The 10th International Film Festival ‘Cyprus Film Days 2012’ was concluded on Sunday April 29th, with simultaneous screenings in Limassol and Nicosia and with the award ceremony at the Rialto Theatre, in Limassol.
In Limassol, at the Rialto Theatre, the award winning film ‘We need to talk about Kevin’, by genious director Lynne Ramsay was screened. Following the screening, at 10 p.m. the award ceremony took place. The international, three-member jury consisting of Rossitsa Valkanova (Producer, Bulgaria, Producer of the film “Shelter ”, awarded the Best Film Award at the Sofia Film Festival in 2011 and producer of other awarded films), Yiannis Economides (Director, Cyprus/Greece, “Knifer”, “Soul Kicking”, “Matchbox”), and Arta Dobroshi (Actress, Kosovo, Nominated for the Best Actress Award at the European Academy Awards and Cannes Festival 2008 for the film “Lorna’s Silence”), handed out the following awards:
- The Best Film Award accompanied by the amount of €7000 was awarded to the film Combat Girls, by David Wnendt, a very brave film which depicts and examines the genesis of hatred and sends a powerful warning; that intolerance creates violence and pain. The award was handed out to the Director of the Goethe Institute in Cyprus by the Minister of Education and Culture, Mr Yiorgos Dimosthenous.
- The Special Jury Award accompanied by the amount of €2.000 was awarded to the film Loverboy, by Catalin Mitulescu, a film that portrays with great authenticity the unhappy destiny of young people that have lost their way in life. The award was received by the lead actress, Mrs. Ada Condeescu.
- The Glocal images Award accompanied by the amount of €1.000 was awarded to ‘Fish n’ Chips’ by Elias Demetriou, which is truly entertaining while at the same time it touches sensitive subjects with sincerity and self irony. The director received the award stating that he wishes that cinema in Cyprus may develop to a larger scale, and he asked for the state’s support in the filmmakers’ difficult task.
- The Special Mention offered by Kodak Cinelabs Greece accompanied by film processing services worth of €5.000 was awarded to the Israeli film ‘Restoration’ by Yossi Madmony.
- The honorary mention for his outstanding performance which gave a lot of heart and soul to the film ‘Fish n’ Chips’ was awarded to Cypriot actor Marios Ioannou.
- The other honorary mention for his fascinating and deeply emotional presence was awarded to actor Sasson Gabai for the film ‘Restoration’. The honorary mention was received by a representative of the Israeli embassy.
- The film ‘Fish n’ Chips’ by Cypriot director Elias Demetriou won the Audience Award.
In Nicosia, at the Zena Palace cinema, the festival was concluded with the screening of the silent, black and white, five Academy Award winner film, The Artist, by Michel Hazanavicius.
The organizers wish to express their warmest thanks to the festival sponsors as well as to the audience, who supported the Cyprus Film Days 2012 festival throughout the ten days. The next Cyprus Film Days festival will take place in 2013, around the same period.
