Narrative 2018
FUCKING DRAMA
by Michael Podogil
“This was a brilliant short, commentating on the power and danger of pushing artistic limits.”
LETHE
by Dea Kulumbegashvili
“A masterful and poetic reimagining of the Greek river of forgetfulness in rural Georgia, told in haunting images by an assured director’s hand.”
Experimental 2018
TRIPOLI, LEBANON
by Julia Schmidt
“In the seemingly simple and direct observation of a group of Lebanese girls and boys in an extraordinary space, the film will in the end have revealed a whole universe. By giving itself time to stay on the kid’s faces, shy, yet full of life experience, the filmmaker shows, not only her sense for the power of the human voice, but also – without words – speaks about humanity.”
VIVA COCO!
by Rocío Olivares
“for its smart, political and critical topicality, and, as well, for ultimately turning a self-critical lens and humor on the intersection of colonization, history and the female body”
Female Director/Story 2018
BEATRIZ’S HOUSE
by Suzanne Andrews Correa
“A terrifying modern-day account of a married woman, trapped in a “A Doll’s House,” (Ibsen, 1879) rescued by a woman’s loyalty.”
Narrative 2017
THE BURDEN OF MEMORY
by Albert Meisl
“A witty and well-paced comedy that captures a distinctly Viennese slice of life about a power play between a musicologist and a young acolyte.“ (Festival Jury)
WARTEZEIT
by Clara Stern
“A suspenseful and riveting film that viscerally translates into cinematic terms the all-too-common fear of a woman alone at night.” (Festival Jury)
AND THE WHOLE SKY FIT IN THE DEAD COW’S EYES
by Francisca Alegria
“A lyrical beautifully performed and directed example of magic realism that captures the transcendent power of a mother’s love.“ (Festival Jury)
THE ART OF NOT APPEARING
by Pernille Rivedal Hellevik
“A witty and succinct ghost story that explores themes of love, ambition, the afterlife, and the unending desire to find resolution and meaning in life.” (Festival Jury)
» As there were no documentaries entered this year, the jury decided to give out two awards in the category ‘Best Narrative’«
Experimental and Hybrid
THE GOD OF THE LABYRINTH
by Michael Simku
“A highly inventive yet plausible pseudo-documentary about espionage, culture, and the Cold War that raises fascinating and timely questions about politics and fiction.” (Festival Jury)
SAVE THE PRESIDENTS
by Tali Keren & Alex Strada
“A visually compelling and poetic study that encourages a new look at the American presidency at a time when the office is taking on new meaning.” (Festival Jury)
Narrative 2016
NADIE BAILA
by Javier Loarte – Columbia University, Film
“For its original narrative structure and unexpected approach, with performances that feel real in a film that is original and unexpected “ (Festival Jury)
ESEL
by Rafael Haider – Film Academy Vienna
“A beautifully made film with a parable-like style that tells its story in a sensitive and cinematic manner, with spare dialogue and strong images.” (Festival Jury)
Experimental and Conceptual 2016
EL RITUAL DEL COLOR
by Luz Olivares – Film Academy Vienna / Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
“A wonderfully crafted and witty film that evokes the history of cinema in just a few minutes.” (Festival Jury)
STUDIO STUDIO
by Sara Stern – Columbia University, Visual Arts
“A film that creates its own unique world with great technique, transforming its basic materials and tools into a memorable experience.” (Festival Jury)
Documentary and Hybrid 2016
ALEXA TO EXA
by Exa Zim – School of Visual Arts
“Treats a contemporary issue in a visual and truthful manner to deal with struggles about gender identity that so many people are dealing with now.” (Festival Jury)
TITO ANDRONICO CAMINO VERDE
by oellinger/rainer and Stefan Wirnsperger – University of Applied Arts Vienna
“A compelling and original film that blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction by creating a hybrid film that uses a Shakespeare play as the basis of a reinvention of the documentary form.” (Festival Jury)