Our second annual festival was held this past weekend, and exceeded my expectations once again. I’m grateful to our staff, volunteers, audience, and especially to our filmmakers, and I want to recognize those films awarded by our juries and audience. Thank you to all our jury members for their hard work and for lending us their expertise. Congratulations to these filmmakers but also to all the rest of the filmmakers who allowed us to share their work during the festival. Toronto enjoyed watching your films and we can’t wait to see what you’re working on next!
Award Winners 2019
Best Narrative Film
Patision Avenue (Dir: Thanasis Neofotistos)
Jury statement: The director masterfully lets us tap into the protagonist’s rapidly rising pulse while handling a mother’s everyday challenges in streets under the siege of an aggressive political riot.
Best Documentary Film
Dulce (Dirs: Guille Isa, Angello Faccini)
Jury statement: A subtle and moving portrait of a Colombian mother and daughter harvesting clams amidst the existential threats of climate change, this has the deft storytelling of a scripted film, accumulating power and significance rather than demanding it. Intimate and observational, the film’s success lies in its focus on impression and vignette over traditional narrative, conveying a vital message without preaching. Sometimes the greatest works of art are those that feel simultaneously about the smallest stories and the enormity of being alive; to see that in a work of nonfiction is an impressive feat indeed.
Best Animated Film
Pura Vida (Dir: Nata Metlukh)
Jury statement: Great fun! Nice design and style and funny stuff!
Audience Award – TIE
Nefta Football Club (Dir: Yves Piat)
Girl in the Hallway (Dir: Valerie Barnhart)
There were also jury special mentions in the three categories:
- Special Mention (Narrative): Repugnant (Dir: Kyan Krumdieck)
- Special Mention (Documentary): The Snowball Treasury (Dir: Kara Blake)
- Special Mention (Animated): Good Intentions (Dir: Anna Mantzaris)