SPECIAL JURY PRIZE (Chris Cooper and Marianne Leone) awarded to CHEN CHEN by Kargo Chen

For the construction of a meaningful story with a well-marked beginning, development and finale, result of the work of many emerging crew and cast talents, all at the service of a very delicate story. The high production values and great acting contribute to create a complete and touching cinematic tale.

BEST SOUNDTRACK (in memory of Gabrielle Lucantonio): JORDAN SEIGEL for COSMIC FLING by Jonathan Langager

For crafting a soundtrack capable of supporting the film, in the same way a direction would do. This is also the case for the editing of the short film The Game.

BEST ACTRESS: MATA GABIN for MAMA LOVA by Jeff Taver

The actress so wisely carries the whole weight of the film on her shoulders, creating a  character who knows how to take blows but also return them, with a sense of fear, terror and humiliation in the fight sequences that conveys a lot of humanity.

BEST ACTOR: SALEH BAKRI for THE PRESENT by Farah Nabulsi

For the intense performance able to serve the narrative and to stand out even during the scenes with the highest rate of emotional impact.

BEST EDITING: ROMAN HODEL and ROLF HELLAT for THE GAME by Roman Hodel

For the ability to use the editing as a second (and perhaps first) direction, developing multiple dramaturgical points of view and inspiring the viewer through a precise design with great narrative balance.

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: KONRAD BLOCH for THE DRESS by Tadeusz Lysiak

For keeping together, the level of photography and the aesthetics of the image tuned to the cinematic breath of the staging.

BEST SCREENPLAY: CHRISTIAN ARHOFF  and EMIL MILLANG for VIKTOR ON THE MOON by Christian Arhoff

For the entertaining and original development of many scenes, even when they come from excessive and clearly visible cinematic models. The storyline is impeccable and even the most sudden irruptions serve the story well.

BEST DIRECTOR: JEFF TAVER for MAMA LOVA

For having given rigor to the actress’great performance, directing her with care and always taking her in the right direction, with a dramaturgical efficiency that would justify, in narrative terms, the development of the opera from short film to feature film.

BEST MUSIC VIDEO: NUDDU CA VENI by Giovanni Tomaselli

For the constant fluctuation of reality, myth and dream with a contemporary and fascinating language alongside a communicative power able to demolish any resistance.

BEST ABRUZZO SHORT: ROPELESS by Andrea Carrino

For the ability to delicately capture a simple but meaningful action, with a well-balanced direction. The project highlights a style that is already clearly visible: the precise timing and acceleration of the camera show a sensible analysis on the economy of the staging, betting on the perhaps overused theme of the loss of work with an abstract vocation. Each image, a bit like in Wes Anderson's films, is a frame that we would like to watch for longer.

BEST ANIMATION: THE FABRIC OF YOU by Josephine Lohoar Self (United Kingdom)

For the construction of a mature and surprising animated story, where the memory of a lost love develops through profound narrative and visual solutions, facing bravely regret and sexuality. The stunning sequences continually raise the stakes with inspirations not afraid to wrong-foot, oscillating between unpleasantness and sentiment, eroticism and the horror of feelings.

BEST DOCUMENTARY: THE GAME by Roman Hodel (Switzerland)

For describing football from the referee's unusual point of view, among physical efforts on the pitch and multiple spaces of action. Especially significant and bizarre is the final turning point, which puts the referee in a surprising situation where he has to deal with “other rules”, like a simple human being and an ordinary son: a real game within the game.

BEST NATIONAL SHORT: SPERA TERESA by Damiano Giacomelli (Italy)

A mockumentary (in other words “a fake documentary”) embellished by a very black, macabre and hallucinating humour, between mischief and cruelty, with a magnificent main “actress” Rebecca Liberati. An idea that works on conceptual and deceitful implications with irony and unbridled freedom, in an Italy of hangers and warehouses. The completeness of the registers delivers a portrait joyfully cynical and musical, of the modernity of our country.

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT: VIKTOR ON THE MOON di Christian Arhoff (Denmark)

Viktor on the Moon is a combination both hilarious and pyrotechnic, something in between the dances of La La Land and the humorous work on contemporary art of The Square. A new and personal style, an ode to clever, good humour which uses the few productive means at its disposal with poetic depth. The absolutely flawless narrative times are enhanced by the phenomenal lead actor, Nicolai Jørgensen, who accomplishes so much with his acting by playing with the times, gazes and pauses, working on the character of Candide following in the footsteps of Jacques Tati or Peter Sellers of Hollywood Party.

PREMIO SIFF STUDENTI: KLOD di Giuseppe Marco Albano (Italy)

This award was given by a jury of 200 students of year 4 of Secondary School of Sulmona. Klod, a story of passion and revenge won this prize chosen among a selection of 6 short films. The second place went to a poetic animation film: Umbrella by Helena Hilario and Mario Pece.