The Winner of Vilnius IFF Competition Programme – Polish Film „Courage“
March 31, 2012
The biggest intrigue of Vilnius International Film Festival (Vilnius IFF) was revealed - the winner of the competition programme "New Europe-New Names" was announced. The festival statuette and the main prize went to the Polish film "Courage". The story of two brothers and their test of humanity impressed the international jury.
The international jury consisted of the Swedish film critic Jan Lumholdt, actress and producer from Macedonia Labina Mitevska, Latvian director Maris Martinsons, actress and director Mirta Ibarra from Cuba and Russian cinematographer and director Pavel Kostomarov. The honourable five representatives of the cinema world confessed that there were no long argues deciding on what film deserves the name of the best.
“We decided unanimously to award this film for the way it shows the contradictions of human in conflict situation - the film reveals it without any stereotypes and makes the viewer think”, the famous Cuban actress Mirta Ibarra commented the jury’s determination to give the main prize to the film "Courage".
A few days before Vilnius IFF closing ceremony the director Greg Zglinski visited Lithuania and today could not arrive once again and pick the Vilnius IFF statuette and 7000 euro prize. However, he sent a video greeting saying he is extremely happy to receive an award and thanked the honourable jury, the festival and its audience in three languages - English, Polish and Lithuanian.
“It’s a pity that I cannot be here with you. Thank you for giving the prize to me. It was a pleasure to stay in Vilnius, so I really hope to come back again”, G. Zglinski said to the audience.
The jury of the competition programme also chose the best three actors. Maris Martinsons said that he saw a lot of new, good European faces, so it had been very difficult to decide and to give the award to a single actor. Jury’s appreciation and affection went to the three actresses: Ada Condeescu, for the role in film „Loverboy“, Isidor Simijonovic, the actress of „Clip“ and Anjela Nedyalkova for the role in „Ave“.
The latter debut actress was here to receive the prize, so she assured that it is of huge importance to her: “This is my first personal award. I am very excited; thank you very much for everything - not only for the prize, but also for the invitation to Vilnius. I am in love with it”, - the young actress from Bulgaria A. Nedyalkova thanked.
Director of film “Clip” Maja Milos took the best actress award, the nomination of which was a surprise for actress Isidora Simijonoviè. After the ceremony Maja Milos called to the actress and told to the assembled media representatives at the press conference that the actress Isidora Simijonoviè cried and laughed with joy after hearing the news.
The jury also gave the award for the professionalism of director and it went to Romanian director Adrian Sitaru, who created the movie "Best Intentions". The film was also chosen as the favourite of the International (He)Art Cinema Network (CICAE).
The winner of short film competition became the film "Beast" by Hungarian director Attila Till. The jury also awarded with a special mention prize the film “Infinite Minutes" directed by Cecilia Felméri from Hungary.
The film by young director Albina Griniutë “A Place we Call Home” was announced as the best Lithuanian debut.
As the Lithuanian favourite of the audience the viewers of Vilnius IFF elected the film of Rokas Eltermanas „The Last Day of the Honeymoon“ which was awarded by the founder of the prize “Svyturys”.
Not only the international jury, but also the viewers had to evaluate the films of Vilnius IFF. Audience Choice Award winner is the French comedy "Untouchable”, which only a few tenths of points outrivaled the strongest opponent, a film about the friendship of souls “Café de Flore". The French Institute director Pascal Hanse while receiving the prize thanked and mentioned the impressive numbers. It turned out that the movie "Untouchable" was already seen by 32 million viewers in Europe. How many viewers it had attracted in Lithuania, Vilnius IFF will be able to report this evening right after the film screening.
The Best Lithuanian film actress of the year was disclosed at the special evening. This title went to Toma Vaskeviciute, who was awarded with a romantic trip to Paris for two by French Cosmetics Company’s Bourjois Marketing Manager for Eastern Region and Baltic countries Yulia Voynova.
Vilnius International Film Festival Vilnius IFF, which for two weeks was a daily delight for film lovers with its memorable and spectacular films tonight with the ceremonial closing bid farewell to its fans of the capital until the next year. But tomorrow the festival moves to Kaunas, and for one day before the 9th of April - to Panevezys, Siauliai, and Klaipeda.
