French-Greek film Moon, 66 Questions by Jacqueline Lentzou received the Golden Puffin, Reykjavík International Film Festival‘s main prize, this year. The Golden Puffin is awarded to one film from the New Visions category, that focuses on director‘s debut or sophomore films.
This was the 18th edition of RIFF, which hosted a great array of international artists, such as Debbie Harry, directors Joachim Trier and Mia Hansen-Løve and actress Trine Dyrholm.
All in all, the festival gives out awards in six categories. Zinder by Aicha Macky, received the A Different Tomorrow award, the category is composed of documentaries that deal with environmental and/or human rights issues.
Best International Short was Strangers by Nora Longatti and Best Icelandic Short was Free Men by Óskar Kristinn Vignisson. The Golden Egg was awarded to Drowning Goat by Sebastian Johansson Micci and Best Icelandic Student Short was Aftersight by Björn Rúnarsson.
The Young People‘s Award was awarded for the first time, and every award was followed by a digital edition, NFT, and is RIFF‘s proud to be one of world‘s first film festivals to explore the metaverse.
The New Visions Jury Statement on Moon, 66 Questions:
„The Golden Puffin is awarded to MOON, 66 QUESTIONS by Jacqueline Lentzou, a film that paints a multilayered and intriguing tapestry of love and reconciliation, of secrets and painful truths, of family bonds and a hard earned freedom. A film that is not afraid to take risks, that is as subtle as it is heartfelt, directed with a distinct vision and brought to life by performances that are honest, brave and moving.“
The New Visions Jury members were: Trine Dyrholm, actress and RIFF‘s honorary guest, Yorgos Krassakopoulos, Head of Programming at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, Gagga Jónsdóttir, filmmaker, Aníta Bríem, actress, og Gísli Örn Garðarsson, actor/director.
The New Visions Jury gave a special mention to Wild Men by Thomas Daneskov and Clara Sola by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén. Clara Sola also received the Young People‘s Jury Award.
The Last Date received a special mention in The Iceland Student Short category and State of Elevation by Isabelle Prim received a special mention in the International Short Category.
All the films are available this weekend on RIFF@HOME, the festival‘s streaming edition, and the feature award films, Moon, 66 Question, Clara Sola, Wild Men og Zinder, will be screened on the festival‘s final day, Sunday October the 10th .
New Visions
The New Vision Jury: Yorgos Krassakopoulos, Trine Dyrholm, Gagga Jóns, Aníta Briem, Gísli Örn Garðarsson
Golden Puffin winner: Moon, 66 Questions
The New Visions Jury’s statement on Moon, 66 Questions: “The Golden Puffin is awarded to MOON, 66 QUESTIONS by Jacqueline Lentzou, a film that paints a multilayered and intriguing tapestry of love and reconciliation, of secrets and painful truths, of family bonds and a hard earned freedom. A film that is not afraid to take risks, that is as subtle as it is heartfelt, directed with a distinct vision and brought to life by performances that are honest, brave and moving.”
New Visions Special Mention: Clara Sola & Wild Men.
New Visions Jury’s statement on Clara Sola: “A film with a singular vision and clear artistic merit, that combines the mystical and the realistic in a fascinating and urgent tale of self-discovery and empowerment.”
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 Award.
The Young People’s Jury: Katla Gunnlaugsdóttir, Kolbrún Óskarsdóttir, Markús Loki Gunnarsson, Sigtýr Ægir Kárason, Snædís Björnsdóttir.
A Different Tomorrow
The Different Tomorrow Jury: Guillaume Calop, Marie Zeniter, Silja Hauksdóttir
The A Different Tomorrow Award – Zinder by Aicha Macky.
The A Different Tomorrow Jury’s statement on Zinder: “We want to award a film that has impressed us because of its brutal topic yet sensitive and gentle tone. We have discovered a world where violence reigns, yet it is a world where there is a place for redemption. Through relationships and trust, these men and women lift each other up and make their world a better place. This is why A Different Tomorrow Award goes to ZINDER.
Because she grew up in Zinder, filmmaker Aïcha Macky was treated as an insider by the people of Kara-Kara and given all access to their lives. Yet her presence is never intrusive and always respectful – her camera dignifies everyone she films, and her compassionate gaze shines a light on a very dark place.”
International Shorts
The International Shorts Jury: Ninna Pálmadóttir, Óskar Páll 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 seldomly seen, ‘State of Elevation’ is both intriguing and leaves space for the spectator to evoke its own associations. ”
Icelandic Shorts
The Icelandic Shorts Jury: Anton Máni Svansson, Nathalie Mierop, Þóra Björg Clausen
The Best Icelandic Short Award: Free Men by Óskar Kristin Vignisson.
The Icelandic Shorts Jury’s statement on Free Men: “The winner of the Icelandic Shorts Competition is a comedy about dreaming big in a place where everything and everyone, including your best friend, seems to keep holding you back. It is also a film that touches on the status of immigrants and the treatment that cheap labour in Europe can be subjected to. With FREE MEN, Óskar Kristinn Vignisson offers us a brilliant and perfectly balanced short film with everything from thoughtful and funny storytelling to stunning visuals and excellent performances.”
The Best Icelandic Student Short: Aftersight by Björn Rúnarsson
The Icelandic Shorts Jury’s statement on Aftersight: “Thanks to an operation a blind woman can see for the first time. While rediscovering the world around her she quickly loses herself in the toxic side of Instagram beauty culture. We were impressed by the direction, the use of the settings and cinematography in AFTERSIGHT and are curious to see how Björn Rúnarsson will develop as a director and are looking forward to seeing his future films.”
Icelandic Student Shorts Special Mention: The Last Date by Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir
The Icelandic student Shorts Jury’s statement on The Last Date: “A special mention goes to The Last Date, a film about a woman who, in a desperate attempt to save her relationship, starts dating on Tinder. Ásta Sól Kristjánsdóttir has made a funny and well-rounded short drama with an original and clear concept.”
The Golden Egg
The Golden Egg Jury: Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir, Rúnar Rúnarsson, Vincent Boy Kars
The Golden Egg: 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.”
