“The Echo,” “This World Is Not My Own” are the festival’s top documentaries; Benesch, Mikkelsen claim actor awards
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 1/14/24 – The 35th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) announced this year’s juried award winners on Saturday, January 13.
The festival took place from January 4-15 and screened 184 films from over 70 countries, including 48 premieres. The line-up includes 41 of the International Feature Film Oscar® Submissions along with Talking Pictures, New Voices New Visions, Modern Masters, Queer Cinema, True Stories, World Cinema Now, and more.
The jury award categories included:
- FIPRESCI Prize for films in the International Feature Film Oscar® Submissions program
- Best Documentary Award for compelling non-fiction filmmaking
- New Voices New Visions Award for unique viewpoints from first- and second-time directors
- Ibero-American Award for the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal
- Local Jury Award for the film which promoted understanding and acceptance between people
- Young Cineastes Award for a film chosen by our Youth Jury
- Mozaik Bridging the Borders Award for a film that is successful in bringing the people of our world closer together
The Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature and Best Documentary Feature will be announced on the evening of Sunday, January 14.
FIPRESCI PRIZE
A special jury of international film critics reviewed 41 of the official submissions for the Academy Awards® International Feature Film category that were selected to screen at this year’s Festival. The films in competition were as follows:
- “20 Days in Mariupol” (Ukraine) Director Mstyslav Chernov
- “About Dry Grasses” (Turkey) Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan
- “Amerikatsi” (Armenia) Director Michael A. Goorjian
- “Behind the Haystacks” (Greece) Director Asimina Proedrou (North American Premiere)
- “Blaga’s Lessons” (Bulgaria) Director Stephan Komandarev
- “Brother”s (Czech Republic) Director Tomáš Mašín (International Premiere)
- “The Burdened” (Yemen) Director Amr Gamal
- “Bye Bye Tiberias” (Palestine) Director Lina Soualem
- “City of Wind” (Mongolia) Director Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
- “Concrete Utopia{ (South Korea) Director Um Tae-hwa
- “The Delinquents{ (Argentina) Director Rodrigo Moreno
- “Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World” (Romania) Director Radu Jude
- “Fallen Leaves” (Finland) Director Aki Kaurismäki
- “Four Daughters” (Tunisia) Director Kaouther Ben Hania
- “Godland” (Iceland) Director Hlynur Pálmason
- “Goodbye Julia” (Sudan) Director Mohamed Kordofani
- “Housekeeping for Beginners” (North Macedonia) Director Goran Stolevski
- “In Flames (Pakistan) Director Zarrar Kahn (U.S. Premiere)
- “Inshallah A Boy” (Jordan) Director Amjad Al Rasheed
- “Io Capitano” (Italy) Director Matteo Garrone
- “The Missing” (Philippines) Director Carl Joseph E. Papa (International Premiere)
- “The Monk and the Gun” (Bhutan) Director Pawo Choyning Dorji
- “The Mother of All Lies? (Morocco) Director Asmae El Moudir
- “Opponent” (Sweden) Director Milad Alami
- “The Peasants” (Poland) Director DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman
- “Perfect Days” (Japan) Director Wim Wenders
- “The Promised Land” (Denmark) Director Nikolaj Arcel
- “The Settlers” (Chile) Director Felipe Gálvez
- “Seven Blessings” (Israel) Director Ayelet Menahemi (U.S. Premiere)
- “Shayda” (Australia) Director Noora Niasari
- “Sira (Burkina Faso)” Director Apolline Traoré
- “Smoke Sauna Sisterhood” (Estonia) Director Anna Hints
- “Society of the Snow” (Spain) Director J.A. Bayona
- “Songs of Earth” (Norway) Director Margreth Olin
- “Sweet Dreams” (Netherlands) Director Ena Sendijarević
- “The Taste of Things” (France) Director Tr N Anh Hùng
- “The Teacher’s Lounge” (Germany) Director İlker Çatak
- “Tiger Stripes” (Malaysia) Director Amanda Nell Eu
- “Tóte” (Mexico) Director Lila Avilés
- “Vera (Austria)” Director Tizza Covi, Rainer Frimmel
- “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom) Director Jonathan Glazer
FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Feature Film: “Four Daughters.”
Jury Statement: While digging through the details of the tragic disintegration of a Tunisian family, director Kaouther Ben Hania reclaims the cliché of reenactment and reinvents it, emerging with a powerful account of human complexity. This striking blend of fact, meta-fiction and confessional therapy makes a convincing case for the continued vitality of cinema as an art form.
FIPRESCI Prize for Best International Screenplay: “The Zone of Interest.”
Jury Statement: This prize goes to Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, a beautifully restrained piece of work that is equal parts unnerving and terrifying, with a narrative that sustains interest throughout. The film haunts long after the credits roll- such is the power of the sharply written screenplay.
FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actress in a International Feature Film: Leonie Benesch, “The Teacher’s Lounge.”
Jury Statement: As a teacher who finds herself overwhelmed by the unexpected consequences of trying to do the right thing, Leonie Benesch turns in a tightly controlled performance that propels the narrative forward and dares to speak volumes about the world we exist in today. For her ferocious work in The Teacher’s Lounge, we award Leonie Benesch the FIPRESCI award for best actress.
FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actor in an International Feature Film: Mads Mikkelsen, “The Promised Land”
Jury Statement: Transcending centuries, he steps right out of his 18th century costume and into the heart of the viewer. For a compelling and convincing performance as Ludvig – conqueror and fertilizer of the barren Danish moorland – in the historical drama “The Promised Land”, we give the FIPRESCI award to Mads Mikkelsen.
The FIPRESCI jury members were Marriska Fernandes (Canadian Film Critic), Steffen Moestrup (Danish Film Critic), and Wilfred Okiche (Nigerian Film Critic).
BEST DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Documentary Award is presented to the director for the most compelling non-fiction filmmaking from among those selected to screen at the festival. The films in competition were:
- “All Illusions Must Be Broken” (United States) Director Laura Dunn, Jef Sewell (World Premiere)
- “Bad Faith” (United States) Director Stephen Ujlaki, Chris Jones (World Premiere)
- “Copa 71” (United Kingdom) Director Rachel Ramsay, James Erskine
- “The Echo” (Mexico/Germany) Director Tatiana Huezo
- “The Gullspång Miracle” (Sweden/Norway/Denmark) Director Maria Fredriksson
- “In the Rearview” (Poland/France/Ukraine) Director Maciek Hamela
- “The Mother of all Lies (Morocco/Egypt/Saudi Arabia/Qatar) Director Asmae El Moudir
- ”Queendom (France/United States) Director Agniia Galdanova
- “They Shot the Piano Player” (Spain/France/Netherlands/Portugal/Peru) Director Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal
- “This World is Not My Own” (United States/Sweden) Director Petter Ringbom, Marquise Stillwell
Best Documentary Award: “The Echo”
Best Documentary Award Special Mention: “This World is Not My Own”
Jury Statement: “The Echo” brings the pleasures of being in the hands of a master filmmaker, whose thoughtful employ of the power of cinema doesn’t overwhelm the material. It brings us closer to the cycles of life and the dawning of maturity in a family and a community.
The films were juried by Nive Das (Brown Girls Doc Mafia), Ken Jacobson (Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute), and Elvis Mitchell (KCRW).
NEW VOICES NEW VISIONS AWARD
The New Voices New Visions Award focuses on films that the festival programming team felt represent the most distinctive new directors who have emerged in the last year. Each of the following 10 films in competition represents the filmmaker’s debut or second feature:
- “Animalia” (Morocco/Qatar/France) Director Sofia Alaoui
- “The Animal Kingdom” (France) Director Thomas Cailley
- “The Burdened” (Yemen/Sudan/Saudi Arabia) Director Amr Gamal
- “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” (Canada) Director Ariane Louis-Seize (U.S. Premiere)
- “The Kitchen (United Kingdom) Director Kibwe Tavares, Daniel Kaluuya (North American Premiere)
- “Solitude (Iceland/Slovakia/France) Director Ninna Pálmadóttir
- “Stolen (India) Director Karan Tejpal (North American Premiere)
- “The Sweet East (United States) Director Sean Price Williams
- Tiger Stripes” (Malaysia/Taiwan/Singapore/France/Germany/Netherlands/Indonesia/Qatar) Director Amanda Nell Eu
- “We Have Never Been Modern” (Czech Republic/Slovakia) Director Matěj Chlupáček (U.S. Premiere)
Jury Statement: THE ANIMAL KINGDOM deftly and boldly melds contemporary socio-political and ecological themes with genre. Thomas Cailley has made a dystopian sci-fi fantasy film that is also an emotional coming-of-age story and a family drama with heart. For its bold creative vision, craftsmanship and storytelling, the jury has selected THE ANIMAL KINGDOM as the winner of the 2024 New Voices New Visions Award.
New Voices New Visions Award: The Animal Kingdom (France) Director Thomas Cailley
New Voices New Visions Special Mention: Animalia (Morocco/Qatar/France) Director Sofia Alaoui
The films were juried by Liliana Granados (Independent Producer), Sonaiya Kelley (Los Angeles Times), and Jacqueline Lyanga (Global Cinematheque/Berlinale).
IBERO-AMERICAN AWARD
The Ibero-American Award is presented to the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal selected to screen at the festival. The award aims to highlight the creativity seen in modern Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American films. The films in competition were:
- “20,000 Species of Bees” (Spain) Director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
- “The Delinquents” (Argentina/Brazil/Luxembourg/Chile) Director Rodrigo Moreno
- “The Echo” (Mexico/Germany) Director Tatiana Huezo
- “The Fishbowl” (Puerto Rico/Spain) Director Glorimar Marrero Sánchez
- “Going Varsity in Mariachi” (USA) Director Alejandra Vasquez, Sam Osborn
- “Let the Dance Begin” (Argentina/Spain) Director Marina Seresesky
- “Power Alley” (Brazil/France/Uruguay) Director Lillah Halla (U.S. Premiere)
- “Puan” (Argentina/Brazil/Germany/Italy/France) Director Maria Alché, Benjamín Naishtat (U.S. Premiere)
- “Robot Dreams” (Spain/France) Director Pablo Berger
- “Tótem” (Mexico/Denmark/France) Director Lila Avilés
Jury Statement: We ultimately selected POWER ALLEY for its intense and relatable exploration of a timely issue that continues to affect women around the world. The relationships of the actors are loving and intimate while also celebrating the unique people of Brazil.
Ibero-American Award: Power Alley (Brazil/France/Uruguay) Director Lillah Halla (U.S. Premiere)
Ibero-American Special Mention: 20,000 Species of Bees (Spain) Director Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren
The films were judged by Aitch Alberto (Vaca Frita Inc.), Kristen Lopez (TheWrap), and Sheryl Santacruz (Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival).
LOCAL JURY AWARD
The Local Jury Award is presented to the film, which promotes understanding and acceptance between people. The films in competition were as follows:
- “In the Rearview” (Poland) Director Maciek Hamela
- “Late Bloomers” (USA) Director Lisa Steen
- “The Old Oak” (United Kingdom) Director Ken Loach
- “Wonderland” (Singapore/Malaysia/USA) Director Chai Yee-Wei
Local Jury Award: Wonderland (Singapore/Malaysia/United States) Director Chai Yee-Wei
Jury Statement: Because this film revealed a layered story about universal and timeless themes leaving nothing to the imagination, we, the jury, chose “Wonderland” to receive the Local Jury Award.
The films were judged by Diana Acosta (La Quinta), Marco Garcia (Indio), Joan Heeter (Palm Springs), Athalie Laguerre (Palm Springs), and Kathy Kaye Retardo (Palm Springs).
YOUNG CINEASTES AWARD
The Young Cineastes jury is composed of local students who not only have shown talent and aspirations for making films but a sincere passion for watching and learning more about cinema and life at every moment possible. The films in competition were:
- “Big Boys” (USA) Director Corey Sherman
- “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” (Canada) Director Ariane Louis-Seize
- “Listen Up!” (Norway) Director Kaveh Tehrani
- “A Normal Family” (South Korea) Director Hur Jin-ho
Young Cineastes Award: “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person.”
Jury Statement: For its charming characters, endearing relationships, compelling soundtrack, and how it envisions the realistic qualities of youth, we present the award to “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person.” Director Ariane Louise-Seize moved us with a story that shows how each and every one of us are unique and how what we perceive as our weaknesses can actually be strengths.
The films were judged by Ishaan Gil (Palm Springs), Thomas Alan Nelson (Palm Desert), and Lyla Valentine (Palm Desert).
THE MOZAIK BRIDGING THE BORDERS AWARD
At a time when physical, religious, racial, cultural, and economic borders divide the population of our planet, efforts to bridge those borders should be appreciated. In that spirit, Cinema Without Borders presents the MOZAIK Bridging the Borders Award to a film that is most successful in bridging and connecting the people of our world closer together. The winner of the 2024 MOZAIK Bridging the Borders Award presented by Cinema Without Borders and sponsored by MOZAIK Philanthropy will receive a cash award of $2500. The films in competition were:
- “Behind the Haystacks” (Greece/Germany/North Macedonia) Director Asimina Proedrou (North American Premiere)
- “Bonjour Switzerland” (Switzerland/Italy) Director Peter Luisi (U.S. Premiere)
- “Bye Bye Tiberias” (Palestine/France/Belgium/Qatar) Director Lina Soualem
- “Goodbye Julia” (Sudan/Egypt/Germany/France/Saudi Arabia/Sweden) Director Mohamed Kordofani
- “Green Border? (Poland/France/Czech Republic/Belgium) Director Agnieszka Holland
- “In Flames” (Pakistan/Canada) Director Zarrar Kahn (U.S. Premiere)
- “The Old Oak:” (United Kingdom) Director Ken Loach
- “Opponent” (Sweden) Director Milad Alami
- “Running on Sand” (Israel) Director Adar Shafran (International Premiere)
- “Shoshana” (United Kingdom/Italy) Director Michael Winterbottom (U.S. Premiere)
MOZAIK Bridging the Borders Award: “Green Border”
MOZAIK Bridging the Borders Special Mention: “The Old Oak”
The films were juried by Susan Morgan Cooper, Marcy Garriott, Vladek Juszkiewicz, Philippe Mora, Arameh Etemadi, and Hammad Zaidi.
