26th Athens International Film Festival: The Awards of the "Greek Short Stories" In Competition section
“The End of Suffering (A Proposal)” by Jacqueline Lentzou won the Golden Athena bof Best Greek Short Film.
The Jury of the “Greek Short Stories” in Competition Section of the 26th Athens International Film Festival sponsored by Nespresso were composed of:
Antoinetta Angelidi, Director (President)
Akis Gourzoulidis, Casting Director
Gerasimos Evangelatos, Lyricist, Translator and Author
Sofia Michailidou, Cultural Events Curator
Angeliki Papoulia, Actress
Golden Athena Award
“The End of Suffering (A Proposal)” by Jacqueline Lentzou
In the jury’s own words:
“For its powerful idea, its originality and complete audiovisual composition, for its philosophical language with a sense of self-sarcasm and the inventive relationship between the spoken and written word. For a journey which starts with the experience of depression and opens a window into a utopia of irony”.
The award is accompanied by a monetary prize of 2000 Euros with the kind sponsorship of the Greek Film Centre.
Silver Athina Special Jury Prize
“Goads” by Iris Baglanea
In the jury’s own words:
“For a look that combines the everyday with the metaphysical, and familiarity with unfamiliarity, from the perspective of children who discover mortality along with the harshness of the world of adults. For a dark and revealing look into childhood hell”.
The award is accompanied by a monetary prize of 1000 Euros with the kind sponsorship of the Greek Film Centre.
Best Director
“Bella” by Thelyia Petraki
In the jury’s own words:
“For the penetrating and authentic presentation of the end of an era that is completely internalized and is in harmony with the protagonist’s psyche. For its philosophical, associative, compositional writing and the excellent balance between documentary and fiction film”.
The award is accompanied by a prize of 1000 Euros with the kind sponsorship of Nespresso.
Best Screenplay
Haris Raftogiannis for the movie “Premier Amour” by Haris Raftogiannis
In the jury’s own words:
“For the cynicism of everything uttered and the tenderness of all that is implied, for the sincerity and the originality of the dialogue but also for the bittersweet yet deeply human humour”.
The award is accompanied by a prize of 1000 Euros with the kind sponsorship of Nespresso.
Best Male Performance
Pavlos Iordanopoulos for the movie “The Meaning of August” by Manos Papadakis
in the jury’s own words:
"For his targeted and deeply instinctive performance and the accessible and sincere rendition of his character”.
Best Female Performance
Elena Topalidou for the movie “Bella” by Thelyia Petraki
In the jury’s own words:
“Touching all aspects of the heroine in both a doric and tender manner, aided by the grounding and moving voiceover she offers a powerful performance on the desperation of those who have something to say, feel a lot, but have learned to remain silent”.
Special Mention
Sandra Abuelghanam and Natalia Swift for the movie “When I Smile My Eyes Close” by Daniel Bolda
In the jury’s own words:
“For its vitality, its mood and charming naturality in their performances”.
Special Mention
Kostas Koronaios for his performance in the movie “Premier Amour” by Haris Raftogiannis
In the jury’s own words:
“For its sensitivity, its hidden humour and the intimacy with which he interpreted loneliness and the need for communication”.
Special Mention
Yiannis Karabatsos for the Direction of Photography to the movie “Mare Nostrum” by Dimitris Anagnostou
In the jury’s own words:
For the black and white photography that poetically depicts the search for a European identity between yesteryear and the present day”.
The Golden and Silver Athena statuettes were designed by George Sepetzoglou and were kindly sponsored by the ZOLOTAS jewellery stores.
Nespresso sponsors the “Greek Short Stories” in Competition Section of the 26th Athens International Film Festival.
