24th THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL // 10-20/3/2022
The awards of the 24th TDF
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AWARDS
The International Competition section includes 12 films with a duration of over 70 minutes. The recipient of the Golden Alexander secures its spot in the pre-selection shortlist for the Best Documentary Academy Award.
The International Competition Jury of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival is composed of:
Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, director & Associate Professor at the Film School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Alexandre O. Philippe, director
Laila Pakalnina, director & screenwriter
The Golden Alexander Award, accompanied by a 12,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the documentary:
A House Made of Splinters by Simon Lereng Wilmont
(Denmark-Finland-Sweden-Ukraine)
The Special Jury Award, accompanied by a 5,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the documentary:
Young Plato by Declan McGrath & Neasa Ní Chianáin
(United Kingdom-Ireland-France-Belgium)
Reasoning:
“There are two films that stood out for us. Two profoundly moving and intricate films that, in many ways, struck us as companion pieces, and that deserve to be seen together. The Special Jury Award goes to a film that can only give us hope in future generations and their capacity to make the world a better place. The award goes to Young Plato. The Golden Alexander Award goes to an unforgettable film that shines a light on the burden carried by children for the horrors and mistakes perpetrated by the world of the adults who should be caring for them. The Golden Alexander Award goes to A House Made of Splinters”.
NEWCOMERS COMPETITION AWARDS
Young and upcoming directors, through their debut or sophomore film, try to depict reality in their own unique way. The members of this year’s jury are:
Angeliki Aristomenopoulou, director
Michael Graversen, documentary director & author
Laurien ten Houten, Industry Relations-Talks Manager at the International Documentary Festival of Amsterdam
The Golden Alexander “Dimitri Eipides” Award, accompanied by a 10,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the documentary:
Golden Land by Inka Achté
(Finland-Sweden-Norway)
Reasoning:
“Inka Achté’s film Golden Land tells a beautiful and moving family story of belonging in a way which changes the narrative of migration. The film follows a loving father and his kids who travel back to Somaliland from Europe. Through coherent storytelling and beautiful cinematography, it shows –in a non-didactic manner– a family’s struggles and dreams. A family which tries to build a better future in, and for their ancestral land”.
The Special Jury Prize, accompanied by a 4,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the documentary:
The Devil’s Drivers by Daniel Carsenty & Mohammed Abugeth
(Qatar-France-Lebanon-Germany)
Reasoning:
“An important film with significant access to the world of the “devil’s drivers”. A film sheds light on matters of great urgency and gives a voice to an oppressed and marginalized group of people whose story had been left largely untold”.
>>FILM FORWARD COMPETITION AWARDS
>>Film Forward Competition section showcases the world of young and daring directors who challenge the genre conventions, expanding the boundaries of film language. The members of this year’s Jury are:
Toby Lee, artist, anthropologist and Associate Professor at Tisch School of Arts
Babis Makridis, director
Marta Popivoda, director & video artist
The Golden Alexander >>Film Forward Award, accompanied by a 6,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the documentary:
The Bride by Samira Guadagnuolo & Tiziano Doria (Italy)
The Special Jury Prize, accompanied by a 3,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed ex æquo to the documentaries:
Amateur by Martín Gutiérrez (Spain)
&
Letter to Nikola by Hara Kaminara (Greece-Belgium)
Reasoning:
“The main Golden Alexander award in the >>Film Forward competition goes to a film that, with minimal yet powerful and precise cinematic means, tells an important story of how patriarchal societies repress women. The award unanimously goes to the striking film where silence speaks louder than voice: The Bride! For Letter to Nikola, we give the award for its striking visual language and the filmmaker’s moving treatment of motherhood in turbulent times. For Amateur we give the award for its charming, and tender amateur look that unites three different stories in one landscape”.
PODCAST AWARD AND SCHOLARSHIP
Thessaloniki Documentary Festival was the first film festival in Europe to host a Podcast Competition section, exploring the affinities of this new genre with cinema.
This year’s jury members are:
Eliana Abravanel, filmmaker & visual artist
Leonidas Antonopoulos, journalist & director of Kosmos 93.6 radio station
Matoula Kousteni, radio producer & journalist
The Podcast Award, accompanied by a 2,000-euro cash prize, is bestowed to the podcast:
Forever by Dimitris Daskas (Greece)
Reasoning:
“A heart-wrenching topic, a human-centered narration and a highly interesting culmination. It could have been an outstanding novella; it could have been a brilliant documentary film. It was in fact a post-mortem audio diary of a relationship, a profound farewell, an eloquent testimony of loss”.
A Special Mention is bestowed to the podcast:
Invisible by Marianna Kakaounaki (Greece)
Reasoning:
“We bestow a Special Mention to Marianna Kakaounaki for Invisible, a journalistic document, a remarkable piece of research journalism tinted with political thriller hues”.
This year, Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, in collaboration with the Louis Lumière School and the French Institute of Greece, offers the scholarship award ENS Louis Lumière Award – French Institute of Upcoming Audio Documentary Creator.
The jury members are:
Frédérique Pressmann, documentary filmmaker & sound artist
Théo Koutsaftis, audiovisual attaché at the French Institute of Greece
The award-scholarship is bestowed to:
Νepheli Sani for the podcast Sonic Memorabilia
Reasoning:
“The interest for sound and for people and the sensitivity that you demonstrated made us want to work with you”.
MERMAID AWARD
The Mermaid Award is presented by the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival to the best LGBTQI+-themed film from the Festival’s official selection. The prize is awarded by a three-member jury. The members of this year’s jury are:
Angel Cheng, Communications and Industry Engagement Director for NBO Film Festival in Kenya & producer
Hrönn Marinósdóttir, founder and director of the Reykjavík International Film Festival
George Mitropoulos, journalist
The Mermaid Award is bestowed to the documentary:
Gabi: Between Ages 8 and 13 (Sweden-Norway)
Reasoning:
“A beautifully subtle expression of the need for acceptance of oneself as a whole human being, this film is a playful exploration of the struggles of growth, love and identity. The freedom in defying conventional binary norms is adeptly presented, and the importance of agency for self-determination is uniquely expressed in the form of a perfectly imperfect child and her family and friends. For its inspiringly joyful portrayal of gender fluidity and the powerful example it sets for families of non-cisgender children, we present the Mermaid Award of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival to Gabi, Between Ages 8 to 13 by Engeli Broberg”.
Special Mentions are bestowed to the documentaries:
Mel by Inna Sahakyan & Paul Cohen (Armenia-The Netherlands)
&
Sirens by Rita Baghdadi (USA-Lebanon)
Reasoning:
“The Jury would also like to acknowledge the remarkable and underrepresented perspectives of two particular films that challenge perceptions of gender and sexuality. We give Special Mentions to Mel by Inna Sahakyan and Paul Cohen and Sirens by Rita Baghdadi as uniquely illuminating stories of defiance and triumph to redefine our place in society”.
“HUMAN VALUES” AWARD OF THE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT
The television station of the Hellenic Parliament (Hellenic Parliament TV) presents its “Human Values” award to a Newcomers International Competition section film. The members of this year’s committee are:
Aris Fatouros, Program Consultant & producer and director
Vassilis Douvlis, head of the Hellenic Parliament TV’s Programming Department and awarded director of feature and documentary films
Kostas Dimos, program collaborator at the Hellenic Parliament TV
The “Human Values” Award of the Hellenic Parliament is bestowed to the documentary:
Eternal Spring by Jason Loftus (Canada)
Reasoning:
“The “Human Values” Award of the Hellenic Parliament is bestowed to a Newcomers Competition film that skillfully binds together personal testimonies and 3D animation to unfold a breathtaking story of a struggle for freedom of ideas and expression against an authoritarian regime that violently smothers any attempt of resistance”.
HELLENIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION AWARDS
Within the framework of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation will award two prizes: ERT’s first award, which is accompanied by a €3,000 cash prize, is bestowed to the Greek production that wins the FIPRESCI award.
The award is bestowed to the documentary:
Arm Wrestler by Yorgos Goussis (Greece)
The second ERT award, which is accompanied by a €2,000 cash prize, is bestowed to the best Greek project participating at the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum, selected by the Forum committee.
The award is bestowed to the project:
Sunken
Director: Dimitris Gkotsis, Producers: Mina Dreki - Marni Films (Greece)
GREEK FILM CENTRE AWARDS
The Greek Film Centre is bestowing two awards. The first award goes to a debut director of the official Greek selection, whose film is celebrating its premier at the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. The award is accompanied by a 3,000-euro cash prize.
The GFC Jury members are:
Ifigenia Vlachogianni, GFC Board of Directors member
Stavroula Geronimaki, Deputy Director of the GFC International Audiovisual Production section - Hellenic Film Commission
Dimitris Bouras, head of the GFC Press Office
The award is bestowed to the documentary:
The Itinerary by Orestis Athanasopoulos (Greece)
Reasoning:
“The director uses the narrative format of the road movie as a connective chain between a series of small and fragmental stories in order to highlight the timely issue of Greeks’ immigration to Western Europe”.
The Greek Film Centre also awards a film from Agora’s Docs in Progress:
Reasoning:
“This film highlights an important subject matter that has stirred social and political change in contemporary Greece. Change that we would like to see spread and create accountability”. The jury bestows the Greek Film Centre award of 3,000 euros in cash to:
The award is bestowed to the project:
#METISOFIA
Director: Vania Turner, Producers: Onassis Culture, Maria Sidiropoulou (Research, Journalistic Supervision, Creative Producer), Amanda Livanou (Associate Producer for Onassis Culture), Greece
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AWARD
This year’s Jury is composed of:
Alexia Tsouni, Vice-president of Amnesty International’s Greek department
Marianna Leontaridou, member of Amnesty International Greece
Yannis Angelakis, producer
Maria Stefanidou, actress and movement specialist
Nikos Ziogas, director and filmmaker
The International Amnesty Award is bestowed to the documentary:
F@ck this Job by Vera Krichevskaya (United Kingdom-Germany)
Reasoning:
“The documentary kicks off with Jim Morrison’s poignant quote “whoever controls the media, controls the mind”, recording the brave attempt of a young woman to bring forth, through her independent TV channel she has founded, the growing repression against the freedom of press and the blatant violation of human rights in Putin’s Russia, up until 2021 when it was banned on Kremlin's order. Politically charged yet human-centered, this revelational documentary is also a homage to all people who stand up and fight for a better world, a world with human rights and freedom, willing to risk even their life for this cause”.
FIPRESCI AWARDS
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) bestows two awards: one to the Best ----Documentary of the International Competition for Best Feature Length Documentary Program and one to a Greek film that participates in the International Program. The members of this year’s Jury are:
Zane Balčus (Latvia)
Héctor Llanos (Spain)
Nikos Aletras (Greece)
The FIPRESCI Award to the Best Documentary of the International Competition is bestowed to:
A House Made of Splinters by Simon Lereng Wilmont (Denmark-Finland-Sweden-Ukraine)
Reasoning:
“For a delicate and sensitive look at vulnerable children who are facing the hardships of life already from a very young age. Even though set in a particular political context, the story has a universal meaning. The close observation of children’s personalities and relationships with their peers and grown-ups create an emotionally engaging and strong narrative, full of life and hope for a better future. The FIPRESCI Award for the film in the International Competition goes to A House Made of Splinters by Simon Lereng Wilmont”.
The FIPRESCI Award to a Greek film that participates in the International Program:
Arm Wrestler by Yorgos Goussis (Greece)
Reasoning:
“For the captivating observation of a young man’s struggle for balance in his professional and personal life, rural and urban environment, dreams and realities of everyday life. The inventive composition of shots and versatility of shooting locations allow for a unified look at a charismatic personality. Through this one man’s journey we are also allowed to have a glimpse into contemporary Greek society, making the film an important denominator of the country today. The FIPRESCI Award for Best Greek Documentary goes to Arm Wrestler by Yorgos Goussis”.
GREEK ASSOCIATION OF FILM CRITICS AWARD
The Greek Association of Film Critics (PEKK) awards, as every year, the Best Greek Film that is screened in the official selection of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival. The decision is made by the General Assembly of the members that have attended the Festival.
The PEKK Award is bestowed to the documentary:
Last Voyage by Aris Chatzistefanou (Greece)
Reasoning:
“The Greek Association of Film Critics bestows its award to a documentary that renews Kazantzakis’ legacy through the use of the voice of Yannis Angelakas and a directorial flexibility that transfers traditional Japan to its capitalist version of today”.
WIFT GR AWARD
The WIFT GR Award is presented by the Greek Chapter of WIFT (Women in Film & Television) to a woman filmmaker of a film selected for the official program of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.
The members of this year’s Jury are:
Rea Walldén, filmmaker & film theorist
Effie Skrobola, creative producer
Manina Zoumboulaki, writer & screenwriter
The WIFT GR Award is bestowed to director Uli Decker for the documentary:
ANIMA - My Father’s Dresses (Germany)
Reasoning:
“For the exceeding of gender conventions and stereotypes, for a complex film quest that transforms the traumatic secret into an act of resistance and liberation”.
WWF HELLAS AWARD
The WWF Greece Award is bestowed to the best environment-themed movie of the Festival.
The members of the Jury are:
Iasonas Kantas, head of Communication & Citizen Engagement
Kostas Gakis, stage director
Alexandros Romanos Lizardos, film critic & filmmaker
The award is bestowed to the documentary:
The Velvet Queen by Marie Amiguet & Vincent Munier (France)
Reasoning:
“Through visually captivating storytelling, The Velvet Queen takes us to a journey through not just an ecosystem but a redefined relationship between humanity and nature. Through the eyes of the protagonist, nature becomes the leader in this game. Such a precious and rare gift, just like the Snow Leopard which continuously “observes us” and yet she will be the one to decide whether she’ll allow us to observe her. It is a documentary which, above all, is inviting us to rethink our connection to Nature. It makes us ponder on whether our senses withered and finally become touched by the magnificence we are surrounded by. This is The Velvet Queen, and it is the jury’s choice for the WWF Hellas Award”.
A Special Mention is bestowed to the documentary:
Nuisance Bear by Jack Weisman & Gabriela Osio Vanden (Canada)
Reasoning:
“A special mention goes to the film Nuisance Bear whose images tell an ambiguous tale that quite methodically highlights humankind’s responsibility for pushing wild animals away from their natural habitat. Both films make us contemporary humans face –through image, sound and silence– our responsibility for the invasive and demeaning attitude towards the planet’s other creatures and their place on the land we share”.
YOUTH JURY AWARDS
Youth Jury Supervisor: Betty Kaklamanidou, Assistant Professor of Film History and Theory at the School of Film Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The members of this year’s five-member committee are: Alexandra Apostolidou, Avraam Athanasiadis, Olga Melissanidou, Dimitris Tsintsilidas, Ekaterini Vergou.
Τhe Best Greek Film Award is bestowed to the documentary:
Arm Wrestler by Yorgos Goussis (Greece)
Reasoning:
“Because it showcases, in an intelligent and cinematic way, and with a surprising sincerity, the problems and the concerns faced by the younger generation in Greece”.
The Special Jury Prize is bestowed to the documentary:
The Other Half by Giorgos Moutafis (Greece)
Reasoning:
“For the generosity of the filmmaker and the blunt depiction of a timely and longstanding reality, that we tend to exclude from the public discourse”.
FISCHER AUDIENCE AWARDS
Five Audience Awards are bestowed to three Greek and two international films.
The Fischer Audience Award “Peter Wintonick” to an international with a duration of over 50 minutes is bestowed to the documentary:
Eternal Spring by Jason Loftus (Canada)
The Fischer Audience Award to an international film with a duration of up to 50 minutes is bestowed to the documentary:
Take Me Where There Is Life: A Letter to My Father by Carmen La Griega (Spain)
The Fischer Audience Award to Greek film with a duration of over 50 minutes is bestowed to the documentary:
Broken Sound by Fivos Kontogiannis (Greece)
The Fischer Audience Award to a Greek film with a duration of up to 50 minutes is bestowed to the documentary:
Iodine – Greece on the Ruins of Missolonghi by Orfeas Peretzis (Greece)
The Fischer Audience Award to a Greek film screened online at the section Platform and From screen to Screen is bestowed to the documentary:
+1 by Argyris Liapis (Greece)
AGORA LAB AWARD
The Agora Lab tutors, who bestow the Guidance Award by Paradiddle Pictures (Denmark) to a Greek project taking part at the Agora Lab, are:
Selin Murat, Markets Manager, IDFA-The Netherlands
Eleni Chandrinou, producer-Greece
Christina Pelekani, sales agent, Endorphin Films-Greece
Yannis Sakaridis, director, editor, Artistic Director of the Drama International Short Film Festival-Greece
The Agora Lab Award is bestowed to the project:
Panellinion
Director: Spyros Mantzavinos, Kostas Antarachas
Producer: Leonidas Konstantarakos - Alaska Films
Reasoning:
“The tutors of the Agora Lab want to congratulate all the projects and participants for their creativity and passion. We look forward to watching the great films that will come out of this lab. This guidance award in the form of a consultation with Paradiddle Pictures for festival and outreach strategy goes to Panellinion, a film about a unique place with intriguing characters, made with a lot of humor by an enthusiastic and dedicated team”.
All Agora Docs awards can be found here:
https://www.filmfestival.gr/en/all-news-en/27970-the-agora-docs-awards
The 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival is held thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, of the National Strategic Reference Framework of the Regional Operational Program of Central Macedonia, of the MEDIA program, the valuable contribution of ERT SA, the official communication sponsor of the Festival, COSMOTE TV, Grand Sponsor of the Festival, Alpha Bank, the Festival’s accessibility sponsor, Aegean, the Festival official air-carrier, and Fischer, the Audience Award sponsor of the Festival.
