The 22nd edition of the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) drew to a close March 16 as the major prizes were handed out.
The Geneva Grand Prize was awarded to Edward Lovelace’s Name Me Lawand, described as “a deeply moving narrative portraying the journey of a deaf Kurdish teenager in exile who discovers the power of communication, allowing him to embrace the world around him.”
The Sergio Vieira de Mello Prize was awarded to Mohamed Jabaly’s Life is Beautiful, described as “a Palestinian film showcased during a dedicated event honouring those who portray the narratives of the Palestinian people through documentaries, photography and film.”
The Fiction Grand Prize was jointly awarded to the Chechen film The Cage is Looking for a Bird by Malika Musaeva and the Chilean film The Settlers by Felipe Gálvez. The OMCT Prize was awarded to Jialing Zhang’s film Total Trust, which sheds light on how artificial intelligence is employed as a tool for mass surveillance in China.
The 22nd edition of the FIFDH continues until Sunday evening with a closing event crafted as a call to action: Re-enchanting hope facing global challenge. Additionally, the award-winning films will be screened again on Sunday afternoon at the city’s Cinémas du Grütli.
Many of the films selected for the Festival (doc and fiction) will also be available in theatres across French-speaking Switzerland: including There’s Still Tomorrow (C’é ancora domani) by Paola Cortellesi, Goodbye Juliaby Mohamed Kordofani, Green Border by Agnieszka Holland, as well as Omen by artist and director Baloji, The Hearing (L’Audition) by Lisa Gerig, and many more. Various screenings will also be organised by the Festival’s cultural mediation team throughout the year in the Canton of Geneva, starting with March 20th with the film We Will Not Fade Away by Alisa Kovalenko.
Additionally, all audiences will have the opportunity to view films across all of the festival’s forums, which will be available for replay on the Resources and Media section of the fifdh.org website.
The 23rd edition of the FIFDH will take place from March 7 to 16, 2025.
2024 WINNERS (DOCUMENTARY)
- GENEVA GRAND PRIZE: CHF 10,000 offered by the City of Geneva: Name Me Lawand by Edward Lovelace. Citation: “From a disability politics perspective, this film is progressive and powerful. The character of Lawand becomes politicized, embracing his deafness as integral to his identity rather than a barrier to overcome. Through immersive filmmaking and intricate sound design, we are pulled into the intimate odyssey of a young boy navigating childhood trauma and displacement, all while striving to find his place in today’s difficult world. A tribute to all the children out there, facing the incredible.”
- THE GILDA VIEIRA DE MELLO PRIZE, given in honour of her son Sergio Vieira de Mello. CHF 5,000 offered by the Barbara Hendricks Foundation for Peace and Reconciliation. Life is Beautiful by Mohamed Jabaly. Citation: “Gaza as depicted in Life is Beautiful no longer exists. Its streets, squares and the faces that populate filmmaker Mohamed Jabaly’s memories have been eradicated in the ongoing genocide in Palestine. What we are left with are the images that tell of the past, already under Israeli occupation. The violence of the borders, but also the solidarity and determination of an individual to lead a dignified existence. Cinema becomes the compass of an odyssey that takes us all to Gaza.”
- THE YOUTH JURY PRIZE, CHF 1,000 offered by Peace Brigades International (PBI). Photophobia by Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčik. Citation: “A film distinguished by its refined and poetic aesthetic. It tactfully balances subtlety, delicacy, and humour, yet remains poignant in its portrayal of the harsh realities of war. The film illuminates a broader humanitarian issue that extends beyond the political landscape of the conflict in Ukraine, focusing on the story of Nikita, a child trapped along with numerous others in the depths of a subway station mere kilometres from the front lines.”
- FOCUS COMPETITION. OMCT PRIZE. CHF 5,000 offered by the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). Given to a filmmaker whose work exemplifies their dedication to human rights, to support the development of their upcoming film project. Total Trust by Jialing Zhang. Citation: “Unveiling what appears to be a real-life Orwellian 1984 scenario, the documentary vividly portrays the persecution of Chinese human rights defenders and exposes the use of cutting-edge state surveillance technology tools to tightly control the lives of millions of people. This disconcerting image of rising authoritarianism prompts an important question: “Is a future controlled by technology, where we are no longer free to exercise our rights, a real risk for us all?” The prohibition of torture is what allows individuals to shape their personality and views, and establish their dignity, which is the very essence of being human.”
2024 IMPACT DAYS SECTION
- STORYBOARD IMPACT STRATEGY AWARD. CHF 10,000 offered by StoryBoard Collective’s Impact Fund. This award aims at strengthening impact media production capabilities through strategic partnerships and direct grants. Hakuchu Munayta by Augusto Zegarra
- “The film serves as a poignant recognition of a diverse community united by a shared language — and an inspiring rallying cry to embrace and celebrate this language and community.” – Patricia Finneran, The StoryBoard Collective
- SUBLIMAGES IMPACT AWARD Translation and subtitling of a film from the selection, provided by Sublimages, aimed at reaching an identified target audience as part of its impact strategy. Brotherhood of Weeping Men by Helena de Castro. Citation: “Given its originality and relevance, along with its captivating approach, translating it into Spanish could have a profound impact in Latin America.” Manuel Soubies, CEO of Sublimages
- IMPACT AFRICA : COMMUNITY SCREENING GRANT Provision of a solar-powered projector with training and a grant of CHF 5,000, offered by the StoryBoard Collective and Sunshine Cinema. The Battle for Laikipia by Daphné Matziaraki and Peter Murimi. Producer: Toni Kamau. Impact Producer: Elsie Kariuki. Citation: “We need many stories to address the legacy of colonialism, and now also the impact of climate change. To this end, we are pleased to announce an additional Impact Africa grant for community screenings. This is a multifaceted story that challenges assumptions and calls for collective solutions.”
