MS Word Version

Award-winners at the 28 th Durban International Film Festival

Best Film: Ezra (France/Nigeria/Austria) directed by Newton Aduaka
… “a bold and daring film that takes us into the heart of the politics of war and hatred. Ezra does not want to appease the eye; instead it wants us to look the ugly truth in the face. The film boasts a superb dramatic narrative structure, and an excellent cast of faces and locations. It is a deserved winner.”

Best South African Feature Film: Heartlines , directed by Angus Gibson
… “ sets a challenge to South African filmmakers with its depth of characterisation, its attention to cinematographic detail and its unflinching adherence to its core message of redemption.”

Best First Feature Film: shared by The Unpolished (Germany), directed by Pia Marais and The Unforgiven (Korea), directed by Yoon Jong-bin
… “ The Unforgiven is a patient and beautifully shot film that talks about the world of men and their inability of communicate. The Unpolished is an autobiographic film of laudable courage and subtlety. Both films boast strong performances and a successful 'mise en scene'.”

Best Direction: Jia Zhang-Ke for Still Life (Hong Kong/China)
… “ Jia Zhang-Ke takes us along with his protagonists to an unknown land, and employs his mastery over all the elements of filmmaking to submerge us in this poetic world. A masterpiece by a master filmmaker.”

Best Actress: Cherry Pie Picache in Summer Heat (Philippines)
… “for a sustained and controlled performance of the character of the gay sister, Jess, who despite her apparent cultivated masculine exterior betrays a softness which can hardly be seen but can be felt by all.”

Best Actor: Emir Hadzihafisbegovic in Armin (Croatia/Germany/Bosnia and Herzegovina)
… “for a great minimalist, subtle, but extremely accurate performance. Emir Hadzihafisbogovic makes his character extremely believable and likable.”

Best Cinematography: Christophe Lanzenberg for The Sensation Of Sight (USA)
… “the smooth and poetic camera movement and the very moody and soft texture of the lighting work in perfect harmony with the storytelling and the subject.”

Best Screenplay: Gal Uchovsky and Eytan Fox for The Bubble (Israel)
… “ well-written, devoid of clichés, and with a strong political message, The Bubble shows us the madness of a world torn by strife and intolerance, and attempts to show us a way out of it. With its tight and tension-filled storyline, it also manages to balance the Israeli and the Palestinian sides of the story.”

Special Jury Prize: Meisie (South Africa), directed by Darrell James Roodt
… “showing courage and determination to get films made, Darrell Roodt has made a tender film with a simple idea and a cast of non-professionals. It will hopefully inspire a new generation of South African filmmakers to make a different kind of cinema.”

Best Documentary: Cats of Mirikitani (USA), directed by Linda Hattendorf
… “for a sensitive and compelling story that teases out the extraordinary transformation from internal conflict to personal resolution. Cats of Mirikitani is a film that has universal appeal, in which the director shows extreme self-restraint and in so doing produces a poetic, nuanced film about the triumph of the human spirit.”

Special Mention Documentary: Nömadak Tx (Spain) directed by Raul de la Fuente, Pablo Iraburu, Harkaitz Mtnez. de San Vincente and Igor Otxoa.
…”visually beautiful and genuinely honest in its pursuit of exchange and dialogue, Nömadak Tx poetically chronicles a journey of cultural collaboration through the shared love of music. Uncontrived and fluid, the film brings hope to a world ravaged by conflict.”

Best South African Documentary: The Mother's House directed by Francois Verster.
… “for a brutally honest and sensitive portrait, intimate and thoughtfully edited which reveals a story that speaks to the erosion of innocence and the complexity of the transformation from adolescent to teenager.”

Best Short Film: Sekalli Le Meokgo (Meokgo and the Stickfighter) (South Africa), directed by Teboho Mahlatsi
… “ magical, beautifully executed, this short film found its own conceptual language through the subtle use of dialogue and poetic silences. The story celebrates diversity and illustrates tradition and its modern transformation without being romantic. It is truly a product of love that resonates with the human condition.”

Best South African Short Film: Sekalli Le Meokgo (Meokgo and the Stickfighter) (South Africa), directed by Teboho Mahlatsi
See Best Short Film citation above.

Big Fish School of Digital Film Short Film Newcomer Award:
Amambuka Westrike (South Africa) directed by Marthinus Lamprecht
… “for telling a socially relevant story and providing an emotionally balanced take on a historically important event.”

Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award: Shame (Pakistan), directed by Mohammed Naqvi
…”[for bringing the story of] Mukhtaran Mai [who] bravely endured a lengthy court ordeal and eventual conviction of the men who had raped her. Her courage and persistence finally led to international media coverage and financial support which enabled her to open a school for girls in her home village.”…

Audience Choice Best Feature Film: Red Like the Sky (Rosso Come Il Cielo) directed by Cristiano Bortone.

FILM JURIES

BEST SOUTH AFRICAN FEATURE FILM JURY
Junaid Ahmed, producer and director, Fineline Productions
Darren Murray, filmmaker, Collective Film and Video
Madoda Ncayiyana, director, Vuleka Productions.

DOCUMENTARIES AND SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARIES JURY
Val Adamson, photographer
Vashna Jagarnath, historian, UKZN
Greg Streak, Artist and filmmaker

SHORT FILM JURY
Doung Anwar Jahangeer, nultimedia artist and architect
Edmund Mhlongo, filmmaker, MUFIP/KCAP
Maganthrie Pillay, filmmaker, Masala Productions

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DURBAN HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD JURY
Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Gay and Lesbian Community Centre/Amnesty International
David Spurret, philosophy department, UKZN
Coral Vinsen, Amnesty International Durban
 

www.cca.ukzn.ac.za