Relationship man vs. nature and politics focus of winners Go Short Awards
Winning films invite dialogue about the future
During the 16th edition of Go Short, the coveted Go Short Awards were presented tonight during a live show. The awards are an important springboard for the Oscars, BAFTA and European Film Awards, among others. From a packed auditorium at LUX, in Nijmegen’s hometown, the jury announced to filmmakers who had won the awards.
Grandmamauntsistercat by Zuza Banasińska won the Dutch Competition and Cold and Dark by Peter Hostak won the award for best European documentary. The jury was also impressed with emerging talent. Aliha Thalien’s Nos îles was the winner of the New Arrivals Competition. There are people in the Forest by Szymon Ruczyński received both a special mention at the New Arrivals Competition and was chosen as the winner by the Youth Jury.
On Sunday, the winning films as well as audience favorites can still be viewed at LUX in the Jury Winners & Audience Favorites programs. For the complete program see: Film program Go Short 2024 – Go Short
Dutch competition
Grandmamauntsistercat by Zuza Banasińska was awarded the prize for best Dutch film by the professional jury. In it, using found footage from the archives of the Polish Educational Film Studio, the classic Slavic witch figure Baba Jaga is reimagined as a prehistoric goddess from the time of the matriarchy. The jury was impressed by the way the creator deconstructs images while playing with them, creating a musical rhythm and flow.
New Arrivals Competition
Nos îles by Aliha Thalien managed, according to the jury, both casually and lucidly, to paint a contrasting portrait of a little-known overseas territory, where the image of paradise gradually gives way to politics and a desire for independence. Thalien therefore went home with the Go Short Award for best newcomer. A special mention went to There are people in the Forest by Szymon Ruczyński.
European Film Awards
Precise and intelligent, the jury called Out of the Blue by Morgane Frund. Therefore, this video essay of a disturbing experience and its lasting effect on sexual awakening and identity was nominated by the jury as a candidate for the European Film Awards.
European competition
In the category of best European fiction, Saleh Kashefi’s And How Miserable is the Home of Evil won the award. The jury was impressed by this film that generates tension, blurs the lines between documentary and fiction, and opens new avenues in manifesting a not-so-distant future.
Cold and Dark by Peter Hostak was chosen as best European documentary. The film depicts the dreamy journey of a draft horse named Kubo and his logging community in rural Slovakia. The jury was touched by this film, which shows systems at work, and questions man’s place in relation to his environment. In this category, Avitaminosis by Kateryna Ruzhyna received a special mention.
The award for best European Animation went to Baigal Nuur – Lake Baikal by Alisi Telengut. Drawing from culture and nature, this film is an attempt to preserve a receding identity by painting and sculpting layers of animation that accumulate in an object that evokes memories of the endangered Buryat-Mongolian language. The special mention went to Tako Tsubo by Fanny Sorgo and Eva Pedroza
Eye Tunes (Music Video Competition)
This year, 13 music videos competed for an award. The winner ended up being The End Of The World by Leo van Kann. This video captivated the judges with its content, which seamlessly blended an array of visual styles. “The sophisticated execution transported us to another world and evoked in us a poignant nostalgia that lingered until…the end of the world.” A special mention went to Doctor Cinavim by Ömer Deniz
Youth Award
A special youth jury threw itself into the task of choosing the most appealing film for young people. According to them, the film they chose needs no words to fully understand the story It is the symbolism, the way the film is portrayed and the powerful and important message that sheds light on those who remain unseen. It tells the story not just of one person, but of many, around the world. It is authentic, confrontational and stirs a whole range of emotions while watching and discussing it. The Youth Award therefore went to There Are People in the Forest by Szymon Ruczynski (also Special Mention New Arrivals Competition). A special mention went to Avitaminosis by Kateryna Ruzhyna (also Special Mention European Documentary)
Audience Award
The audience also made its voice heard en masse, proclaiming Between Delicate and Violent by Şirin Bahar Demirel as the winner of the audience award. This film depicts the excavation of traumatic memories not recorded in family albums.