Awards 2024

DISFF#47 -2024 Closing Ceremony, Awards

NATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2024

JURY:

• Achilleas Kyriakides, writer, translator, film critic, director (President)
• Eirini Vachlioti, director
• Alexis Vassiliou, artist, Chief Executive of Rialto Theater
• Leda Galanou, film critic, co-owner of flix.gr
• Marina Siotou, actress

Head Programmer:
Yannis Sakaridis 

JURY REASONING
As 47^th Drama International Short Film Festival reaches its end, we would like to once again thank the organization of the Festival and the artistic director, Yannis Sakaridis for selecting us for the National Competition Programme jury. We also want to thank the 27 creative voices for the films they gave us the opportunity to watch.

The films contained technical mastery, great narrative skills, and modern themes that discuss crucial matters of our time, such as inclusion, gender, familial relationships, teenage concerns, loss, violence, and above all, love.

However, we would have been happier to see more documentaries included.

Finally, we wish that the problems within Greek cinema that stem this creative flow, that has featured modern Greek cinema as Greece’s main export product, be resolved as soon as possible.

AWARDS

GOLDEN DIONYSUS – BEST FILM AWARD
The award is accompanied by the following prizes: Finos Film offers a prize of 4,000 euro, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) offers a prize of 3,000 euro, and the Greek Film Centre offers a prize of 2,500 euro. The awarded film automatically gets the coveted ‘ticket’ to participating in the Oscars® selection process.

The finalists were: Dimitris Moutsiakas with the film ‘Gekas’, Alki Papastathopoulos with ‘Honeymoon’, Alexandros Skouras with ‘Halcyon Days’, and Yiorgos Fourtounis with ‘MJ’.

The awards goes to Dimitris Moutsiakas for the film Gekas.

For its masterful, penetrative and firm insight that discusses the ever-relevant issue of toxic masculinity and the vicious cycle of violence.

SILVER DIONYSUS – “TONIA MARKETAKI” BEST DIRECTION AWARD
The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euro offered by the Greek Film Centre and 1,000 euro by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), as well as by Post Production services worth 2,500 euro offered by Stefilm, original music composition for the creator’s next project offered by the company Musou, a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year free Premium Member subscription on Crew United’s platform.

The finalists were: Despina Kourti with the film ‘Numb’, Dimitris Moutsiakas with ‘Gekas’, Iris Baglanea with ‘Zange’, Alki Papastathopoulos with ‘Honeymoon’, Alexandros Skouras with ‘Halcyon Days’ and Yiorgos Fourtounis with ‘MJ’.

The awards goes to Yiorgos Fourtounis for the film MJ.

SPECIAL JURY AWARD
To Alki Papastathopoulos for the film Honeymoon

For its tender depiction of love that always wins. It may have no identity, but it always has truth.

DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The award is accompanied by a 3,500-euro prize offered by the Greek Film Centre and a 1,000-euro prize offered by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).

To Alcaeus Spyrou for the film Pave Paradise

BEST SCRIPT AWARD
The award is accompanied by a prize of 3,500 euro, offered by the Greek Film Centre.

The finalists were: Stefanos Koutsardakis with the film ‘Golden Fingers’, Dimitris Moutsiakas with ‘Gekas’, Alki Papastathopoulos with ‘Honeymoon’, Alexandros Skouras with ‘Halcyon Days’, and Yiorgos Fourtounis with ‘MJ’.

The award goes to Dimitris Moutsiakas for the film Gekas

DRAMA QUEER AWARD
To Alki Papastathopoulos for the film Honeymoon

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE AWARD
The finalists were: Mary Petrouliou for the film ‘Honeymoon’, Mariam Rouhaje for ‘Halcyon Days’, Evi Saoulidou for ‘Treadmill’, and Nasia Sydeta for ‘Honeymoon’.

The award goes to Nasia Sydeta for her performance in the film Honeymoon  by Alki Papastathopoulos.

BEST MALE PERFORMANCE AWARD
The finalists were: Nikos Yeorgakis for the film ‘Gekas’, Pavlos Iordanopoulos for ‘Halcyon Days’, Yiorgos Katsis for ‘MJ’, and Pavlos Lagos for ‘Gekas’.

The award goes to Yiorgos Katsis for his performance in the film MJ by Yiorgos Fourtounis

BEST SOUND DESIGN AWARD
To Petar Mrdjen for the film Zange by Iris Baglanea

BEST SOUND AWARD
The award goes to Alexis Koukias for the film Zange by Iris Baglanea

BEST EDITING AWARD
The award is accompanied by the prize of film and video editing software, Avid Media Composer by Avid Technology, provided by Telmaco.

To Dimitris Polyzos for the film Halcyon Days by Alexandros Skouras

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD
The award is accompanied by a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year Premium Member membership on Crew United’s platform.

To Yiorgos Karvelas for the film Gekas by Dimitris Moutsiakas

ORIGINAL MUSIC AWARD
To Marilena Orfanou for the film Pigeons are Dying, When the City is on Fire by Stavros Markoulakis

“IOULIA STAVRIDOU” COSTUME AWARD
To Marli Aliferi for the film MJ by Yiorgos Fourtounis

SET DESIGN AWARD
The award is accompanied by a Crew United Pass, and a 5-year free Premium Member membership on Crew United’s platform.

To Konstantinos Skourletis for the film MJ by Yiorgos Fourtounis

SPECIAL EFFECTS AWARD
To Kostas Dimitropoulos andFelix Augustin Greisinger for the film  Zange by Iris Baglaena

MAKE-UP AND HAIR STYLING AWARD
To Ioanna Lygizou for the film MJ by Yiorgos Fourtounis

SPECIAL MENTION
To little Sarantis Karagiannis from the film Golden Fingers by Fivos Kontogiannis

ONASSIS CULTURE AWARD
Onassis Culture, with a separate jury, offers two awards to films from the National Competition Programme. Each award is accompanied by a 5,000 euro prize for the development of the creator’s next film.

The Onassis Film Award goes to the film Numb by Despina Kourti, for a wholesome coming-of-age story that is built on simplicity, through its silence and its gazes.

The Onassis Film Award goes to the film Honeymoon by Alki Papastathopoulos, a film with prowess, honesty, and strong performances.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION PROGRAMME 2024 AWARDS

JURY

• Yorgos Mavropsoridis, film editor (President)
• Laurent Crouzeix , Executive team of the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival and Short Film Market
• Athena Xenidou, director, producer

Head Programmer:
Yorgos Zois

JURY REASONING

The International Jury wishes to thank the organization of the 47^th Drama ISFF and all the filmmakers in the International Competition for a vibrant edition.

We were given the chance to watch a carefully curated selection of strong filmmaking voices from across the world.

The films we watched all deserve recognition for their undeniable individual qualities.

As a jury we are pleased to present a list of awards that came through unanimous decision, to some particularly outstanding films that touched us in more than one way.

AWARDS

Grand Prix Drama 2024
The award is accompanied by a 4,000-euro prize, offered by the company Raycap. The film that receives this award automatically gets the coveted ‘ticket’ to participating in the Oscars® selection process.

Boucan (Clamor), Salomé Da Souza (France)

Clamor vividly captures the tumultuous, intimate journey of a young woman and her cousin, within a local community that lives by strong social, cultural codes. The film breathes with life, showing impressive, organic filmmaking and acting qualities.

EFA CANDIDACY DRAMA 2024 – European Film Academy Award Nomination for Best Short Film
The Distance Between Us, Léo Fontaine (France)

For its compelling depiction of resilience and maternal love in the face of adversity. Yalla’s urgent journey, marked by her determination and vulnerability, unfolds against a backdrop of a city, symbolizing both the isolation and hope that define her struggle, highlighting universal themes of sacrifice, longing, and the pursuit of connection.

BEST DIRECTION AWARD
What Mary Didn’t Know, Konstantina Kotzamani (Greece)

The film aboard the cruise ship Neoromantica beautifully captures the essence of teenage love amidst a whimsical Mediterranean backdrop. The director intertwines the youthful romance with Greek myths and contemporary realities, she skillfully brings together a diverse cast and creates a captivating narrative. The rich character development and emotional depth resonate deeply, making it a visual and heartfelt experience.

BEST PRODUCTION AWARD “TV5 MONDE”
If the Sun Drowned into an Ocean of Clouds, Wissam Charaf (Lebanon)

Produced by Aurora Films and Né à Beyrouth,

For its remarkable use of a single outdoor location to portray an entire dysfunctioning society, with humor, humanity, and a nice touch of fantasy.

BEST SOUTHEASTERN EUROPEAN FILM AWARD
What we ask of a statue is that it doesn’t move, Daphne Heretakis (Greece)

For its original and innovative use and blending in a joyful and creative fashion of diverse stylistic forms and genres, from documentary to  musical, to create a unique, refreshing and humane narrative that defies traditional ways of expression, at the same time capturing  the modern Greek society’s  imprisonment to the heritage of the past and the void this creates in the young generation who strives to find it’s own artistic voice and purpose.

SPECIAL MENTION
Cross my heart and hope to die, Sam Manacsa (Philippines)

Although confined in a single environment, the camera going out only once to the interior of a nearby restaurant, and limiting itself in the predicament of a young female unpaid worker, this unique film manages to open our perception and understanding, by  examining with a distinct form not only her working and emotional life, or the lack of it, but also  the broader social and economic environment, socially accepted or on the fringe, which controls ordinary people’s lives, often with dire consequences.

SPECIAL MENTION
Dreams like Paper Boats, Samuel Suffren (Haiti)

A special mention for its poignant exploration of the complexities of love and longing in a challenging environment. Through the lens of their daily struggles in Port-au-Prince, the narrative beautifully captures the emotional depth of a father’s unwavering devotion to his daughter Zara and the impact of absence on familial bonds and resonates deeply.

Independent Jury

International Competition Programme Awards:

“HUMAN VALUES” AWARD BY THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT
The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by the Hellenic Parliament.

To Workers Wings by Ilir Hasanj from Kosovo*

* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF FILM CRITICS (FIPRESCI) AWARD
To Clamor, Salomé Da Souza, 25’, France, 2023

SHORT AND GREEN AWARDS 2024

JURY

• Neritan Zinxhiria, film maker (President)
• Ilianna Zakopoulou, Promotion & International Cultural Events (Hellas Film)
• Antoine Chapon, artist, filmmaker

Head Programmer:
Vasilis Terzopoulos 

AWARDS

DRAMA GREEN AWARD
The award is accompanied by a 4,000-euro prize, offered by CYCLOPS AMKE

On the 8th Day, Agathe Sénéchal, Alicia Massez, Elise Debruyne, Flavie Carin, Théo Duhautois (France)

For the perfect execution of all its artistic means Drama Green Award goes to a poetic work that combines solid artistic view with a creative form, offering a chance to meditate in a unique way on a difficult subject.

SPECIAL JURY AWARD
Wavering, Fanny Chesnel (France)

The award goes to a film that, along with the river, weaves scenes and floats from one story to another in a humorous approach of the complicated issues that it addresses.

SPECIAL MENTION
I would rather be a stone, Ana Husman (Croatia)

Special Mention goes to a film that questions the relationship between human stories, time and landscape, by putting together poetic images and an imposing voice over, managing to communicate the temporality of our existence on the land we think we own.

KIDDO AWARDS 2024

JURY

The jury for the KIDDO International Programme 2024 consists of pupils (aged 10-15): Isaak Iordanidis, Ilektra Theochari, Stavros Paraskevaidis, and Konstantions Dimitriadis

Head Programmer:
Elena Mavridou 

AWARDS

BEST KIDDO FILM
Accompanied by a 1,500 euro prize*

Tremolo, Leonard Mink (Germany)

For the sensitivity with which it depicts the relationship between a deaf boy and his father, a musician. Its sensitive script, its strong plot, the alternation of loud noises to absolutely silent scenes immersed us into the protagonist’s world and made us think that music can express even that which can not be said with words.

DREAMERS KIDDO
To the best film created by an adult director for children, accompanied by a prize of 1,500 euro*

MAO LUCKY, Luis Carlos Caballero Arguelles (Panama)

For its excellent animation, its incredible rhythm, its humour, and its brilliant script. A ceramic cat made us believe that we can overcome any adversity, even if it seems impossible.

*The awards are given in honour of Elvira and Emil Kakki, theatre owners and supporters of the arts in Drama during the period 1920-1941.

PITCHING LAB AWARDS 2024

ERT- BEST GREEK PROJECT AWARD
Blühen, Kostis Haramountanis (Greece)

FINOS FILM AWARD
The award is accompanied by a 2,000-euro prize offered by FINOS FILM.

TAXIthaca, Karina Logothetis (Greece)

BEST PITCHING FOR DEVELOPMENT AWARD -GREEK CINEMA CENTER
The award is accompanied by a 2,000-euro prize

Meadow Mice, Ilayda Iseri (Turkey)

FILM SOCIETIES AWARDS 2023

GREEK SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS (G.S.C.) – MERIT AWARD
The award is accompanied by a Canon camera prize, valued at 4,600 euro, provided by Canon Europe

Concrete Rodents, Apostolis Gkanatsios

Photography Director: Manos Daskalakis

The film participated in the Student National Competition Programme

GREEK FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION AWARD
Non-essential Movement, Nikoleta Leousi

For its innovative, cinematic, and timeless connection of politics, society, and cinema itself, with the existence of the most characteristic means of transport, the bus. Greek Film Critics Association has decided to honour the director with the Best Greek Short Film award instead of… writing her a ticket.

The film participated in the National Competition Programme

FEDERATION OF CINEMATIC CLUBS OF GREECE (OKLE) AWARD
Non-essential Movement, Nikoleta Leousi

The film participated in the National Competition Programme

AUDIENCE AWARD
Treadmill, Yiorgos Kimisis

The film participated in the National Competition Programme

NATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS

Jury:
Aris Katopodis (President), Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Greek Film Festival
Stylianos Zerefos, Professor at the School of Applied Arts and Sustainable Design of the Hellenic Open University
Vania Turner, Director, documentary filmmaker

Head Programmer:
Panagiotis Iosifelis

“Frieda Liappa” Best Greek Student Film Award

The award is accompanied by a 5,000-euro prize. The award is also accompanied by provisions for laboratory and post-production activities, offered by the company Stefilm for the director’s next film.

pop, by Lina Kountoura

The award goes to a film which offers an unexpectedly fresh directorial perspective and captures the imagination by taking us on a journey into the new world it has created.

Best Direction Award

The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro prize, offered by AMKE Bodouroglou.

Driving me crazy, by Meni Tsilianidou

For its honesty, simplicity, acuity, and humour.

Documentary Award

The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro prize, offered by AMKE Bodouroglou.

Stelianna, by Yannis Bletas

For the creator’s sensitivity and courage, which were necessary to approach such a difficult subject and to win the trust of both the family and the main character.

Best Script Award

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize, offered by the ANT1 Screenwriting Academy.

Earthbound, by Vangelis Dikopoulos

script: Vangelis Dikopoulos

Through the film’s hyper-realistic mosaic of stories, the hilarious everyday life of Greek people is brought face to face with an extraterrestrial reality.

Student Drama Queer Award

Alles Gut, Pavlos Paraskevopoulos

For the creator’s honest, direct, and daring decision to confront us with the stereotypes of Greek society.

Best Male Performance Award

Driving me crazy, Meni Tsilianidou

awarded to Dimitris Naziris

The film’s two performances masterfully uncover an array of emotions and revelations, while fully supporting the film’s script and the creator’s cinematic vision.

Best Female Performance Award

Driving me crazy, Meni Tsilianidou

awarded to Iro Tsamoglou

The film’s two performances masterfully uncover an array of emotions and revelations, while fully supporting the film’s script and the creator’s cinematic vision.

“Dinos Katsouridis” Photography Award

The award is accompanied by full technical coverage for the production of the photographer’s next film, courtesy of the Katsouridis family.

The gardener’s death, by Christina Spiliopoulou

photography direction: Thanos Athanasiou

In this film, photography is the main character. The shots are combined with various shades of ochre, red, and brown, composing a palette of emotions, which transport the viewer inside the film’s narrative.

Editing Award

The company Telmaco offers its award-winning film and video editing software Avid Media Composer, provided by Avid Technology.

The River Runs Through the Village, by Xenophon Nikolakopoulos

editing: Yorgos Pavloudis

In this film, the use of editing works as a parallel for memory loss, and the mixing up of times, places, and emotions.

Set Design Award

pop, by Lina Kountoura

set design: Katerina Perdikouri-Papadopoulou, Panos Sellas, Stella Deliantoni

Through its imagination, innocence, and playful character, this film transports us to its thrilling cinematic universe, where an impressive result is achieved with the use of colour, movement, and architecture.

Best Sound Design Award

Dracaena, by Sofia Priovolou and Ioannis Panagiotidis

Sound design: Kostas Fylaktidis

From the very first still, the sound design shapes the film’s identity and qualities, while directly conversing with the script.

Special Mention

Acheron, by Konstantina Papadopoulou

The jury gives the special mention award to a film that moved us and brought us face to face with loss, through a masterful cinematic experience.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT COMPETITION PROGRAMME AWARDS 2024

Jury:
Νiels Putman, film programmer, chief editor of Talking Shorts
Celine Roustan, film programmer
Vicky Papadopoulou, actress

Head programmer:
Thanasis Neofotistos

GRAND PRIX STUDENT “Almost Famous” Award

The award is accompanied by a 1,500-euro prize offered by the Metropolitan College

No Future Kids, by Eleni Poulopoulou

From its immersive and impressively captivating cinematography, its sensitive yet vibrant direction and its fiery performances, this film truly embarked us, along with its protagonists, on a road trip with its infectious energy. Pardon the lack of eloquence, but this film is a vibe!

Special Jury Award “Rising Star”

Falling, by Anna Gyimesi

This year’s Jury Award “Rising Star” goes to a film that, through a simple cinematic approach, managed to move us deeply by illustrating the vibrations caused by the conflict between two roles: that of a mother suffering and that of a woman longing to live.

Queer Student Award “Loud & Proud”

Slimane, by Carlos Pereira

Through a puzzling narrative structure, this excellent piece of slow, minimalist cinema paints a bleak world where queer resistance lies in bodily movements. Against the social stagnation ignited by the threat to LGTBQIA+ rights, this film cleverly deconstructs our perceptions of time and space and ultimately delivers what one could call “cinematic queerness”.

Special Mention

Leli‘s Friend, by Sawanti Das

Through its delicate’s use of animation, this film conveyed the emotional depth of the unconventional bond between a boy with cerebral palsy and his aging grandmother.

Distribution Award

The Distribution Award is sponsored by Radiator IP Sales and is presented to a Greek film of the programme. The award offers representation for the development of a comprehensive commercial strategy targeting buyers abroad (TV stations and platforms).

No Future Kids, by Eleni Poulopoulou

INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION PROGRAMME 2024 AWARDS

Jury:
Dr Lamprini Trivella, PhD researcher, University of West Attica
Vasilis Galopoulos, audio engineer
Marineta Kritikou, Agora Coordinator at Animasyros Festival

Head Programmer:
Spyros Siakas

Best Animation Film ASIFA HELLAS YANNIS VASILEIADIS

The award includes a one-year free membership at ASIFA HELLAS, with the full privileges of a registered member (information, visibility, participation in extroversion animation missions at international forums and festivals, etc).

In the Shadow of the Cypress, by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani

For its groundbreaking narrative, its excellent sound and image, its animation aesthetic, and the delicacy with which it approaches the human psyche.

Special Jury Award

Underground, Yiannis Christoforou

For its innovative approach to storytelling through the use of stop motion animation, a challenging technique which was successfully mastered in both sound and image