INTERFILM 38 International Short Film Festival Berlin
15 - 20 November 2022

Awards & Winners 2022

International Competition

Warsha Dania Bdeir // France, Libanon // 2021 // 15:42 min

Berlin-Brandenburg Short Award - Best Film
6000,- €
Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg

Jury statement: This story of a wonderful talent, who needs his own space to break free is incredibly empowering and important. The plot is surprising and inviting you to get over your prejudice while focussing on the beauty and passion of its main character. The Berlin – Brandenburg Short Award – Best Film sponsored by Medienboard Berlin – Brandenburg worth 6000€ cash goes to WARSHA by Dania Bdeir.
Too Rough Sean Lionadh // Scotland // 2022 // 16:00 min

Best Live Action
3.000,- € (associated use of the non-commercial educational rights for the German-speaking region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) for the film by KFW) Katholisches Filmwerk. The prize-winning film will qualify for consideration in the Short Film Category of the Annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided that the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

Jury statement: The film accomplishes an intense emotional immediacy through its strong storytelling and its wonderful characters. Subtly interwoven in all the hysteria and dysfunctionality there are glimmers of love and warmth that makes the film unique. The Best Live Action award, consisting of the acquisition of the non commercial rights in German speaking countries worth 3000€ by Katolisches Filmwerk, goes to Too Rough by Sean Lionadh.
Beste Animation
Petit cogneur / Little smasher Gilles Cuvelier // France // 2022 // 13:56 min

Best Animation
3.000,- €
SAE Institute
The prize-winning film will qualify for consideration in the Short Film Category of the Annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided that the film otherwise complies with the Academy rules.

Jury statement: A cornfield and a power line, a bus in a snowy and hilly landscape. This dreamlike and beautiful animation takes us on a poetic and emotional journey through a family’s past and shows their struggles and their unbridled solidarity in this very personal yet universally mesmerizing story. The Award for the Best Animation in the International Competition, sponsored by SAE Institue, worth 3000€ cash goes to Petit cogneur (Little Smasher) by Gilles Cuvelier.
Groom Leyla Coll-O'Reilly // Scotland // 2022 // 16:38 min

Best Cinematography
Postproduction worth 5.000,- €
D-Facto Motion

Jury statement: The playful and inventive camera work stood out for us. We liked the creative little details to show us the perspective and fantasies of the protagonist while also showcasing in great detail the craft of the women who work in the beauty salon. The Award for the Best Cinematography sponsored by D-Facto Motion worth 5000€ post production goes to GROOM by Leyla Coll-O'Reilly.
Bevisbyrden / Burden of proof Ivar Aase // Norway // 2021 // 09:00 min

Best Sound Design
Ableton Live 11 Suite worth 600,- €

Jury statement: For it's ability to use sound in a creative and powerful way in a film that sheds light on a relevant issue affecting many woman today. The award for the Best Sound Design sponsored by Ableton valued at 600€ for an Ableton Live 10 Suite, goes to Burden of Proof by Ivar Aase.

Special Mentions

Sidéral
Carlos Segundo // France, Brasil // 2021 // 15:00 min

Jury statement: In beautiful black and white images and mostly tableau-like shots, each scene looks like a piece of art inviting the viewer to contemplate and wonder. Minimalistic, absurd and with a hint of melodramatic elements this short film tells of hidden dreams, longings and disengagements. A Special Mention in the International Competition goes to Sidéral by Carlos Segundo.

A Guitar in the Bucket / 버킷
Boyoung Kim // Denmark, Republik Korea // 2021 // 14:40 min

Jury statement: For playfully using animation to show our obsession with consumerism and capitalism and in the process making it difficult for the young to achieve their dreams, a Special Mention in the International Competition goes to A Guitar in the Bucket by Boyoung Kim.

Confrontation Competition

It's Nice in Here Robert-Jonathan Koeyers // Netherlands // 2022 // 15:00 min

1st Prize
2.000,- €
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung

Jury statement: The poetic unfolding of fragmented memories behind a tragic event, almost as a stream of consciousness, transports us into the intimate world of two strangers. This sensitive portrayal continues to linger with its haunting reflection on perception and bias at the core. The First Prize in the Confrontations Competition worth 2000€ cash, sponsored by Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung goes to It's Nice in Here by Robert-Jonathan Koeyers.

Confrontation Competition

Jadeh 99 / Road 99 Nesar Zarifi // France, Germany, Afghanistan // 2022 // 12:56 min

2nd Prize
1.000,- €
Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung

Jury statement: This film gives an intense feeling of terror: it's not safe, there’s no safe place. The simplicity of a road movie, the directing and acting, bring us closer to the intimate setting in which we find two protagonists. Despite the intense subject matter of “Road 99,” such as fear, repressive governments and wars, the film also reminds us that freedom and peace should be fundamental for all human existence. The Second Prize in the Confrontations Competition worth 1000€ cash, sponsored by Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung cash goes to ROAD 99 by Nesar Zarifi.

Special Mentions

Warsha
Dania Bdeir // France, Lebanon // 2021 // 15:42 min

Jury statement: If hope had a shape – this film would, probably, be it. The visual atmosphere of this short story is a wonderful way of depicting one’s spirit without saying a word. Despite all the challenges that the protagonist faces, seeking freedom in its essence is so strong that it is joyful and rewarding to witness. The Special Mention in the Confrontations Competition goes to Warsha by Dania Bdeir.

Granny's Sexual Life
Émilie Pigeard / Urška Djukić // Slovenia, France // 2021 // 13:00 min

Jury statement: This provocative animated film confronts deeply rooted taboo topics in a shape of a trustful conversation between different generations. The past is current. Some forms of torture can still be discreet and ignored, and while the story takes place in Slovenia, it makes us pay attention to what’s going on in the contemporary world. The director found a loving witty way to discuss serious issues. The Special Mention in the Confrontations Competition goes to Granny’s Sexual Life by Émilie Pigeard and Urška Djukić.

Documentary Competition

Haulout Evgenia Arbugaeva / Maxim Arbugaev / Maxim Chakilev // United Kingdom, Russia // 2022 // 25:00 min

Best documentary film
1.000,- €
fritz-kola

Jury statement: Through this skillfully crafted film we experience a natural phenomenon and connect with the Siberian arctic, walrusses and their observer. The outstanding camera work and storytelling capture the plight of the animals and dedication of one biologist’s work, reflecting an urgent topic. The Award for the Best Documentary in the Documentary Competition sponsored by fritz-kola worth 1000€ cash goes to Haulout by Evgenia Arbugaeva, Maxim Arbugaev and Maxim Chakilev.

German Competition

Hundefreund / DogFriend Maissa Lihedheb // Germany // 2022 // 18:00 min

1st prize
Postproduction worth 5.000,- €
D-Facto Motion

Jury statement: Movies have the power to affect human beings emotionally and convey hidden aspects of life to the surface. This sensitive film manages to surprise the audience again and again with its thoughtful imagery, acting and interesting story decisions. It is a well thought out movie with an own and important voice. The 1st prize in the German Competition sponsored by D-Facto Motion worth 5000€ Post-production value, goes to Hundefreund/Dogfriend by Maissa Lihedheb.
The Art of Authenticity Carlo Oppermann // Germany // 2022 // 06:09 min

2nd prize
Equipment rental worth 2.500,- €
25p cine support

Jury statement: With excellent acting and terribly effective comic timing this film perfectly handles irony to make us laugh but also confronts us with our excesses and negligence. The 2nd prize in the German Competition sponsored by 25p cine support, worth 2500€ equipment rental by 25p cine support goes to The Art of Authenticity by Carlo Oppermann.
Sven nicht jetzt, wann dann…? / If not now, then when…? Jens Rosemann // Germany // 2021 // 03:33 min

Audience Award
1000,- €
& Nomination to the touring program from the
European Short Film Audience Award
RIM Hagar Faibish // Deutschland // 2022 // 06:44 min

FBW-Sonderpreis zur Förderung des besonderen Kurzfilms / Kinderkurzfilms
FBW Special Award for the Promotion of Special Short Film / Children's Short Film
FBW - Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung

Jury statement: For its freshness, surprising power and for braking the Imagination boundaries the FBW Special Prize for the promotion of the extraordinary short / children’s short films / valuation of a short/ children’s short films by Deutsche Film- und Medienbewertung goes to RIM by Hagar Faibish.

Special Mention

Warum begeht Helen Koch schweren Kraftwagendiebstahl? / Why does Helen Koch commit serious vehicle theft?
Moritz Geiser // Germany // 2022 // 22:00 min

 

Green Film Competition

Carné e s / Rare Léo Deschênes // Frankreich // 2021 // 16:00 min

Best environmental film
2.000,- €
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V.

Eject_XXIV - The Long Night Of Weird Shorts

Sven nicht jetzt, wann dann…? / If not now, then when…? Jens Rosemann // Germany // 2021 // 03:33 min

Audience award for the weirdest & most wonderful film
1000,- €
Frey Steuerberatung

European Short Film Audience Award

10 partnerfestivals : Brussels Short Film Festival (Belgium), (Clermont-Ferrand (France), Encounters (United Kingdom), Go Short (The Netherlands), Curtas Vila do Conde (Portugal), Interfilm Berlin (Germany), Alciné (Spain), Short Waves (Poland), Tampere (Finland), Wiz-Art (Ukraine))are happy to announce the launch of the European Short Film Audience Award.
After they won the favour of their national audience, the 10 short films are now on a quest to win the hearts of 511 millions Europeans !
A program of 10 short films that received the national audience award in one of the 10 partnerfestivals and will be submitted to the European publics vote.
The winner of the European Short Film Award will receive € 3500 offered by the Representation of the European Commission in Belgium.
The award will be launched in April 2021 during the 24th Brussels Short Film Festival.

Script Pitch Competition

Deep Sea Blue Hilke Rönnfeldt / Dänemark

Best Script Pitch
2.000€
& CineSud ShortLab Training Program including 2 writers room sessions, 2 directing sessions, 1 editing and 1 distributing session(with a total value of 5.000€)

Special Mention

TRANSACTION
Wanjeri Gakuru / Nairobi/ Kenia

Jury Statement: Our special mention goes to a very well-tuned script about a young woman fulfilling her long-awaited need for pleasure through self-love and empowerment. Giving a humorous tone to an urgent topic has the potential to bring it to a broad audience. The 2022 interfilm script pitch special mention goes to TRANSACTION By Wanjeri Gakuru.