Docudays Kiev 2017 Awards
A press release came out last night: The 14th International documentary films about human rights festival has ended in Kyiv. The awards ceremony was held in the Cinema House. The closing ceremony began with a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov, imprisoned in Russia.
Films were competing for prizes in categories: DOCU/LIFE, DOCU/RIGHT, DOCU/SHORT, DOCU/UKRAINE and for the special prize from Students’ Jury. The festivals’ Orzanizing Committee favorite is awarded with the Andriy Matrosov Award. The ceremony was followed by the Ukrainian premiere of “Liberation Day” by Ugis Olte and Morten Traavik.
The results of the final stages of three long-term workshops were announced during the closing ceremony – DocWorks: UA/UK, Warscape, and Youth about Ukraine. During the closing ceremony the results of WARSCAPE international competition were announced. The award of 5.000 USD was given to the “Double trap” (director Valeria Treshchova and producer Viktoria Gusenok). Also the international programm DocWorks: UA/UK announced the results. The winning project “UNDERWATER” (dir. Oksana Kazmina and producer Ljosha Chashchyn) received 3.000 GBP. “(N)OSTALGIA” (director Vicki Thornton Written and producer Marion Guthdirector) received a prize (50 000 hryvnia) for the best pitching from KWA SOUND PRODUCTION company.
Winners were also announced for Instagram competition #ECOOKO: show the country’s environment. A prize from the WWF in Ukraine was given to Oleksandr Stepanenko. Prizes from the Green School educational project were received by: Oksana Vashchuk, Serhiy Handusenko, Oleg and Dariya Promahovy. Oleg and Dariya Promahovy received prizes from the Docudays UA team.
Docudays UA 2017 Winners:
DOCU/LIFE – Main Prize
All This Panic dir. Jenny Gage/ USA
Deliberate well thought through camerawork serves the subject matter and the desired atmosphere. Daring use of colors together with sensual use of depth of field made this film particularly efficient. The filmmakers are thinking outside of the box at the same time as the directorial approach creates unparalleled intimacy. It is transparent that creators are coming from contemporary art. The film unveils the secret life of teenage girls who usually go out of their way to keep their inner life closed to adults. It is the opinion of the jury that by giving these girls a voice the filmmakers are creating a bold platform for young women. Girls all over the world deserve to be heard – it is a crucial human rights issue that also resonates here in Ukraine.
Honourable mention
Gogita’s New Life dir. Levan Koguashvili/ Georgia, Croatia, Ukraine
The director’s decision to get close enough to share Gogita’s and his wife’s experience while respecting their quiet intimacy. This in combination with a remarkably beautiful frame and a consistent rhythm in the editing, bounds the story together in a completely engaging way.
DOCU/RIGHT- Main Prize
When Paul Came Over the Sea – Journal of an Encounter dir. Jakob Preuss/ Germany
The film is i an honest, meticulous, serious and responsible way dealing with one of the most critical issues we face today in Europe – the question of mass scale migration and how we as Europeans should and will respond on migration, what will be the consequence of our decision on other people’s lives and what will be the consequence for our comfort and security.
Honourable mention The Return dir. Zahavi Sanjavi Sweden
DOCU/SHORT- Main Prize
I’m Not From Here dir. Maite Alberdi, Giedrė ickyte Lithuania, Chile
In just 26 minutes, two talented directors create a multi-layered and emotionally complex world, skilfully and artistically captured through their lens. Facing the end of her life, the protagonist and her fellow residents live with humor, sadness and often prideful moments, despite the march of time taking them closer to inevitable death.
Special Mention
Rakijada dir. Nikola Ilić Switzerland
For a charming view into a brutal society.
DOCU/UKRAINE- Main Prize
Refuge dir. Anastasia Maksymchuk Ukraine
An unusual portrait of volunteer activists, working without stats support, the struggle against cruelty and the strength of ordinary citizens takes the forefront. The small-scale story shows a broader picture of the battle between good and evil.
Special Mention
The Fall of Lenin dir. Svitlana Shymko Ukraine
A witty and formally ambitious study on the changing ideologies of a society.
STUDENTS’ JURY AWARD
5 October dir. Martin Kollar Slovakia, Czech Republic
ANDRIY MATROSOV AWARD FROM THE DOCUDAYS UA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
Amazona dir. Clare Weiskopf Columbia
For an extremely high degree of sensitivity and bravery in researching the eternal dilemma of humanity – the balance between personal freedom and responsibility before one’s children.
AUDIENCE AWARD
Born To Be Free dir. Gayane Petrosyan UK, Russia
Also the LETTER TO FEST festival distributor has chosen the best Ukrainian documentary of the Docudays UA-2017 program. It is film See You Later by Yulia Kochetova-Nabozhniak. The prize from the distributor is a certificate for a free submission to 50 international film festivals.
