Limassol, 21 April 2019
17th Cyprus Film Days International Festival
THE FESTIVAL WINNERS
The 17th Cyprus Film Days International Festival dedicated exclusively to contemporary world cinema and fiction feature films, was concluded last Saturday, 20th of April 2019, with the final screenings, the awards ceremony and a closing party at Rialto Theatre, in Limassol.
The five – member international jury, members of the local film industry, directors and guests were present at the Awards Ceremony, which kicked off with a music show on the Rialto theatre stage. A children’s choir from Sophie’s Music School opened the ceremony with a music and percussions performance, highlighting the importance given by the organisers to the new generation.
Film director and artistic director of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth, Petros Charalambous, presented the short films made by children during the practical workshops of Cyprus Film Days for Children and Youth, and he thanked the team for the amazing collaboration. Cypriot actor Panayiotis Larcou was the presenter of the evening.
The artistic committee of Cyprus Film Days – director, producer Tonia Mishiali, film scholar Dr Costas Constantinides, and director, producer Marios Stylianou, took the stage to thank the participants and the international jury for the challenging task of awarding the films.
THE AWARD WINNERS
GLOCAL IMAGES International Competition Section
Glocal Images Best Film Award
For giving voice to a silenced community with realism and for portraying in a masterful way the presence of the absence the Best Film Award, accompanied by the amount of 6.000 euro was awarded to Los Silencios by Beatriz Seigner.
Glocal Images Special Jury Award
For a film that succeeds to draw its audience into an intimate journey of hope and despair in a delicate and poetic way, the Special Jury Award, accompanied by the amount of 3.000 euro, was awarded to House of Hummingbird by Bora Kim. The South Korean director received the award presented to her by the Head of the EU Representation in Cyprus, Mr Ierotheos Papadopoulos. She thanked the jury and the festival organisers for their hospitality.
Glocal Images Best Director Award
For creating a world of a primal visual beauty carried from strong performances and telling a story of a lost paradise, the Best Director Award, accompanied by the amount of 1.000 euro was awarded to Dominga Sotomayor for her film Too late to die young.
Honorary Distinction
For a convincing and fascinating performance, an honorary distinction was awarded to Marleyda Soto for her performance in the film Los Silencios by Beatriz Seigner.
Cypriot Films Competition Section
Best Cypriot Film Award
For exposing the absurdity of the ongoing division of the island of Cyprus with humanity and humour, the Best Cypriot Film Award accompanied by the amount of 4.000 euro was awarded to Smuggling Hendrix by Marios Piperides. The award was presented to the winner by the Director of the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Mr Pavlos Paraskevas.
Best Cypriot Director Award
With the Best Cypriot Director Award, the jury would like to encourage this first time director for his film, which succeeds to entertain its audience through a story with a local colour. The Best Cypriot Director Award, accompanied by DCP Mastering – Deliverables – Subtitling services worth 3.500 euros, sponsored by Authorwave, was awarded to Small White Envelopes, by Sotiris Christou. On behalf of Authorwave, the award was presented to the producer of the film, Marios Petrondas, by Mrs Ioanna Soultani.
Best Cypriot Actor Award
For his subtle and authentic performance, the Best Actor Award accompanied by the amount of 500 euro, sponsored by Limassol Municipality was awarded to Antonis Katsaris for his performance in Small White Envelopes by Sotiris Christou. On behalf of Limassol Municipality, the award was presented by Municipal Councillor, Mr Michael Vassiliou.
Audience Award
Smuggling Hendrix, by Marios Piperides, won the Audience Award, sponsored by CYTAVISION and accompanied by the sum of €1000. Mr Lefteris Christou, head of Cytavision & spokesman, presented the winner with the award.
Special Student Jury Award – University of Nicοsia
The student jury award as voted by the Student Jury Award of the University of Nicosia, was awarded to Smuggling Hendrix, by Marios Piperides.
Lifetime Achievement Award to Udo Kier
The Festival presented German actor Udo Kier and President of this year’s international jury, a Lifetime Achievement Award. In his early career days, Kier was associated with numerous horror and alternative films, ranging from art house cinema to mainstream movies. The multifaceted and remarkable career of Kier, who participated in more than 200 films, stretches from Europe to Hollywood, and encompasses both TV and film productions. The award was presented to Udo Kier, by the Rialto Theatre President of the Board, Mr Kikis Kazamias.
During the ceremony, the actor mentioned that as he grows up he keeps receiving awards made of gold and silver, but this ancient- like figurine made of stone, offered by Cyprus Film Days, takes on a significant meaning for him.
The Festival was concluded with an open air party at Heroes Square, and the live performance of Macumba.
The 18th edition of Cyprus Film Days IFF will take place in Spring of 2020.