A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY BY
FIONA LLOYD-DAVIES
The Defence of Humanity
From 4th May 1992 for 1,336 days, the Bosnian town of Goražde stood surrounded.
Nestled deep within a valley, straddling the Drina River, it became the last remaining Bosniak enclave in eastern Bosnia to survive the 1992-1995 war. As surrounding towns and villages were overrun and their populations driven from their homes, tens of thousands of people sought refuge there. What had once been a prosperous industrial town became both a sanctuary and a prison. Its bridges, apartment blocks, forests and the Drina became witnesses to everything that followed.
Drawn from years of research, rare archival material and intimate eyewitness testimony, the film tells the story of the only enclave in eastern Bosnia to survive the war.
But this is more than the story of a siege.
It is the story of a town that refused to surrender its humanity.
More than thirty years later, Goražde reminds us that history is not shaped only by those who command armies or negotiate peace. It is also shaped by those who choose, day after day, to protect life, uphold dignity and preserve hope when everything around them is falling apart.
Beyond the Film
The UNCONQUERED Legacy Project is dedicated to preserving the history of Goražde and exploring the international decisions that shaped its fate.
Developed in partnership with the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute at the University of Connecticut, together, we are creating a permanent archive of interviews, research, documents and selected film materials, ensuring that the voices of those who experienced the siege are preserved for future generations.
Alongside the film, we are developing an international programme of community screenings, public discussions and educational events across Bosnia and Herzegovina and internationally. By bringing together survivors, young people, historians, policymakers and audiences, these events will encourage dialogue across generations and create opportunities to reflect on the enduring relevance of the story.
The untold story of the incredible resilience of a town under siege in overcoming the unspeakable threat of genocide, despite the failure of world leaders and politicians.
“This compelling story needs to be both heard and preserved, and this vital project will establish an important legacy for future generations be they academic researchers, diplomats, peacekeepers, policy makers or the general public.”
PROFESSOR KENNETH MORRISON
Academic, author and former Specialist Advisor on the Western Balkans to the House of Lords, De Montfort University
Recent Developments
EXCLUSIVE ARCHIVE ACCESS
The production has secured exclusive access to film material from Ratko Mladić's wartime diaries, as part of the archives from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia
AIB AWARD NOMINATION
Battle of the Drina, Studio 9 Films’ BBC Radio 4 documentary about the siege of Gorazde, has been shortlisted for Investigative Documentary of the year at the Association for International Broadcast Awards 2026
SELECTED FOR MEDIMED
UNCONQUERED has been selected for MEDIMED, the international documentary market in Sitges
BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA DISTRIBUTION
The project has attracted interest from a leading Bosnian distributor regarding a theatrical release across the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina
Completion
The film is seeking completion finance and strategic partners to support the final stages of production and post-production.
The project has a US fiscal sponsor, providing an established mechanism for philanthropic support from eligible US donors and foundations.
COMPLETION FINANCE / CO-PRODUCTION / PARTNERSHIPS
We are currently open to conversations with potential financing, co-production, distribution and strategic partners.