Non-statutory awards of 58th KVIFF

THE ECUMENICAL JURY AWARD

Since 1994 the Ecumenical Jury has awarded films from the Crystal Globe Competition that display high artistic quality while questioning social, political ethical, and spiritual values. It promotes directors who emphasize the search for truth, justice, and hope in accordance with Christian Gospels. 

THE ECUMENICAL JURY

Barbora Cihelková, Czech Republic Guido Convents, Belgium Viktor Kókai-Nagy, Hungary

GRAND PRIZE OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY

Loveable / Elskling

Directed by: Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Norway, 2024

This debut film explores a family drama from the female perspective. The protagonist faces a severe crisis in her marriage. Initially, she blames her husband, but through a difficult and painful process of self-reflection, she gradually acknowledges her own significant responsibility in the situation. This acceptance paves the way for both her and her husband to make a fresh start.

COMMENDATION OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY

Panopticon / Panoptikoni

Directed by: George Sikharulidze

Georgia, France, Italy, Romania, 2024

In this compelling coming-of-age tale, a young teenager grapples with the indifference of his parents, who are preoccupied with their own projects in life. Left to navigate the tumultuous journey to adulthood alone, he has to overcome life's challenges. His quest for identity and purpose is further muddled by the complexities of a misunderstood and misapplied religiosity, adding layers of conflict and introspection to his path.

EUROPA CINEMAS LABEL AWARD

Since 2003, the Europa Cinemas Label has been awarded to a European film by a jury of Europa Cinemas network exhibitors at five European festivals. It aims to increase the promotion, circulation and exhibition lifespan of winning films. The Europa Cinemas Label awards the best European film among those selected for the Crystal Globe Competition and the Proxima Competition.

EUROPA CINEMAS LABEL JURY

Sabine Hofmann, Austria Alicia Nieto, Spain Auksė Podolskytė, Lithuania www.kviff.com Loveable / Elskling Directed by: Lilja Ingolfsdottir Norway, 2024

We as a Jury decided to give the Europa Cinemas Label to Loveable, an outstanding debut feature by Lilja Ingolfsdottir. She has an irresistible way of taking the viewer on an emotional roller coaster with her protagonist Maria, played brilliantly by the actress Helga Guren. It is far more than another breakup drama, but a complex exploration of all shades of relationships and love. Through the eyes of the main character, one follows not only Maria facing her inner self, but the audience is allowed to reflect on their own personal experience. In the end, the great and universal message is clear: we can only love others if we love ourselves. We, as exhibitors, expect our audience to fall in love with this film, as much as we did!”

FIPRESCI AWARD

The International Federation of Film Critics Jury awards two FIPRESCI Prizes: to a film from the Crystal Globe Competition and a film from the Proxima Competition, for works that best promote film art and encourage new and young cinema.

FIPRESCI JURY

Louise Dumas, France Sonya Vseliubska, Ukraine Thor Aaberg, Norway Mihai Fulger, Romania Mariam Schaghaghi, Germany Štěpánka Zapata, Czech Republic

The FIPRESCI award for the best film in the Crystal Globe Competition

Loveable / Elskling

Directed by: Lilja Ingolfsdottir

Norway, 2024

We experience human drama on the smallest scale possible, in the smallest cell of society. It's a sparkling film – not only a star, but a firework. We witness the birth of a grand filmmaker, with a first long feature which has already gone under the skin of everybody here, with its painfully accurate writing, its intensity, rawness, universality, "lovelableness", ugliness and immense cinematic energy. It was our festival darling, our "elskling": "Loveable". Congratulations, Lilja Ingolfsdottir.

The FIPRESCI award for the best film in the Proxima Competition

Night Has Come / Vino la noche

Directed by: Paolo Tizón Peru, Spain, Mexico, 2024

The FIPRESCI Prize goes to a powerful debut feature that boldly reveals the fragility hidden in all human endeavours. This outstanding documentary is not afraid to let the light and darkness fight not only on the thematic level but also on the formal one. It depicts a battle with an invisible enemy thousands of miles from Karlovy Vary, but it also recalls the wars around us.