Ji.hlava IDFF returned October 26 to offer over three hundred films from sixty-three countries to the public both live and online. The entire film programme is more than twelve thousand minutes long and it would take eight and a half days of continuous watching, the festival points out. The anniversary edition of the festival kicked off with When Flowers Are Not Silent by Belarusian director Andrei Kutsila that captures the atmosphere in Belarus after last year’s presidential election.
The Opening Ceremony featured the presentation of the first prizes, including the traditional award for the best short film was also presented. In the Short Joy section, the winners were chosen by viewers who voted via the DAFilms portal.
The award went to Colombian-Portuguese Open Mountain by Colombian filmmaker Maria Rojas Arias that deals with a long-forgotten revolution. In July 1929, a group of cobblers organized a one-day revolution in a Colombian village in an attempt to improve the living and working conditions in the country. The witness and anarchist Aura believes their struggle continues to this day.
“This year, Short Joy offered a remarkable representation of the contemporary world. However, the weight of the current problems must not eliminate the lessons of the past. One such lesson was provided in Open Mountain, a film made of found footage that come together to create an exquisite audiovisual experience. We’re happy to see the audience vote for this particular movie,” said Diana Tabakov, the Executive Director at DAFilms.
Diana Tabakov also introduced a new project by DAFilms – DAFilms Junior that provides an innovative content for children from three to twelve years of age.
The Respekt Award for the best TV, video and online investigative reportage was granted by the jury to the reportage collage A Look at Babiš and his Rallies, or What his PR Will Never Reveal by Václav Dolejší.
The award for outstanding producer’s contribution was also presented at the Opening Ceremony. APA World Excellence Award was given to Jacques Bidou, producer of Fools (1997), Thomas in Love (2000) and Ni con Dios ni con el diablo (1989) and whose recent works include Sergei Loznitsa’s Donbass (2018) and Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness by Massoud Bakhshi (Grand Prix Sundance 2020).
The Best Documentary Book Award, described as “this year’s novelty”, went to The Taste of Mulberries / Travel Message of the Wizard’s Apprentice by Miloslav Nevrlý.
The 25th Ji.hlava IDFF will run October 26 to 31 2021.
