As Far as I Can Walk, Exam and Otar’s Death among the winners of the non-statutory awards

AWARD OF INTERNATIONAL FILM CRITICS

Exam / Ezmûn

Directed by: Shawkat Amin Korki

Germany, Iraqi Kurdistan, Qatar, 2021

The International Federation of Film Critics jury awards the FIPRESCI Prize to a film from the Crystal Globe Competition that best promotes film art and encourages new and young cinema.

At this year’s edition of Karlovy Vary IFF the FIPRESCI prize was awarded in memory of Jan Foll (1951–2021), an unmistakable persona of Czech film criticism who influenced several generations of young journalist.

FIPRESCI JURY

Birgit Beumers, United Kingdom

Eirik Bull, Norway

Adéla Mrázová, Czech Republic

THE ECUMENICAL JURY AWARD

As Far as I Can Walk / Strahinja Banović

Directed by: Stefan Arsenijević

Serbia, France, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Lithuania, 2021

How far will a man go to fight for his love?

How much can a woman endure without her right to self-realization?

As Far as I Can Walk tells a great and humanistic love story, balanced between accurate documentary images and timeless poetry. A film taking on the harsh experiences of migration, and with an epic dimension which eventually turns into a Passion story.

ECUMENICAL JURY COMMENDATION

The Staffroom / Zbornica

Directed by: Sonja Tarokić

Croatia, 2021

The Staffroom follows newly appointed counsellor Annamarija as she intensely fights for the greater good from within a schooling institution, navigating through its politics while keeping her integrity and caring for others.

First-time feature director Sonja Tarokić shows an extraordinary palette of cinematic craftsmanship through choral and focal plays, and most importantly a genuine benevolent writing of characters. An energetic, universal and encouraging tribute to all schooling staffs around the world.

Since 1994 the Ecumenical Jury has awarded films from the Crystal Globe Competition that display high artistic quality while questioning social, political ethical, and spiritual values. It promotes directors who emphasize the search for truth, justice, and hope in accordance with Christian Gospels.

THE ECUMENICAL JURY

Pierre-Auguste Henry, France

Angelika Obert, Germany Joel Ruml, Czech Republic

FEDEORA AWARD

Otar's Death / Otar's Death

Directed by: Ioseb "Soso" Bliadze

Georgia, Germany, Lithuania, 2021

The Fedeora award goes to the well-crafted drama with a multilayered narrative about two families brought together by a misfortunate event. This surprising first feature from Georgia focuses on mother-son relationships and aspirations towards a better future.

FEDEORA JURY SPECIAL MENTION

Intensive Life Unit / Jednotka intenzivního života

Directed by: Adéla Komrzý

Czech Republic, 2021

The Special Mention of the Fedeora jury goes to a first feature documentary which bravely tackles the sensitive topic of palliative care, opening up conversations about death being a part of life.

The Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean was founded in Cannes in May 2010. Comprised of individual film critics, it forms juries and presents awards at several relevant international festivals. The FEDEORA Jury Awards the Best Film from the East of the West Competition.

FEDEORA JURY

Natascha Drubek-Meyer, Germany

Mihai Fulger, Romania

Nino Kovačić, Croatia

EUROPA CINEMAS LABEL AWARD

As Far as I Can Walk / Strahinja Banović

Directed by: Stefan Arsenijević

Serbia, France, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Lithuania, 2021

The movie As Far as I Can Walk (Strahinja Banović) is an excellent presentation of one of the most defining problems of our times, which is migration. The Europa Cinemas Label Jury fell in love with a story that combines traditional poem with contemporary issues. The young director, Stefan Arsenijević, presents the life of migrants precisely and accurately, yet anybody can relate to the intimate relationship struggles between the two main characters. We value this movie because of its outstanding cinematography, which smoothly supports the message of the story. We were also charmed by the appealing performance of the actors and believe, that the movie has a great potential to speak to various audiences of European cinemas with its strong, deep and emotional narration.

Since 2003, the Europa Cinemas Label has been awarded to a European film by a jury of Europa Cinemas exhibitors at five European festivals. It aims to increase the promotion, circulation and exhibition lifespan of winning films. The Europa Cinema Label awards the best European film from the Crystal Globe Competition and East of the West Competition.

EUROPA CINEMAS LABEL JURY

Linda Arbanová, Czech Republic

Erika Borsos, Hungary

Gregor Janežič, Slovenia