RESULTS OF 55TH ZLÍN FILM FESTIVAL 2015
International Expert Jury for Feature Films
The Golden Slipper – for the Best Feature Film for Children
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
directed by Olivier Ringer (BEL, 2015)
Having your birthday on February 29 is terribly stupid. It’s even worse when you get a duck egg for a birthday present. Ten-year-old Cathy and her best friend Margaux hatch the egg and see how the duckling crawls out of the egg. They really want to take care of the little duckling, but her parents don’t want an animal in their house. The duckling is quite likely to end up as canned cat food. Cathy and Margaux set out on an adventurous journey to rescue it.
JURY STATEMENT:
A poetic film about a little duck is explaining the whole world of friendship between 2 ten years old girls, one of them disabled. Director Olivier Ringer takes us in a very sensitive way on an adventurous journey. A great, exceptionall movie for children and adults.
The City of Zlín Award – for the Best Children Performance in a Feature Film for Children
COLLECTIVE OF CHILDREN
in the film THE SINGING POND by Indika Ferdinando (SRI, 2014)
When a piano is delivered to the primary school of a remote little village in Sri Lanka, the children have no idea what it is and their impassive headmaster locks it away, warning that there's a ferocious dragon inside. One boy steals the key to the room and the children discover that the headmaster had lied to them. A few days later a new teacher arrives at the school. She shows the kids that the mysterious black box makes music. They also learn that curiosity is not a bad trait and that curiosity is what shapes their dreams. One day, in school, the little blind girl Upuli shares her unseen dream with her friends.
JURY STATEMENT:
The children felt easy and natural in the environment bringing of heart and soul to their performances.
The Golden Slipper - for the Best Feature Film for Youth
BEHAVIOUR
directed by Ernesto Daranas (CUB, 2014)
Eleven-year-old Chala lives with his addict mother Sonia. In order to provide for the two of them, he raises carrier pigeons and trains fighting dogs with a man who may or may not be his biological father. School provides a stabilizing force in Chala's life, thanks to his close relationship with his spirited sixty-something teacher, Carmela. When the boy is sent off to live in a "re-education facility" and Carmela mounts a campaign to have him released, she becomes the target of a witch hunt spearheaded by a school board administrator who regards Carmela's permissive beliefs as incongruent with the new Cuba. But the idealistic, strong-willed woman remains defiant and manages to recruit allies from amongst her fellow teachers, leading to a conflict in which one boy's future reflects the systemic dynamics of contemporary Cuba.
JURY STATEMENT:
A rare and precious glimpse of the vibrant yet disturbing lifestyles of some young Cuban school children whose main hope for the future lies in the humanity and stability of their aged teacher -she sees them not as students but as family. This film is about hope and a bright future where love comes in many different forms and through the affirming heart of an elder.
The Miloš Macourek Award - for the Best Youth Performance in a Feature Film for Youth
FARZANA NAWABI
in the film MINA WALKING directed by Yosef Baraki (AFG/CAN, 2015)
Though women are no longer prisoners in their homes after the ouster of the Taliban, the country’s destabilization after years of war in Afghanistan have reduced education to a privilege. For children like Mina this means the responsibility to work in order to support her family, thus she wanders Kabul’s streets selling cheap trinkets to get enough money to feed her Alzheimer stricken grandfather and her heroin addicted father. Her father forbids her to attend school, but she secretly attends classes. And this decision to secretly educate herself sets in motion a chain of events that change her life forever.
JURY STATEMENT:
A profound and nuanced performance by a young actress whose rigorous and daring exploits pits her against all odds but she manages with elegance and grace to find an escape for herself 'Mina will remain in our hearts and minds forever'
Joint International Jury of Children and Adults for Animated Films:
Golden Slipper - for the Best Animated Film
THE ELEPHAN AND THE BICYCLE
directed by Olesya Shchukina (FRA/BEL, 2014)
An elephant lives in a town among people and works as a street cleaner. One day, he sees a big billboard advertising a bicycle. It seems the perfect size for him! This is the minute the elephant's life changes: he has to get this bicycle whatever it costs him.
JURY STATEMENT:
The director introduced to us an elephant collecting trash. With him and its story we were immediately abel to identify. In this short film Olesya as the writer and director made us laugh, touched our hearts and offered us a happy end with a deeper sense. If you don't achieve your biggest wish it's not a misery - it's just an opportunity to find happiness where you haven't expected it. Her unique style of animation, look and design are perfectly in tune with the storytelling! Olesya created a memory for the jury and all the kids who watched The Elephant and the bicycle. Size can be a problem if you are too big for a bicycle. But Olesya is not too young for the main prize of the jury.
The Hermína Týrlová Award - Award for Young Artists aged under 35
THE PRESENT
directed by Jacob Frey (GER, 2014)
The short tells the story of a boy called Jack who rather spends his time indoors playing videogames instead of discovering whats waiting in front of the door. One day his Mum decides to get a little surprise for his son, which makes it hard for him to concentrate on his video game.
JURY STATEMENT:
Jacob Frey found a unique way of introduction a handicaped boy and his misery to us.
International Children’s Jury for Feature Films for Children:
Main Prize of the Children’s Jury - for Best Feature Film for Children
PAPER PLANES
directed by Robert Connolly (AUS, 2014)
Eleven-year-old Dylan grows up without his mother in the remote Australian bush. His father is mired in grief and Dylan has to deal with his feelings, problems with friends, and loneliness alone. One day, the school organizes a paper plane competition. Dylan's passion for flying and inventive spirit provide him the hoped-for and well-deserved place in the regional finals in Sydney. He thus takes a big step toward fulfilling his dream to participate in the junior world championships in Japan. Despite a lack of funds and his father's permission, Dylan decides to fly to the competition; he's helped financially by his friends, neighbors, and even his eccentric grandfather. The film takes us not only from the bush of Australia to Japan, but also among the fans of paper planes – an unusual hobby that combines beauty, strength and speed.
JURY STATEMENT:
We chose „Paper Planes“ for it´s originality and it´s a good story. I tis a fun (story) film and it´s easy to watch.
International Youth Jury for Feature Films for Youth:
Main Prize of the Youth Jury - for the Best Feature Film for Youth
MY SKINNY SISTER
directed by Sanna Lenken (SWE/GER, 2015)
Stella is in love with, of all people, someone almost four times her age and has no idea how to tell him. But her older sister Katja’s problem weighs far heavier on her mind. Katja is a talented figure skater and is always busy with school or training. Stella admires her sister and tries hard to emulate her and the two girls get on well. But Katja hardly has any time and can sometimes have mood swings. Stella realises that something is wrong with her sister and discovers that she is suffering from a severe eating disorder that could kill her. Katja forces Stella to swear not to tell their parents, but that is far too big a burden of responsibility for a girl of her age.
JURY STATEMENT:
We chose this film because it is very well made, acting was great and soundtrack fantastic. We are convinced about the unforgettable artistic experience and bringing the important topic to discussion.
International Expert Jury for European First Films:
The Europe Award
CONFETTI HARVEST
directed by Tallulah H. Schwab (NLD, 2014)
Set in the 1980s, young Catherine (12) grows up in a strict protestant farming family in Zeeland in the south of Holland. As the only girl among six brothers, she is hardly involved in the daily work and feels left out of the day-to-day conversations at the dining table. She lets her fantasy run wild through Bible stories, gossip and even fairy tales, though these are not allowed, as they keep her away from the Truth. For her, however, reading and learning are the only ways to transcend her daily life. Finally, during her brother’s wedding, she literally overwhelms her family with literature, leaving her childhood behind, ready to become who she wants to be.
JURY STATEMENT:
For its cimetatic narration an harmony of the film elements. The filmaker succeeds to tell a universal coming of age story.
Special recognition for the exceptional performance
SOUMAYE BOCOUM
in the film PAPA WAS NOT A ROLLING STONE directed by Sylvie Ohayon (FRA, 2014)
Stéphanie has grown up in La Courneuve in the 1980s with an absent mother and a brutal stepfather. She soon decides to find a way out of this dull everyday life. Her readings, her passion for dancing and Jean-Jacques Goldman, and (above all) the love of her grand-mother help Stéphanie to struggle in this nonetheless colourful estate where friendship always prevails. One day, she knows it, Stéphanie is going to leave the estate to live the life she’s always dreamt of.
JURY STATEMENT:
A special mention goes to the charming interpretation of the character Fatima. Forever we will remember her saying: I like „Beaf Cro magnon“.
International Expert Jury for Student Films (Zlín Dog)
Main Prize for the TOP Film of Zlín Dog with prize money of EUR 1000,-
EDMOND
directed by Nina Gantz (GBR, 2015)
Edmond is far from being an optimist who amuses himself and people around him. He is different – shy and asocial. His efforts to reclaim his peace of mind drive him to suicidal thoughts. Captured in a non-traditional way combining puppet animation with British humor, this film depicts unfortunate situations in Edmond's life. It shows that even a cannibal may seem like a likeable person.
JURY STATEMENT:
Despite dealing with a heavy and depressing issue the awarded film manages to create a warm and beautiful atmosphere. One to its elegant storytelling, astonishing cinematography and attention to details it portrays compelling and believeable characters. To encourage the filmakers to carry on with their bold, unique and inspiring style.
International ECFA Jury
ECFA Award
BIRDS OF PASSAGE
directed by Olivier Ringer (BEL, 2015)
Having your birthday on February 29 is terribly stupid. It’s even worse when you get a duck egg for a birthday present. Ten-year-old Cathy and her best friend Margaux hatch the egg and see how the duckling crawls out of the egg. They really want to take care of the little duckling, but her parents don’t want an animal in their house. The duckling is quite likely to end up as canned cat food. Cathy and Margaux set out on an adventurous journey to rescue it.
JURY STATEMENT:
The job was not easy, judging nine high quality films. But we finally made our choice. Childhood with a disability is challenging; even more, when your parents are over-protective. A friend or a tiny creature can help you find your wings and show you the way to natures real Birds Paradise.
International Ecumenical Jury
Ecumenical Jury Prize
BEHAVIOUR
directed by Ernesto Daranas (CUB, 2014)
Eleven-year-old Chala lives with his addict mother Sonia. In order to provide for the two of them, he raises carrier pigeons and trains fighting dogs with a man who may or may not be his biological father. School provides a stabilizing force in Chala's life, thanks to his close relationship with his spirited sixty-something teacher, Carmela. When the boy is sent off to live in a "re-education facility" and Carmela mounts a campaign to have him released, she becomes the target of a witch hunt spearheaded by a school board administrator who regards Carmela's permissive beliefs as incongruent with the new Cuba. But the idealistic, strong-willed woman remains defiant and manages to recruit allies from amongst her fellow teachers, leading to a conflict in which one boy's future reflects the systemic dynamics of contemporary Cuba.
JURY STATEMENT:
A bitter look at the harsh reality of growing up in contemporary Havana, this is a multi-layered and well-constructed story that shows how one person's love, strength, and conviction can conquer the cold reality of an uncaring system determined to tear an 11-year old boy from the only way of life that he knows. This is a generous story of the human spirit and it's ability to maintain dignity and hope while transcending the forceful truths of a modern society in flux.
Commendation
MINA WALKING
by Yosef Baraki (AFG/CAN, 2015)
Though women are no longer prisoners in their homes after the ouster of the Taliban, the country’s destabilization after years of war in Afghanistan have reduced education to a privilege. For children like Mina this means the responsibility to work in order to support her family, thus she wanders Kabul’s streets selling cheap trinkets to get enough money to feed her Alzheimer stricken grandfather and her heroin addicted father. Her father forbids her to attend school, but she secretly attends classes. And this decision to secretly educate herself sets in motion a chain of events that change her life forever.
JURY STATEMENT:
Set amidst the chaos of modern Kabul, this documentary-style tale highlights in dramatic fashion the incredible strength and resilience of one young girl and her resolve to care for her family at the expense of her own education, innocence, and youth. Her desperate journey is saddened as she chooses to become one of society's faceless.
Audience Awards
The Golden Apple – for the Best Feature Film
THE ROAD WITHIN
directed by Gren Wells (USA, 2015)
After his mother's death, Vincent, a teenager with Tourette's syndrome, is sent to a facility in Nevada. There he meets Alex, who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Mary, who is recovering from anorexia. After an incident, Vincent and Marie are called to the office of the director, Dr. Rose, and they steal her car keys. Alex witnesses their escape and tries to warn the director, so the runaways are forced to take him with them involuntarily. All three then head toward the ocean, where Vincent wants to scatter his mother's ashes. On their heels are Dr. Rose and Vincent's father. Near the end of their journey Marie collapses and is hospitalized. She persuades Vincent to run off together with her.
The Golden Apple – for the Best Animated Film
PIGLET BABYSITTER
by Natalya Berezovaya (RUS, 2014)
Our little pig's life is full of good luck. So when his parents have to leave there is one who takes care for him and his brothers. They are very disobedient. The entire farm is turned upside down. The piglets pick up the goat for a victim of their mischiefs. Will it be able to escape them and will the little pig prove itself as a good babysitter?