Festivals
The film festival at the Lago Maggiore in Switzerland, since 2013 headed by artistic director Carlo Chatrian, cherishes especially aesthetic innovations. Consequently, the Golden Leopard went to "From What Is Before" by Lav Diaz from the Philippines. The Ecumenical Jury awarded "The Fool" by Russian director Yuri Bykov.
The Ecumenical Jury 2014 awarded two films, both from Caucasian countries. The Ecumenical Prize went to THE ABODE by Lusine Sargsyan from Armenia, and a Commendation to BLIND DATES by Levan Koguashvili from Georgia, which also won the Silver Apricot by the International Jury.
The Ecumenical Jury awarded with its Prize "Corn Island", which also won the "Crystal Globe", the Grand Prix of the festival. In addition, the Ecumenical Jury awarded a Commendation to "Rocks In My Pockets" which also won the Prize of the FIPRESCI jury.
The Ecumenical Jury at the 67th Festival de Cannes (May 14-25, 2014), appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, has awarded its Prize to TIMBUKTU by Abderrahmane Sissako, France/Mauretania, 2014. In addition, the Jury awards two Commendations to THE SALT OF EARTH by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, France 2014, and to HERMOSA JUVENTUD by Jaime Rosales, Spain/France 2014, both in the programme of Un Certain Regard. The winner of the Palm d'Or is the Turkish competition entry WINTER SLEEP by Nuri Bilge Ceylan.
This year, Oberhausen celebrated ist 60th anniversary. On this occasion, the Ecumenical Jury, on behalf of INTERFILM and SIGNIS, appreciated Festival director Lars Henrik Gass by an Honorary Award.
The festival was founded in 1969 by Moritz de Hadeln and his wife Erika and is dedicated to documentaries. Their successors Jean Perret and Gabriele Bussmann in 1995 renamed it "Visions du réel" to indicate the manyfold approach of documentaries to reality. Festival director since 2011 is Luciano Barisone.
The Berlinale 2013 has finished, the juries have chosen their winners. The Ecumenical Jury awarded "Gloria" by Sebastián Lelio, the Chilenian competition entry. The International Jury awarded the Golden Bear to "Poziţia Copilului" (Child's Pose) by Călin Peter Netzer, Romania.