The French-Greek film Moon, 66 Questions by Jacqueline Lentzou won the Golden Puffin, the main prize of RIFF, this year, as the festival was held for the eighteenth time and was very well attended. The awards were presented at the festival's awards ceremony which took place at the Máls og Menning Bookstore at 5 pm, while Lilja Alfreðsdóttir, Minister of Education and Culture, formally closed the festival.
A total of six awards were given, including: Free men (Free Men) by Óskar Kristin Vignisson award for the best Icelandic short film. The Young People's Award was presented for the first time, but special NFTs were also presented alongside each award, making RIFF the first film festival in the world to enter the digital world of film.
Jury's comment on the winning film Moon, 66 Questions
"Moon, 66 Questions is a work that paints a multi-layered and captivating picture of love and reconciliation, secrets and painful truths, family ties and long-overdue freedom. A film that is not afraid to take risks, at once sharp and sincere, directed with a unique vision and brought to life by courageous and captivating performances.”
The Golden Puffin is awarded in the competition categories. The wise, consisting of a director's first or second film. Jury The lights consisted of Trine Dyrholm, actress and guest of honor at RIFF, Yorgos Krassakopoulos, program director of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Gagga Jónsdóttir, filmmaker, Aníta Bríem, actress, and Gísli Örn Garðarsson, actor and director.
From the competition category The wise The films also received special recognition from the jury. Wild Men (Savage) by Thomas Daneskov and Clara Sola by Nathalie Alvarez Mesén. Clara Sola also received a nomination from the Youth Jury.
Awards in the program category A Different Tomorrow received Zinder by Aicha Macky. The Party A Different Tomorrow consists of documentaries that deal in one way or another with environmental and/or human rights issues.
Regret by Björn Rúnarsson was chosen as the best Icelandic student film and Last chance by Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir received special recognition from the jury in that category.
Award for Best Film in the International Short Films category Strangers by Nora Longatti, but special recognition from the jury in the same category went to State of Elevation by Isabelle Prim. Golden Egg Award, short films by participants of the RIFF "Talent Lab" film workshop. received Drowning Goat by Sebastian Johansson Micci.
All the films can be seen at HOME RIFLE (watch.riff.is), where viewers can enjoy the film festival in the comfort of their own living room. Moon, 66 Question, Clara Sola, Wild Men and Zinder will be on the program on the final day of the festival at Bíó Paradís.
Visions – The Golden Puffin
The jury consisted of: George Krassakopoulos, Trine Dyrholm, Jon's Gagga, Anita Briem, Gisli Orn Gardarsson
Winner of the Golden Puffin: Moon, 66 Questions
Jury review: "The work paints a multi-layered and fascinating picture of love and reconciliation, secrets and painful truths, family ties and long-overdue freedom. A film that is not afraid to take risks, at once sharp and sincere, directed with a unique vision and brought to life by courageous and captivating performances."
Special recognition from the jury Clara Sola and Wild Men.
The jury's review of Clara Sola: "A film with a unique vision and decisive artistic integrity that blends the mystical with the realistic in a captivating and urgent story of self-discovery and empowerment."
Jury review of Wild Men: "A sensitive but sharp comedy about the slightly awkward fate of finding one's place in an ever-changing modern world. A story told with humor and a taste for the absurd that turns out to be remarkably profound."
New Visions Jury's statement on Wild Men: "A delicate but subversive comedy about the sometimes absurd quest to redefine your place in an ever-shifting modern world. A story told with humor and a taste for the absurd that it proves to be deceptively profound and rich."
Clara Sola also received the Young People's Jury Award.
The jury was composed of: Katla Gunnlaugsdottir, Kolbrun Oskarsdottir, Markus Loki Gunnarsson, Sigtyr Aegir Karason, Snædis Björnsdottir.
A Different Tomorrow
The jury consisted of: Guillaume Calop, Marie Zeniter, Silja Hauksdottir
Winner in Another Future – Zinder by Aicha Macky.
"Tonight we want to award a film that has moved us because of the brutal subject matter it presents in a sensitive and tender way. The world of the film is filled with violence, but there is still room for redemption. Through relationships and trust, people manage to lift each other to a higher level and make the world a better place. That is why the award goes to the competition category." A Different Tomorrow to Zinder.
Because she grew up in Zinder, the filmmaker is treated Aïcha Macky as an insider of the Kara-Kara people who grant her access to their lives. Her presence is never intrusive and is characterized by respect – her camera shows care for everyone and her compassionate gaze illuminates dark places.”
International short films
The jury was composed of: Ninna Pálmadóttir, Oscar Paul Sveinsson, Sonja Wyss
The International Shorts Award – Strangers by Nora Longatti.
The International Shorts Jury's statement on Strangers: "The 2021 International Short Film winner is a film that feels especially relevant during a time where most of us are urging to connect with one another. In its simplicity and quietness STRANGERS portrays – through its odd and sensitive protagonist – a deep sense of vulnerability and heartwarming curiosity. The humble execution allows for space to observe and feel like a part of the intimacy created by the story.”
The International Shorts Special Mention: State of Elevation by Isabelle Prim.
The International Shorts Jury's statement on State of Elevation: "Our special mention goes to a documentary piece that showed the extraordinary ability of telling a poetic story with found footage in a way rarely seen, 'State of Elevation' is both intriguing and leaves space for the spectator to evoke its own associations."
Icelandic short films
The jury was composed of: Anton Mani Svansson, Nathalie Mierop, Thora Björg Clausen
The best Icelandic short film is Frjálsir menn by Óskar Kristin Vignisson.
"The winner of the Icelandic short film competition is a comedy about dreaming big in a place where everything and everyone, including your best friend, seems to be holding you back. It is also the short film that touches on the situation of immigrants and the treatment of people in low-paid jobs in Europe."
"Free Men (Frie mænd) by Óskar Kristin Vignisson is a gorgeous and solid short film that contains a thoughtful and funny narrative, as well as amazing visual presentation and great acting."
The best Icelandic student short film, Regret, by Björn Rúnarsson
"The direction, use of story setting, and cinematography in Aftermath impressed the jury, and we are curious to see how Björn Rúnarsson will develop as a director."
Special recognition from the jury in the same category was awarded to Last chance by Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir: "A funny and solid drama with an original and clear story idea."
The Golden Egg
The jury appointed: Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir, Runar Runarsson, Vincent Boy Kars
The golden egg was awarded Drowning Goat by Sebastian Johansson Micci.
The Golden Egg Jury's statement on Drowning Goat: "At film festivals like RIFF, we get an opportunity to access the newest trends and the best of modern cinema. These films are like windows into people's lives all around the world. Often these films portray co-human elements that give us a reflection on our own life and own culture. The films in the Talent lab program are no exception to that.
There, the emerging filmmakers are preparing for their future and therefore our future as an audience as well. The jury was happy to discover that the future is bright. The winner of the Golden Egg has an exceptional humanistic approach and sincerity towards its themes. A rare talent that we are looking forward to following in the coming years.”
