The winners of the 23rd edition of Euganea Film Festival

The awards and motivations of of the 23rd edition of Euganea Film Festival

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE-FILM COMPETITION

Jury: Raffaella Pontarelli, Ronny Trocker, Igor Stanojević

Best Feature-Film

THE GREAT YAWN OF HISTORY

by Aliyar Rasti (2024, Iran)

Our Best Film stands out as a profound exploration of faith and beliefs. This filmoffers an intimate approach to its characters, reflecting on their personal journeys while simultaneously serving as a political commentary on those who are being left behind in Iranian society. Its sober and calm cinematic style strips the narrative down to its essence, creating a quiet, reflective space that invites the audience to engage deeply with the characters’ internal struggles. For its rich metaphorical layers, its reflection on the human condition, and its poignant political undertones, we are proud to award The Great Yawn of History by Aliyar Rasti the Best Film Price.

Jury Prize

FAUNA

by Pau Faus (2023, Spain)

Fauna captivated us with visually stunning imagery, meticulously woven together to explore the complex tension between technological development and rural life. The film skillfully intertwines these two worlds, highlighting their interactions and mutual interference. Rather than offering definitive answers, the director invites us to reflect on critical questions about the morality of technological progress and how far we can push its boundaries without endangering the natural environment. With subtle humor, the film addresses deeply relevant issues, managing to raise thought-provoking and pertinent questions.

***

INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM COMPETITION

Jury: Eugenia Gaglianone, Margherita Giusti, Martina Melilli

Best Short Film

MY NAME IS EDGAR AND I HAVE A COW

by Filip Diviak (2023, Czech Republic, Slovakia)

The film traces, in a light, poetic and effective manner, a path of transformation that crosses several important themes: from the human relationship with the animal to individual responsibility in the world. A reflection that speaks to all ages, mixing with sweetness and irony the question of love and respect, one of the most political acts in existence.

Jury Prize

SIRENS

by Ilaria Di Carlo (2022, Germany)

The director uses aerial filming to write a visual poem, working carefully and subtly with sound and music as a narrative driver. She gradually immerses the viewer in the brutality of the man-made landscapes in a pictorial and poetic manner, gradually revealing the inexorable trauma, scarring, of human intervention in nature.

***

SPECIAL AWARDS

Audience Award

No Other Land

by Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor (2024, Palestine, Norway)

Kids Award

BOOM

by Gabriel Augerai, Romain Augier, Laurie Pereira De Figueiredo, Charles Di Cicco, Yannick Jacqui (2022, France)

Premio Crédit Agricole – Parco Colli Euganei

TELMO PIEVANI

The Crédit Agricole – Parco Colli Euganei Award is given to Telmo Pievani for his extraordinary contribution to the dissemination of scientific thought and the promotion of environmental awareness. A philosopher of science and expert in the theory of evolution, Pievani has been able to combine profound scientific knowledge with a unique communication ability, making complex issues such as biodiversity, climate change and the evolution of life on the planet accessible to a wide audience. His reflections, ranging from evolutionary biology to sustainability, invite critical reflection on the relationship between man and nature, stimulating an essential debate to address the environmental challenges of our time.