AWARDS
22nd edition TIFF 2024
FEATURE JURY
- Goce Cvetanovski (North Macedonia)
- Anja Dihrberg-Siebler (Germany)
- Tonia Mishiali (Cyprus)
BEST FEATURE FILM
Paradise is Burning by Mika Gustafson
Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy | 2023 | 108’ | Drama, Comedy
For over 90 minutes, we were captivated as we followed the characters of this Movie. The direction
masterfully led us through every emotional twist and turn, revealing the delicate nuances of their
wounded souls as they searched for their identity, survival, joy, and will to live. This Movie left a
lasting impression, and we carry it in our hearts.
BEST PerspecTIFF
Goodbye Julia by Mohamed Kordofani
Sudan | 2023 | 120’ | Drama
This film moved us deeply. We were on the edge of our seats while following the characters in every
moment, the story surprised us till the very end. This movie explores deep human emotions. It
showed us how to overcome hate and intolerance and finding peace with ourselves and
surroundings.
BEST DIRECTOR
Dorka Vermes
Árni | Hungary | 2023 | 100’ | Drama
This director has subtly but masterfully managed to immerse us in the main characters inner world. This film felt like a punch in the stomach and the pain still lingers on.
BEST SCREENPLAY
Isa Qosja
The Stork | Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, Albania | 2023 | 97’ | Drama, Comed
This film allowed us to immerse ourselves in a world unfamiliar to us. We followed the extraordinary
characters into their weird reality that captivated and surprised us. There was a great sense of humor
and humanity in the whole script .
LIVE ACTION & ANIMATION JURY
- Hu Wei (China-France)
- Mónica Santos (Portugal)
- Thanasis Neofotistos (Greece)
BEST SHORT FILM
Nominee for 97th Academy Awards® 2025
Dreams Like Paper Boats by Samuel Suffren
Haiti | 2024 | 19’ | Live Action
For the way it challenges gender roles, giving us a new and sensitive perspective of Haiti. And for the
creative transformation of absence into presence
BEST EUROPEAN SHORT FILM
Nominee for European Film Awards 2024
On the Way by Samir Karahoda
Kosovo | 2024 | 15’ | Live Action
For its poetic cinematic language and captivating rhythm control.
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
Mother is a Natural Sinner by Hoda Taheri, Boris Hadžija
Germany, Iran | 2024 | 15
For the boldness of female exposition to sexuality and for the most daring opening scene…
BEST ANIMATION SHORT FILM
Flower Show by Elli Vuorinen
Finland | 2024 | 9’
For the most exuberant floral experience with a backdrop subtext of the blossoming of female
innocence.
SPECIAL MENTION
ANIMATION SHORT FILM
Matta and Matto by Bianca Caderas, Kerstin Zemp
Switzerland | 2023 | 11’
For the best representative story of distancing in a post-covid metaphor with a captivating technique.
BEST STUDENT FICTION FILM
Our Own Shadow by Agustina Sánchez Gavier
Argentina | 2024 | 20
Amidst the breath of the jungle and the song of the river, some depart while others return, all
dissolving into nothingness at the moment of the eclipse. A poem of time and a collage of space.
BEST STUDENT ANIMATION FILM
Long Distance by Nadja Tanno
Switzerland | 2023 | 6’
For the metaphor of togetherness and loneliness in long distance relationships.
DOCUMENTARY JURY
- Ardit Sadiku (Albania)
- Goran Gocić (Serbia)
- Otilia Babara (Moldova)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Balomania by Sissel Morell Dargis
Denmark | 2024 | 90’
A British rock poet Keith Reid once said: “If nobody wants to print my poems, I’ll rent an airplane and
write it across the sky.” That is exactly what a secret, illegal subculture of São Paulo balloon makers
do. They organize exhibitions on the sky above Brazil. The director shared their passion for seven
years, creating an exciting statement about our endeavour to leave an imprint in the world.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
Ever Since, I Have Been Flying by Aylin Gökmen
Switzerland | 2023 | 19’
The film offers a deep human portrayal of resilience in a Kurdish nomadic tribe. Through the quiet
strength of its women and the protagonist’s haunting experience of loss and captivity, the film
reflects a profound longing for freedom. The final image of a mother’s hands holding a pomegranate
symbolizes life’s enduring cycle amid suffering. This award honours the film’s powerful depiction of
the human spirit in adversity.
BEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY
Reading You by Angeline Teh
Malaysia, Belgium | 2023 | 14’
A delicate and profound exploration of grief and trauma. The film is a journey of reconciliation with
the filmmakers own past through the painful memories of her own mother. Beautifully crafted, this
film deeply moved us.
VIDEO ART & EXPERIMENTAL, BALKAN & IN ALBANIAN JURY
- Hazir Sh. Haziri (Kosovo)
- Sofia Georgovassili (Greece)
- Rouzbeh Rashidi (Iran-Ireland)
BEST VIDEO ART & EXPERIMENTAL
Shokouk: A Cosmicomedy in Four Acts by Rouzbeh Akhbari, Felix Kalmenson
Uzbekistan | 2023 | 17’
A cosmic-comedy film with a strong four-act structure, masterfully crafted as an experimental film. It
explores a universal theme, branching out yet maintaining a coherent core, with exceptional
execution by the directors, creators, and crew.
BEST STUDENT EXPERIMENTAL
Looking Into the Sun by Maximilian Karakatsanis
Germany | 2023 | 7’
To an intimate and visually captivating piece, sharing a quiet, profound moment of connection and loss, conveyed with simplicity and beauty.
BEST BALKAN SHORT FILM
The Visit by Veselin Boydev
Bulgaria | 2024 | 17’ | Fiction
For a remarkable achievement in bringing the topic of corruption during Covid era to the big screen, where the script, acting, cinematography, and masterful direction come together to create an exceptional cinematic experience.
BEST SHORT FILM IN ALBANIAN
Like a Sick Yellow by Norika Sefa
Kosovo | 2024 | 23’ | Documentary
A film that explores hauntology through analogue video and the often-invisible internal domestic spaces, the dark, mysterious aspects of Albanian life are reflected, revealing how the past influences the present.
BEST DEBUT SHORT FILM “Ron Holloway”
Delivery by Ben Lankester
UK | 2024 | 25’ | LIVE ACTION
3rd SCREENPLAY CONTESTIFF 2024
Distribution Award by MAILUKI Films goes to:
Tangled Tails by Oleg Condrea | Moldova
The story captivates with its simplicity and emotion, touching on the relationship between a family and their dog. With sensitivity, Oleg makes us reflect on family bonds and the challenges of life. Congratulations on this excellent work!
SAYONARA Film Award goes to:
Charlotte by Ylljet Aliçka | Albania
For its powerful depiction of the contrast between repression and freedom, in a historical context rarely explored with such delicacy, for the complexity of its characters and the intriguing cultural dynamics.
NEW CRITICS CHOICE
BEST FEATURE FILM
Árni by Dorka Vermes
Hungary | 2023 | 100’ | Drama
For its immersive cinematic world and the boldness to tell the story in an original and authentic style.
NEW CRITICS CHOICE
BEST SHORT FILM
Resort by Chanelle Eidenbenz
UK | 2024 | 20’
The honest depiction of the three family members effectively highlights their individual personalities, conflicts, and connections through thoughtfully crafted stylistic choices.
PANORAMA JURY
- Elma Doresi (director)
- Jonid Jorgji (filmmaker)
- Jonida Koçi (filmmaker)
- Genci Kojdheli (human rights lawyer)
BEST GENERATIONs
kitty_kitty_katxxx by Diệu An
Vietnam | 2024 | 29’ | Fiction
A daring exploration that provokes analysis of the clash between generations, morality, sexuality and the high price of “entertainment” in modern societies, showcasing tensions between the old and the new. Additionally, a very important and prominent undertone is the change in the perception of morality and sexuality as a form of empowerment and at the same time exploitation.
BEST NEW WORLD
P by Stelios Koupetoris
Greece | 2024 | 10’ | Animation
Is it possible to convey great messages through puppets? I believe P demonstrates the best. P shows that media power may deflect any reality via animation without saying a word.
BEST DIVERGENT MINDs
Dori by Redi Mazi
Albania | 2024 | 18’ | Fiction
Desire and passion conquer all obstacles and surpass all limitations. You discover that only constraint is yourself, and that anything you want and seek, you will find. As he found out…
BEST PARADE
The Exchange by Amaia Yoldi
Spain | 2024 | 14’ | Fiction
A movie unfolding spontaneously and realistically a theme of human intimacy concerning the gender identity, where not everything is as it appears to be, as even the well-dressed man in a pedestrian street might desire to wear long red 20 cm boots.
BEST REFLECTING ALBANIA
Italianesi by Saverio La Ruina
Italy | 2023 | 84’ | Documentary
The film showcases the powerful story where the feelings of compassion and resilience of a people intertwine towards their former occupier. With emotion, it highlights hospitality as a fundamental virtue of Albanians towards Italian soldiers during World War II. This poignant documentary serves as an essential reminder of the compassion and humanity displayed even in the darkest times of the Albanian people.
BEST AI FILM
Code of illusion by Ard Kelmendi
Czech Republic | 2024 | 9’ | AI Documentary
Thanks to a fantastic interaction of filming and graphics, we watch and are informed about the two sides of the coin offered by the technology development, its convenience.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Parthenope by Paolo Sorrentino
Italy, France | 2024 | 136’ | Drama, Fantasy
TEENs AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Absence Excuse by Alex Marano
Italy | 2023 | 17’ | Fiction
KIDs AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Sapiens? by Bruno Bozzetto
Italy | 2023 | 23’ | Animation