Expresion en Corto Awards 2008

BEST SHORT FICTION:

Como Todo el Mundo (Franco Lolli, Columbia/ France, 2007)

For its honest portrayal of a Mother and Teenage Son´s life, love and struggles to maintain their respective dignity during difficult times. A great discovery of emerging talent from Columbia.

SPECIAL JURY AWARD- BEST ACTOR:

Roeland Wiesnekker in Auf der Strecke (Reto Caffi, Switzerland/ Germany, 2007)

We give a special award for the profound performance of Roeland Wiesnekker in “Auf der Strecke”- who conveys intimately the conflict and irony of being human. Behind every great performance is a great director, Reto Caffi.

BEST SHORT FICTION VIDEO:

Niños que nunca existieron (David Valero, Spain, 2007)

The director conveys the strength of the love between two innocent brothers as they face the horror of their destiny during the often abstract setting of war.

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY:

The Ladies (Christina Voros, United States, 2007)

This intimately and beautifully named short film reveals the complex relationship between Vali and Millie, two elderly sisters who live together in an urban New York neighborhood. The entire 13minutes film is shot within the confines of their crowded apartment where they sleep, eat and work as seamstresses, day in and day out. The film maker, Chrstina Voros, maximizes the advantages of in this rich documentary “set” (their apartment) to reveal the life stories of the two Hungarian sisters who candidly talk about their marriages, careers, friendships and each other.

BEST LONG DOCUMENTARY:

The English Surgeon (Geoffrey Smith, England, 2007)

The winner of the long documentary competition is a moving and gripping film about the necessity of hope, friendship and passion. Ultimately it is about life and death itself. Through the eyes of Henry Marsh- a committed neurosurgeon from England and Igor-his long time friend and colleague from Ukraine- we are mad aware of the serious dilemmas of the doctor- patient relations as well as the poor medical and difficult political conditions in a former soviet state. It is a cleverly structured narration that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster from beginning to end. The beautiful score by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis subtly underscores the powerful experience.

SPECIAL JURY MENTION:

Alone in Four Walls (Alexandra Westmeier, Germany/ Russia, 2007)

We would like to give a special mention to a highly cinematographic film that comes unobtrusively close to its subjects: young criminal boys from rural Russsia who are locked up in a home for juvenile delinquents. Congratulations to Alone In Four Walls by director Alexandra Westmeier and producer and cinematographer Inigo Westmeier.

BEST ÓPERA PRIMA:

Victorio (Alex Noppel, Mexico, 2007)

In a masterful directorial debut Alex Noppel gives us “Victorio”, an unsentimental yet unexpectedly tender story of love and friendship in the brutal world of the Mara Salvatrucha gangs. An accomplished production with a stunning ensemble performance from three gifted actors and a delicately calibrated musical score, “Victorio” pierces through to the humanity of its characters while creating a vivid portrait of the drug trade and resulting gang violence which present a very real and growing threat throughout Latin America today.

SPECIAL JURY MENTION- ACTING:

Roberto Sosa as Lulú in Victorio (Alex Noppel, Mexico, 2007)

The jury would like to give special mention to the actor Roberto Sosa. In what could have become a melodramatic role in the hands of another actor, as the transvestite Lulú he delivers a performance of tremendous subtlety, nuance and emotional truth.

BEST EXPERIMENTAL SHORT:

Yours Truly (Osbert Parker, England, 2007)

For an excellent combination of different techniques and gripping narration.

SPECIAL JURY MENTION EXPERIMENTAL SHORT:

Sweat (Hong-Jin Na, South Korea, 2007)

For elegant photography, music and uses of dual perspectives.

BEST SHORT ANIMATION:

Premier Voyage (Gregoire Sivan, France, 2008)

For excellent animation and lively narration that touches the viewer.

SPECIAL JURY MENTION SHORT ANIMATION:

Jacinta (Karla Castañeda, México, 2008)

For superior animation, soundtrack and excellent execution.

BEST MEXICAN SHORT:

Beyond the Mexique Bay (Jean- Marc Rousseau Ruiz, México/ France, 2008) A beautiful narrative by director Jean-Marc Rousseau Ruiz who tells a story about a brief but powerful relationship between a foreigner and his guide in the desert. Congratulations to Jean-Marc for the award and we look forward to his next film with great anticipation.

BEST MEXICAN DOCUMENTARY:

Intimidades de Shakespeare y Victor (Yulene Olaizola, Mexico, 2008)

For her personal tale featuring her grandmother´s relationship to a former boarder, a young, vibrant artist. The film shows a darker side of this mysterious talented man. Congratulations to Yulene. We wish her much success with this film and we look forward to seeing her future projects.

BEST GUANAJUATO FILM:

Un dìa despues (Hiram Guzmán Rodríguez, Mexico, 2007) for the creative animation work used to recount the last days of an ancient man.

PRESS AWARD:

Conozca la Cabeza de Juan Perez (Emilio Portes, México, 2007)

WOMEN IN FILM AWARD:

Breath (Margien Rogaar, the Netherlands, 2007)

Ms. Rogaar has demonstrated a sophisticated aesthetic while telling a beautiful story.

SIGNIS AWARD:

Ryba (Alexander Kott, Russia, 2008)

Because through the hopeful eyes of a child, with excellent visual resources, this film shows us the dreams and accomplishments of life in a cold and desolate context.

SPECIAL MENTION:

Graffiti (Vano Burduli, Georgia, 2007)

For showing art as creation and revelation of the human spirit in its vital necessity for freedom and peace above all repression.

AUDIENCE AWARD:

Real en 14 (Rafael Gutiérrez Mercadillo, Mexico, 2008)

1st PRIZE SHORT FILM:

El Sotano by Mario Guerrero

1st PRIZE FEATURE FILM:

Alaide by Gilda Salinas

1st PRIZE

Propiedad Privada (Ángeles Muñiz Cachon, Spain, 2007)

2nd PRIZE

Cicatrices (Alejandro Márquez Vela, Mexico, 2008)

3rd PRIZE

Todos te Queremos (Miguel Chehaibar, Mexico, 2008) ¿Perfecto? (Jaime Fraile, Spain, 2006)

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Ángel (Lilly Wolfensberg, Mexico, 2008)

Debajo de sus faldas (Maria Suarez & Esteban Varadé, Spain/ Senegal, 2007)