Awards for 2013
Golden Berlin Bear
WINNER
IN-COMPETITION
Best Short Film
WINNER
IN-COMPETITION
Silver Berlin Bear
Best Actor
WINNER
Best Actress
WINNER
Best Director
WINNER
Best Screenplay
WINNER
Jury Prize - Short Film
WINNER
Outstanding Artistic Contribution
WINNER
Jury Grand Prix
WINNER
Special Mention
International Short Film Jury
WINNER
International Jury
WINNERS
Honorary Golden Berlin Bear
WINNER
Best Debut Film - Honorable Mention
WINNER
Panorama Audience Award
Documentary Film
WINNER
Fiction Film
WINNER
Crystal Bear
Generation Kplus - Best Film
WINNER
The Rocket: Kim Mordaunt
After a little boy has lost his home, he and his family embark on tense journey through a spectacular natural landscape. On the way they encounter many dangers, but the boy's biggest task is still ahead of him: he must finally prove that he can also bring good luck.
Generation 14plus - Best Film
WINNER
Baby Blues: Katarzyna Roslaniec
In this film we were completely unprepared for the extreme way the story unfolds. Its bold editing style, colorful cinematography and innovative direction gave the film great dynamism. The film showed us strong and complex characters who often behaved in contradictory ways. These teenagers seem to be unable to acknowledge their mistakes and take responsibility for them. They are caught between the desire for freedom and the duties of being a young parent.
Best Short Film
IN-COMPETITION
Generation 14plus - Best Short Film
WINNER
Rabbitland: Nikola Majdak Jr.,
Ana Nedeljkovic
This year's winner conveyed a thought-provoking theme to us combined with ironic merit and dark humor. Simply and effectively, it critiques the political structures we live under and makes us feel slightly uncomfortable about our everyday lives. The film is of worldwide relevance and was presented to us in a highly skilled and original fashion.
IN-COMPETITION
Generation Kplus - Best Short Film
WINNER
The Amber Amulet: Matthew Moore
A boy in a magic costume knows all about the power of stones and how to use their energy for a particular purpose. He makes a sad woman happy again and also conjured a smile on our own faces.
IN-COMPETITION
Crystal Bear - Special Mention
Generation Kplus - Best Film
WINNER
Satellite Boy: Catriona McKenzie
An exciting film, shot in magnificent country and with really great music. It gave us a better understanding of the culture of the Aboriginal people in Australia. The film impressed us, especially the excellent acting performances of the two young actors.
Generation 14plus - Best Film
WINNER
Pluto: Su-won Shin
Our special mention goes to a film that critiques the educational structures and more broadly society in an original way, reflecting its deep injustices. The characters in this film draw us into a universe of isolation and powerlessness in the face of brutal peer pressure to conform. We felt the cosmic dimensions of the story and the protagonist's sense that, although being alone in school is harsh, being alone in the universe is devastating.
Generation 14plus - Best Short Film
WINNER
The Date: Jenni Toivoniemi
Two young people cross paths in an unusual situation. Before you know it, a common procedure develops into an unconventional date. We were convinced by the film's ability to tell us far more than it showed. It presented us with a humorous interaction that didn't immediately reveal the complexity of its themes. The multi-layered meanings of the film stayed with us long after we left the cinema.
Generation Kplus - Best Short Film
WINNER
Ezi un lielpilseta: Evalds Lacis
A serious issue packed into a funny story that made us laugh. Amazing animals conquer their world back with wit and intellect.
Teddy
Best Short Film
WINNER
Best Documentary/Essay Film
WINNER
Best Feature Film
WINNER
FIPRESCI Prize
Competition
WINNER
Panorama
WINNER
Forum
WINNER
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
Competition
WINNER
Gloria: Sebastián Lelio
For its refreshing and contagious plea that life is a celebration to which we are all invited, regardless of age or condition, and that its complexities only add to the challenge to live it in full.
Forum
WINNER
Circles: Srdan Golubovic
For its compelling presentation of the human capacity to overcome seemingly invincible prejudices, and to achieve healing through reconciliation.
Panorama
WINNER
The Act of Killing: Joshua Oppenheimer
This deeply unsettling film exposes the evil mass murders which took place in Indonesia in 1965 and reveals the monstrosity of these crimes. It re-opens a deep wound with the conviction that it is worthwhile to unearth such atrocities.
Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention
Competition
WINNER
Forum
WINNER
The Roots: Kaoru Ikeya
For showing a deeply impressive example of the beginning of new life after the Tsunami catastrophe in 2011. The protagonist finds inspiration to rebuild his home in the rich spiritual heritage of Japan.
Panorama
WINNER
Inch'Allah: Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette
For its use of poignant metaphors, images and stories to instill compassion, for foregrounding women's lives and points of view in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and for showing that certain life situations make it hard not to take sides.
C.I.C.A.E. Award
Panorama
WINNER
Forum
WINNER
Prix UIP Berlin (European Short Film)
WINNER
Alfred Bauer Award
WINNER
Label Europa Cinemas
WINNER
The Broken Circle Breakdown: Felix Van Groeningen
Felix van Groeningen is a real filmmaker. This is a beautiful and original way of looking at a mother and father's relationship with their terminally sick daughter. We especially liked the cinematography, the non-linear structure of the story, and the fact that he avoids easy emotional manipulation while dealing with a tough subject. The music from the parents' bluegrass band is not just the soundtrack but a source of energy and hope for everyone. The clear message is that we must invest in scientific research and not allow religion or politics to interfere.
Caligari Film Award
WINNER
DIALOGUE en Perspective
WINNER
Zwei Mütter: Anne Zohra Berrached
The jury found Anne Zohra Berrached's entry Two Mothers not only compelling in its aesthetic form but also in the profundity of its content and authenticity. With its subtle use of colour and the genuine performances of the two protagonists, the film took a very gentle approach to a political issue without trying to politicize it. Through its outward form and the outstanding direction of the many non-professional actors, the film gives a very convincing portrait of a difficult relationship between two women, and their desire for togetherness and family. With intelligence, the director finds a way to open up a new perspective between the classic genres of documentary and fictional film, one in which both forms have a place and merge.
DIALOGUE en Perspective - Special Mention
WINNER
DAAD Short Film Award
WINNER
Peace Film Award
WINNER
A World Not Ours: Mahdi Fleifel
The Danish-Palestinian film director Mahdi Fleifel comes from the refugee camp Ain el-Helweh, one of the oldest camps in the southern part of Lebanon. Together with his father he documents the life of the family and the camp with a camera; with an affectionate gaze and sense of humor over a time period of thirty years. The grueling and hopeless situation of the people inside the camp is obvious as the camp turns into an isolated island. Fleifels memories establish a dense picture of this life in a no man's land. The film is free of the usual patterns classifying the conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians. It thus evolves into a plea for a new peace process in the Middle East. More and more people around the world have to live in refugee camps for long periods of time. They continue hoping for a life in dignity and to be able to return to their homelands.
Amnesty International Film Prize
WINNER
Prize of the Guild of German Art House Cinemas
WINNER
Reader Jury of the "Berliner Morgenpost"
WINNER
Reader Jury of the "Tagesspiegel"
WINNER
Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule"
WINNER
In the Name Of: Malgorzata Szumowska
A movie that authentically addresses an issue, long taboo, and at the same time a challenge for the catholic church to finally embrace the many gay priests within its ranks.
Heiner Carow Prize
WINNER
Made in Germany - Perspektive Fellowship Award
WINNER
Cinema Fairbindet Prize
WINNER
IN-COMPETITION
Grand Prix of the Generation Kplus International Jury
Best Feature Film
WINNER
Mammu, es Tevi milu: Janis Nords
One little lie can change everything, because it often takes an even greater lie to leave things unrevealed. The film touched us deeply, because it gives us a look in the inner conflict of a boy, who learns to take responsibility for his actions and experiences that friendship needs honesty. Congratulation to this wonderful film!
ARTE International Prize
WINNER
Dolby Sound Mark Prize
WINNER
Special Prize of the Generation Kplus International Jury
Best Short Film
WINNER
Cheong: Jung-In Kim
In order to gain acceptance one needs to learn to accept others. When a girl gives up one of her senses, she enters a new world -- the one of her father. And although she cannot see it through his eyes, it is rich and satisfying. A very enjoyable and subtle impression about a life of blind people and their loved ones.
Special Mention of the Generation Kplus International Jury
Best Short Film
WINNER
Ezi un lielpilseta: Evalds Lacis
Ever since Jurassic Park we know that "nature will always find a way". It's only natural then that when animals are moved to the city, they quickly learn to play by the local rules. Because human economy is nothing compared to the laws of nature. When concrete jungle turns back into a forest, you know there had to be some hedgehogs involved in that.
Best Feature Film
WINNER
Satellite Boy: Catriona McKenzie
Sometimes you need to leave your home to know where you came from. Two boys set out for a journey across a breathtaking landscape to save their home. Good spirits and their traditions accompany them and help them to find a way back. At the end of the long walk Pete faces big decisions - and gains awareness of his roots.
Special Mention of the Generation 14plus International Jury
Beat Short Film
WINNER
Barefoot: Danis Goulet
In the short film category the jury would like to thank this filmmaker for taking us into a fascinating world seldom shown on screen. This is a sensitive portrayal of a girl going to extreme and painful lengths to fit in. Your storytelling is important and has strong emotional impact. We are very much looking forward to seeing your future work.
Beat Feature Film
WINNER
Baby Blues: Katarzyna Roslaniec
We celebrate a fantastic, strong cinematic voice that confronts harsh realities with unexpected humour and style. Your strong imagery, compelling characters and a hard-hitting narrative captivated us.
VFF Talent Highlight Pitch Award
WINNER
Grand Prix of the Generation 14plus International Jury
Beat Feature Film
WINNER
Shopping: Louis Sutherland,
Mark Albiston
An extremely compelling first film with a fantastic lead actor. We loved watching him on screen and felt a deep empathy with him. Sharp editing, strong visual choices and a complex, painful and loving portrayal of family. We appreciated the specificity of the world you brought us into. Your dedication to your vision is palpable.
Special Prize of the Generation 14plus International Jury
Beat Short Film
WINNER
Första gången: Anders Hazelius
We would like to recognize a funny and surprising film that defies expectations. Insecurity and social pressure force two awkward people together to share a moment of beautiful and genuine honesty. This film displays a strong visual style and is the work of an insightful and relevant filmmaker.
company.