The Docs-in-Progress awards were handed out at May 23 at the end of the market’s headline Doc Day. All awards…
DOCS-IN-PROGRESS AWARD: €10,000 cash prize and project follow-up by IEFTA – The International Emerging Film Talent Association. Winner: Island of the Winds. Directed by: Ya-Ting Hsu. Produced by: Ya-Ting HSU (Argosy Films and Media Productions, Taiwan), Huang YIN-YU (Moolin Films, Ltd. & Moolin Production, Co., Ltd, Taiwan & Japan), Baptiste BRUNNER (Wide Productions – La Cuisine aux Images, France). Country of production: Taiwan, Japan, France. Jury citation: [Given for] its patience, dedication and respectful way the filmmaker approached this grass-root movement with an engaged and passionate camera…for their intention to fight against oblivion and treat her characters with the dignity they deserve.
AL JAZEERA DOCUMENTARY AWARD: Al Jazeera Documentary to come in as co-producer, with a minimum contribution of $15,000. Winner: Once Upon a Time in a Forest (WT). Directed by: Virpi SUUTARI. Produced by: Virpi SUUTARI (Euphoria film oy, Finland) Country of production: Finland. Jury citation: It is a compelling project of ‘call to action.’ For its compelling storytelling, visually stunning cinematography. It engages the audience on an emotional level, stirring empathy and insiring a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world.
POST-PRODUCTION AWARD: €5,000 grant in post-production services, thanks to the participation of Hiventy, Technical Partner of the Festival de Cannes. Winner: Meril (WT). Directed by: Victoria VERSEAU. Produced by: Malin HÜBER (HER Film, Sweden), Mathilde RACZYMOW (Les Films du Bilboquet, France). Country of production: Sweden, France. Jury citation: For tackling an intimate experience with a powerful, personal and deep cinematic language
ALPHAPANDA AWARD: Two exclusive consultations on film marketing & social media, given by the Alphapanda team. Winner: Ever Since I Knew Myself. Directed by: Maka GOGALADZE Produced by: Maka GOGALADZE (Formo Production, Georgia), Anke PETERSEN & Lilian TIEYJEN (Jyoti Film, Germany). Country of production: Georgia, Germany. Jury citation: With a beautiful and intelligent parallel between personal and collective stories and because the subject of education is urgent worldwide and the tensions and pressure increase in our contemporary society, as children have been suffering from performance anxiety we believe that the Alphapanda Award will make a difference for the project Ever Since I Knew Myself by Maka Gogaladze
THINK-FILM IMPACT AWARD: A strategic impact workshop + an impact pitching coaching session, given by the Think-Film Impact Production team. Winner: Life. Directed by: Antonio CARO. Produced by: Michel TOLEDO (Tótem Producciones, Chile). Country of production: Chile. Jury citation: A film with a beautifully dedicated intention and approach that raises awareness about the Mapuche people in Chile and their struggles with modern society and for expanding the power of this message Film-Think Impact Award goes to LIFE by Antonio Caro, produced by Michael Toledo (Chile)
DAE AWARD: Free one-year memberships for the team, with all associated benefits, and a rough cut consultation with one of DAE’s senior advisors. Winner: A Distant Call. Directed by: Andrea SUWITO. Produced by: Finbar SOMERS (Umbra Motion Picture Company, United Kingdom), Mandy MARAHIMIN (Talamedia, Indonesia), Xavier ROCHER (La Fabrica Nocturna Cinéma, France). Country of production: Indonesia. Jury citation: Under the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community and with a unique access to the protagonist, we follow them making the difficult transition to conformity putting at risk an ancient culture. The DAE Award goes to A Distant Call by Andrea Suwiti (Indonesia)
DOCS IN ORBIT INVITATION AWARD: An invitation to be featured on the Docs in Orbit podcast, including an interview with the filmmaker to be launched for the film’s world premiere, and year-round exposure on the Docs in Orbit website and social media. Winner: The Soldier’s Lagoon. Directed by: Pablo ALVAREZ MESA. Produced by: Pablo ÁLVAREZ MESA. Country of production: Canada, Colombia. Jury citation: We would also like to extend an invitation to one project in particular that immediately captivated us with its atmospheric imagery and sound, conveying a deep reverence for the sacredness of land and indigenous futures while also shedding light on a history of extraction and the consequences it has on all life and the environment. Intrigued by the filmmaker’s artistic vision and independent process (working as director, cinematographer, and producer) we extend the Docs in Orbit Invitation Award to Pablo Alverez Mesa for The Soldiers Lagoon. We look forward to the resonance of this film and the chance to further explore your artistic approach on the occasion of its premiere.”
