"The work of Želimir Žilnik is deeply etched in the history of world cinema as the voice of the oppressed and humiliated, the voice of individuals and marginal groups, as a rebellion against any repressive social system. The consistency of his struggle is proved by the fact that there is hardly any European post-war ideology which he has not disputed, leaving behind a document that lasts and remains as the evidence of the time he worked in", it is said in the explanation of the Festival.

"As a driving force of the Yugoslav 'black wave', he introduced this movement to the world cinema with his Early Works (1969), which was awarded the Golden Bear in Berlin. In addition to filmmaking, Želimir Žilnik has made a huge contribution to the independent film scene through education of young film enthusiasts, numerous workshops and lectures held in our region and across Europe", it is further explained.

Underground Spirit Award, currently ERSTE Underground Spirit, was established in 2008 as an award for outstanding contribution in the field of independent filmmaking and unique poetics created outside the mainstream film industry. Previous winners of this award are French director F. J. Ossang and German director Uli M. Schueppel.

Želimir Žilnik will receive the award at the opening ceremony of the European Film Festival Palić.