A chance discovery in Germany’s Neander Valley in 1856  opened the door to understanding our closest extinct relatives, the Neanderthals. Another discovery in Krapina, Croatia – 900 bones uncovered at the end of the 19th Century at what is still one of the world’s most important Neanderthal sites – forever changed the scientific view of these ancient humans. Cranium C – A Legacy of Global Paleoanthropological Heritage is centered around the mysterious Skull C, a fossil more than 130,000 years old whose frontal bone bears 35 unusual cut marks. Through analyses of bones, tools, and animal remains, this short doc reconstructs Neanderthal life in the harsh conditions of the Ice Age, challenging the stereotype of Neanderthals as primitive cave dwellers. The film concludes by presenting a striking discovery of modern genetics: Neanderthals did not disappear — their genes still live within us. The film thus becomes a reflection on human identity, reminding us that the story of humankind is neither simple nor linear, but deeply intertwined with beings we once believed were entirely different from ourselves.

Laura Sinovčić
First-time director Laura Sinovčić is an Executive Producer with a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, Croatia. Since joining the production company 4Film in 2015, Sinovčić has played a crucial role in numerous internationally recognized film projects. Her production credits include Associate Producer on Emin Alper’s Burning Days (2022), Infinity Pool (2022), which premiered at Sundance and Berlinale in 2023; and Executive Producer on the feature film Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day (2024), which became Croatia’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards. She is also the founder of Ziher, an NGO dedicated to promoting cultural values and fostering dialogue, whose online platform (Ziher.hr) has become a respected source of high-quality cultural and artistic coverage while also serving as a training ground for young journalists.