Sophie Hyde The situation is exceptional but familiar. This year's winning movie is both suprising and touching. It is a movie about family and the quest for identity, and despite all the conflicts, the protagonists stay connected through their love to each other. The moving story is presented in a fascinating structure and convinces with strong characters, humour, clever ideas and sensitivity.
Petros Silvestros We've decided on a short movie that illustrates an intricate topic in only a few minutes. The movie creates a frame which spectators then can fill with their own imagination, leaving space for their own interpretation. With subtle imagery, this film tells a story that takes an unexpected turn.
Avinash Arun This film convinced us in all respects: with his good camera work and the great actors, but also because of its incredibly beautiful nature images which blend perfectly with the music. This film made us all want to discover India.
Yoon Ga-eun A child embarks on an adventure through its own city, to prove that it is no longer too young. Through everyday and yet strange encounters, the girl collects on the road a lot of experience. The story, and how it was told, touched us deeply.
Winner
All nominees
VasaVasa
Jānis Cimmermanis
FreedomRangzen
Gaurav Saxena
ElevenEleven
Abigail Greenwood
Earth's ChildrenHijos de la tierra
Diego E. Sarmiento Pagan
The Dam KeeperThe Dam Keeper
Daisuke 'Dice' Tsutsumi, Robert Kondo
Dwarf GiantNain géant
Fabienne Giezendanner
I Don't Say Goodbye, I Say See You SoonEu não Digo Adeus, Digo Até Logo
Gabriel Velázquez This film dared to do it differently. In a unique manner this film interwoves sentences, rhythm, audio and content, creating an overall picture. Supported by strong images it developed its very own film language and impressed us with that.
Neil Triffett This year's special mention goes to a movie that takes a look at group identity and peer pressure, with a surprising and pleasant lightness of touch. It convinced us with its firework of funny dialogues, melodies and humour, making fun of itself while never becoming ridiculous.
Masakazu Sugita Out of so many wonderful movies, this film in particular touched us and carried us away. Due to the fantastic actors, especially the terrific young protagonists, we could empathize with their experiences and were even moved to tears. Down to the smallest details, in this story everything fits together.
Project: "274" -What is exciting about Sebastian Mez's story is its intensity. In this film only the moment counts and Mez knows how to describe it in a very gripping manner. For great loneliness and a deep look into a man's soul, he immerses himself in a strange world and, already in his treatment, finds powerful cinematic images for doing so. A genuine perspective for German cinema.
Winner
Sandra Kaudelka
Project: "Intershop" -With Intershop, director Sandra Kaudelka has chosen for her film a world that will instantly awaken memories and arouse the curiosity of everyone who grew up in the days of East Germany. A place to fulfil both dreams and desires, an interface between East and West - Intershop is a potentially compelling, emotional tale, unlike any ever seen in German cinemas. We hope this prize will allow Sandra Kaudelka to continue her work on this project and so to exhaust the possibilities of her subject matter.
Cao Baoping As the family welcomes a new highly priced son the complexities of a teenage girl's emotional world is examined in a very subversive way. This family drama slowly reveals the layers of gender relationships in modern day China.
Kristoffer Kiørboe With precision in direction and because of the stunning performance this film shows us in a very tender way the conflicts of being caught between divorced parents. The special mention goes to: Søn.
Avinash Arun A beautifully photographed story about the challenges of being a boy. This film had wonderful pace and rhythm. Never reverting to clichés, the fresh performances left us feeling we were right there with the characters.
Bas Devos For its abstract exploration of emotions following a tragic death and because of its exquisite sculpture of cinematography, sound and story the Jury presents the Grand Prix for the best feature film to Violet by Bas Devos.
Matías Lucchesi This film shows us a pure, distilled and unsentimental journey towards identity. It is a captivating tale with wonderful acting and a clear vision. Strong in its simplicity, the film touched our hearts.
Leonid Shmelkov A whimsical understanding of the human condition told with a deft hand, and a unique sense of humour. Achieved with great craft skills and heart.
Denmark. Jury's comment: "Danica's effortless charm lights up the screen in hit-and-run drama 'On the Edge.' In a film that initially seems to occupy a very male-dominated world, she quietly emerges as the story's beating heart and moral compass."
Winner
Cosmina Stratan
Romania. Jury's comment: "Cosmina rules with her emotions. In 'Beyond the Hills,' she demonstrates incredible precision in her acting, with an expertly modulated performance that keeps emotion reined in but radiates a powerful feeling."
Winner
Miriam Karlkvist
Italy. Jury's comment: "Miriam makes a striking debut in 'South Is Nothing.' We were impressed by vividly original work: a significant leading role that remains committed to the complexity of the character. By the film's climax, Miriam's talent is revealed in further depth, giving us an enticing glimpse of her future potential."
Winner
Maryam Karimi
The Netherlands. Jury's comment: "In 'Wolf,' Marwan has a very strong, masculine, magnetic screen presence, playing a naturally gifted kick-boxer whose choices send him on a criminal path. He earns our empathy while never wavering from embracing the character's flaws, delivering a highly convincing performance that carried us on a journey."
Winner
Nikola Rakocevic
Serbia. Jury's comment: "The youngest of five lead actors in ensemble piece 'Circles,' Nikola registers strongly with an exceptionally vivid performance. While showcasing consistent energy and charisma, Nikola's additional screen credits reveal an impressive range of acting registers - indicating a versatile stealth weapon with great casting potential."
Winner
Mateusz Kosciukiewicz
Poland. Jury's comment: "Mateusz has an intense screen presence. In contemporary Polish drama 'In the Name Of,' he ingeniously conveys a character that journeys from enigmatic misfit to wildly unpredictable ticking bomb, enlivening his performance with a goofy energy, and finally a beguiling tenderness. At all times, we were carried along with conviction."
Winner
Edda Magnason
Sweden. Jury's comment: "In 'Waltz for Monica,' Edda offers an exciting debut performance, carrying the film and our attention in every scene. She convinced us of her talent while playing a treasured Swedish icon, showcasing her fine singing voice. Thanks to Edda's sparkling presence, audiences outside Sweden are introduced to the complex personality and star quality of jazz singer Monica Zetterlund."
Winner
George MacKay
United Kingdom. Jury's comment: "George wowed us with his commanding performance in 'For Those in Peril,' evoking a descent into an increasingly fractured mental state with brilliantly controlled subtlety. And the range of this young actor's work is remarkable: in the past year alone he impressed as a singing soldier returned home in musical 'Sunshine On Leith'; as the romantic male lead of dystopian teen drama 'How I Live Now'; and the emotionally raw protagonist of 'For Those in Peril.' "
Winner
Jakob Oftebro
Norway. Jury's comment: "Jakob is an exceptionally charismatic young actor. He is delightful as the romantic male lead in Knut Hamsun adaptation 'Victoria,' while demonstrating admirable breadth in the other work we viewed. We are confident that Jakob has an exceptional career ahead of him."
Winner
Maria-Victoria Dragus
Germany. Jury's comment: "Maria's personality infuses her work with a quiet strength that demands our attention. Not yet 20, she brings interior depths that suggest an actor of great maturity and accomplishment. We were captivated by her intriguing screen presence."