FEATURE FILM PROGRAMME:

I KILLED MY MOTHER / Xavier Dolan-Tadros / Canada
Golden Pram award and 5000 € for the best feature film
'We give the award to this film for its sincerity and courage shown. This is a drama that speaks about relations between family members and the thin line separating love from hate. The director’s endeavor to make this film has spurred us to look within ourselves. We would also like to point out the excellent performance by the main actors which greatly contributed to the film atmosphere. The film 'I killed my mother” is an incredible, fresh and touching example of how movies are supposed to be made as well as being an incredible accomplishment for someone so young, therefore deserving the award.'

LEBANON / Samuel Maoz / Israel, Germany, France
Special mention in the feature film competition
'A claustrophobic experience that almost chokes the viewer presented by the director in a well-shaped atmosphere and characters trapped in a tank during the war. This film expresses the idea that war decreases all humanity in people. '
THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD / Radu Jude / Romania, Netherlands, France Special praise by the jury in the feature film competition
'The tacit visual style of the 'Happiest Girl in the World' perfectly suits the context of the story. The performance is incredibly real and perfectly describes family dynamics. This film expertly demonstrates fighting characteristics of normal characters and as such drags the audience into this strong yet subtle drama. It has managed to clearly reveal various frauds brought to us by commercials without using the commonplace hysteric approach. In a simple and light-hearted way it tells us a lot about the influence of consumerism on developing economies. This film managed to express criticism while still being sympathetic and balanced – staying away from caricatures and easy targets.’

SHORT FILM PROGRAMME:
Golden Pram award and 1500 € for the best short film is shared by two films:

MISSING / Jochem de Vries / Netherlands
'The director reminded us in a very poetic way of how hard it is to be a child. In a subtle way we also feel the needs of a child who is aware that it can’t choose those dearest to it. '

EVERY DAY IS NOT THE SAME / Martin Turk / Slovenia
'We were impressed with the director’s ability in leading the characters through the story while toying with the time flow.'

DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMME:

LA VIDA LOCA / Christian Poveda / France, Spain, Mexico
Golden pram award and 1500 € for the best documentary film
'The whole documentary film competition was deemed very exciting and the jury appreciated the variety of cinematographic styles and interesting stories. Some were very shocking and deep while others seemed poetic and charming. Several films were discussed as potential winners and all of these are films we will gladly remember and take home with us as a precious gift from ZFF. Nonetheless, the jury has unanimously decided that one of these films is both wonderfully made and truly exceptional. Following the best tradition of cinema-verite, this film is bold, courageous, yet at the same time filled with empathy and compassionate toward its characters. The director managed to tell an incredible story from the inside, with him not as an observer but an insider who cares about his characters. Since it presented its characters with a lot of human warmth we are facing not black-and-white heroes and anti-heroes of the society but its tragic victims. This film carved its way deep into our hearts and will be living there for a long time not as a shocking story but also as a documentary of powerful suspense, drama and rhythm. Bearing in mind all tragic circumstances surrounding this film, our winner confirms that films can sometimes be more incredible and impressive than real life.'

OLD PARTNER / Chung – Ryoul Lee, South Korea
Special mention in the documentary programme
‘The jury will also want to give a special mention to a documentary that moved us deeply. Its a simple story about simple people and situations, but nonetheless very cinematic and strong. Even though the story takes place in a remote location and we will probably never even meet the characters, we can all learn something from their lives showing that persevering despite all obstacles is the only choice. A man’s need for a partner is absolute even if it’s just an old bull.'

CHECKERED:
COLD FRONT / Uroš Živanoviæ / Croatia
Golden pram award and 1000 € for the best Croatian film in the Checkered programme
'This year’s film selection in the CHECKERS programme has put the jury in a thankless position. It turned out that it was very demanding to try and evaluate between such various films. There were trash comedies, experimental movies, silent films, musical films and solemn dramas filled with dialogue. Every member of the jury had his or her favorites, but all winning ingredients were found in the 'Cold front' directed by Uroš Ĺ˝ivanoviæ, a director who told a story about a young couple just starting their life together in a clean and simple way, showing a lot of potential as an author both in his relationship with the actors as well as the often underrated skill of leading the story limited by time and space. We believe that this award as a commendation of his first title will open new avenues for film projects to come in the future. We see a lot of potential in Uroš, potential that needs to be spurred into action. '

JURY MEMBERS ON THE 7th ZFF
FEATURE FILM AND SHORT FILM PROGRAMME:
Huseyin Karabey, director
Dominic Murphy, director
Jelena Mitroviæ, producer
DOCUMENTARY PROGRAMME:
Rada Šešiæ, director, selector and critic
Chao Gan, director and editor
Yaniv Berman, director and screenwriter
CHECKERED:
Goran Odvorèiæ, director and screenwriter
Marin Juraniæ, editor
Lana Bariæ, actress