate-Resilient Future, Belgium. Video
- Museums in Short: That’s what the canoe gives you, Canada.
Awards Ceremony at Bled Castle
The ceremony was hosted by Darja Pretnar and opened with a musical performance by accordionist Špela Šemrl. Guests were welcomed by Mag. Lea Ferjan, Director of the Bled Culture Institute. The awards were presented by Dr Andreja Rihter, President of the European Museum Academy and Director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures; Massimo Negri, Scientific Director of the European Museum Academy; René Capovin, Director of MUSIL – Museum of Industry and Labour in Brescia and founder of Museums in Short; Dr Stojan Pelko, Director of the Slovenian Cinematheque and Coordinator of the HIM 2026 Jury; Andrea Bellavite, Director of the Foundation of the Basilica of Aquileia and a member of the HIM jury; and Terry Stevens, internationally recognised expert in tourism, cultural development and heritage experiences.
Heritage in Motion as a Stand-Alone Festival for the First Time
This year, Heritage in Motion was held for the first time as a stand-alone two-day festival. For two days, Bled became a meeting point for finalists, members of the international jury, cultural heritage professionals and filmmakers. The programme brought together presentations, screenings and expert discussions.
The festival also marked the first collaboration with the international Museums in Short award, which recognises short films about cultural heritage and presented a special award in Bled.
The festival was organised by the Forum of Slavic Cultures, the European Museum Academy and the Bled Culture Institute, in cooperation with Museums in Short.
Photos: Boris Pretnar
