The Jerusalem International Film Festival has ended, and today (Thursday) the big winners of the various competitions were announced. The total prizes at the festival this year amounted to about one million shekels.
The Jerusalem International Film Festival was founded in July 1984 and since then has become the most important and central event in Israel for filmmakers and their fans. Every summer, during ten days, over 200 films are screened at the festival alongside a rich variety of events and meetings with well-known creators from Israel and the world and professional workshops for the local film industry. Today (Thursday) the big winners in the various competitions of the Jerusalem Film Festival 2022 were announced, with the total prizes at the event amounting to about one million shekels. Below is the list of this year’s winners in the various competitions:
The international competition sponsored by the Jerusalem Foundation:
The film “Metronom” (Metronom), directed by Alexandru Belk (Romania, France)
“Mantrum” won the Nechama Rivlin Award for the best international film, donated by Ronald S. Lauder and Joe Carol Lauder, through the Jerusalem Foundation. The jury’s reasons for awarding the prize to Black’s film were: “A cinematic look penetrates the experience of youth under a repressive regime. The special power of the film lies in its clear focus and personal point of view.’
A commendation was awarded to Pablo Shiels, for his performance in the movie “Tori and Lokita” (Tori and Lokita) directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardan (Belgium, France).
Reasons of the jury: “We give a special mark to Pablo Shiels. He played the character of Tori in a gentle and moving way, and in a rare and exceptional way.’
The international competition for debut films sponsored by GWFF:
The movie “1976” directed by Manuela Martelli (Chile, Argentina, Qatar)
The film “1976” won the GWFF award for the international debut film. The jury’s reasoning was: “We were deeply impressed by the film’s confident, convincing and understated storytelling style. The director creates tension and mystery against the background of an increasingly escalating political crisis, which is known to many and well documented. The wonderful acting of the film’s heroine breathes life into the story of a deep inner change, which she undergoes amid the chaos and chaos unfolding in her country and within her family.” The judges also noted that “the themes of patriarchy and privileges, courage and sacrifice, intertwine and create a story of conflict and great empathy. We are pleased to present the Best Debut Film Award to “1976”. Director Manuela Martelli is a promising talent that is recommended to be followed. We are proud to pay tribute to an important voice in the field of film creation, today and in the future.”
A commendation was awarded to the film “In the Heart of the Jungle” (La Jauria) directed by Andres Ramirez Pulido (France, Colombia).
Reasons of the jury: “A film that is all about an inner journey. We embark on a journey into the dark reality of the lives of a group of teenage prisoners somewhere in the depths of South America, perhaps in Colombia. To the beating and elusive heart of Eliú (Eliú) and his friend and rival, to Mono. The film does not close its eyes to the violent reality. The brutal aggression passed down from generation to generation is his driving force. But as in Jean Genet’s books, his heroes, whose actions have no atonement, get a chance at a new life. We give a special mark to the movie “In the Heart of the Jungle” by Andres Ramirez Pulido.’
Competition in the spirit of freedom
The films “Everything Will Be OK” directed by Rithy Phan (France Cambodia), and “My Imaginary Land” (My Imaginary Country) directed by Patricio Guzman (Chile, France)
The MKR award is shared between the two films, “Everything Will Be OK” (Everything Will Be OK) directed by Rithy Phan (France Cambodia), and “My Imaginary Country” (My Imaginary Country) directed by Patricio Guzmán (Chile, France). The jury’s reasoning: “Two wonderful filmmakers who continue to lead a social struggle, using their unique personal voice. The one deals with the revolution of our time, and with his great talent tells a story about resistance and female empowerment and reminds us that it is possible to change reality. The second director uses animation to show us a chilling view of our reality as human beings, this is a song about war, injustice, evil, but also hope for freedom.’
Chantal Ackerman competition for experimental documentaries
The film “Myanmar Diaries” directed by the Myanmar Cinema Collective and produced by Corinne Van Ikhrat
The film “Myanmar Diaries”, directed by the Myanmar Cinema Collective and produced by Corinne van Eichrat, won the Chantal Ackerman Award courtesy of the Ostrovsky Family Foundation.
Awards for full-length Israeli cinema
The movie “The Road to Eilat” directed by Yona Rosenkiar and produced by Kobi Mizrahi
The film “The Road to Eilat”, directed by Yona Rosenkiar and produced by Kobi Mizrahi, won the Hajj Award for the best feature film through the Jerusalem Fund. Reasons of the jury: “A convention-breaking and refreshing film that combines drama, comedy and social satire.” A candid and intimate portrait, and full of anarchic energy, of characters who stand in front of society.’
The movie “Karaoke” directed by Moshe Rosenthal and produced by Efrat Cohen
The film “Karaoke”, directed by Moshe Rosenthal and produced by Efrat Cohen, won the GWFF award for the best Israeli debut film. Reasons of the jury: “an entertaining and biting social satire, which never ceases to entertain and intrigue thanks to exciting performances and bold direction.”
Screenplay Award: Idan Hagoel, “Concerned Citizen”
The film “Concerned Citizen” by Idan Hagoel won the Dalia Sigan award for the screenplay. Reasons of the jury: “A perfect combination of script and direction in an intimate, brave and decent portrait of a couple trying to fulfill their personal desires while being aware of the social tension that surrounds them.”
Award for Actress: Usherat Ingdasht, “America”
The Anat Farhi Award for Actress was awarded to Usher Ingdasht for her performance in the film “America”. Reasons of the jury: “Ingdasht, in the role of Iris the flower seller, demonstrates a natural and strong presence on the screen, and adds color and emotion to a world that is portrayed as a cold and merciless place.”
Actor Award: Shmuel Wilozheni, “The Road to Eilat”
The Anat Farhi award for an actor was awarded to Shmuel Wilozheni for his performance in the film “The Road to Eilat”. Reasons of the jury: “Shmuel Viluzhny is the heart and soul of the film “The Road to Eilat” from beginning to end, he embodies and nurtures the director’s vision of a character freed from the shackles of social conventions; And constantly surprises with his warmth and generosity and with a prickliness that is free of bitterness.’
Audience Choice Award: The Movie “Karaoke”
The audience’s choice award was given to the film “Karaoke”, directed by Moshe Rosenthal and produced by Efrat Cohen.
Award for Photography: Oded Ashkenazi, “The Road to Eilat”
The Aaron Emmanuel award for photography was awarded to Oded Ashkenazi for the film “The Road to Eilat”. The jury’s reasoning: “The camera accompanies the story in perfect harmony, and presents honest and in-depth portraits alongside satirical scenes and images. The lighting and the restrained and modest compositions completely match the character and behavior of the characters in front of the lens.”
Award for editing: Neely Feller and Shauli Melamed, “Savoy”
The Diamond Award for Editing was awarded to Neely Feller and Shauli Melamed for the film “Savoy”. Reasons of the jury: “The editing skillfully merges reality and discussion, and maintains dynamism and rhythm throughout the length of the film.”
Music Award: Zoe Polanski, “Concerned Citizen”
The Yossi Molla Award for Music was awarded to Zoe Polanski for the film “Concerned Citizen”. Reasons of the jury: “For the impressive and minimalistic soundtrack that expresses the complexity and tensions inherent in the film’s plot.”
Award for the best documentary film: the film “Cure Longing”
The Diamond Award for the best documentary film was awarded to the film “Heal Longing”, directed and produced by: Artyom Dubitsky. Reasons of the jury: “From a sober point of view, a young immigrant traces the life of his family in Russia and Ukraine before they immigrated to Israel. The filmmaker holds the camera himself and directs the conversations gently and sensitively, creating powerful moments as if taken from a play by Chekhov.”
Directing award for a documentary film: director Zohar Wagner, “Savoy”
The Diamond Award for directing a documentary film was awarded to director Zohar Wagner for her film “Savoy”. Reasons of the jury: “For the combination of fascinating documentary photographs and excellent acting clips, which recreate a terrible historical event and restore the good name of a brave woman.”
Best Investigative Documentary Award: The film “Two Children in a Day”
The best investigative award in a documentary film is awarded to the film “Two Children in a Day” directed by David Waxman and produced by Yoav Rua and Orit Zamir. Reasons of the jury: “For giving the opportunity to some of the many Palestinian children, who are arrested and imprisoned for throwing stones, to reflect on their actions in the past and their plans for the future.”
Diamond competition for short Israeli cinema
The movie “Killing Ourselves” directed by: Maya Yedlin
The Diamond Award for Best Feature Film was awarded to the film “Killing Ourselves”, directed by Maya Yedlin
Commendation for the film “Lot’s Wife”, directed by Uri Birger
A commendation was awarded to the film “Lot’s Wife”, directed by Uri Birger
Aliza and Micah Ambassador Prize for the promising creator to Gaia Elshtiu, “his best friend”
The Aliza and Micha Shagrir Award for the Promising Creator was awarded to Gaia Elshtiu, for her film “His Best Friend”.
Bel-Bielski Family Award for acting in a short film to Noam Imber, for his performance in the film “Every Wednesday”
The Bel-Bielski Family Award for acting in a short film was awarded to Noam Imber, for his performance in the film “Every Wednesday”, directed by Rona Segal
The Jerusalem Development Authority Film and Television Project Award for the best animated film for the film “A Letter to a Pig”, directed by Tal Kantor
The Jerusalem Development Authority Film and Television Project Award for the best animated film is awarded to the film “A Letter to a Pig” directed by Tal Kantor
The video art and experimental cinema competition in collaboration with “Mamuta – Center for Art and Research”
The movie “Jestman Kalb (Carcass of a dog) directed by Yara Kasem Mahajana
The Lia Van Leer Award, donated by Rivka Seker, for the best experimental film was awarded to the film “A dog’s corpse”, directed by Yara Kasem Mahajana. Reasons of the jury: “The film was chosen due to the spectacular cinematic experience and the text it offers. It is a satirical allegory that describes an absurd funeral ceremony that echoes a traumatic past. Through saturated images, a tactile soundtrack, and a systematic cinematic expression, Yara Qasim Mahajana performs a trick of the political content into a fictional cinematic space which distills the experience of reality.’
The movie “Grandma Carmela” directed by Yoel Peled
The Ostrovsky Family Fund Award was awarded to the film “Grandma Carmela”, directed by Yoel Peled. The judges’ reasoning: “Yuel Peled’s film was chosen due to the unique state of accumulation of the characters and the world depicted in it. During the viewing, an indecipherable visual and cognitive experience is created thanks to the formal distortion of the characters, and thanks to the use of technology that equates them with elusive materiality. In a non-home environment, an honest existentialist conversation takes place between grandmother and child”.
A commendation was awarded to the film “73”, directed by Meshi Kopalevitz. Reasons of the jury: “The film was chosen due to the honesty, humor and varied material richness with which the creator describes her father’s traumatic war experience. Meshi Kopelevitz develops elements of her father’s painting style, and breathes life into them using sound, animation and montage. The horror stories are described from a personal point of view Hurt, blessings and grace that invites us to stay in front of the screen and observe the pain.”