The 32nd edition of the Durban International Film Festival last night announced its award-winners. Winner of the Best Feature Film award, Nader and Simin, A Separation (Iran), directed by Asghar Farhadi, was lauded by the International Jury as a “masterpiece” with “astonishing performances from the ensemble cast”.

The Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Skoonheid (France/South Africa), directed by Oliver Hermanus. The jury commended the film as revealing a director on a “remarkable trajectory”, praising the film’s “subtlety, control and knowledge of film history” and one which “tells a complex South African story with universal appeal”.

The Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award went to Sobukwe, A Great Soul (South Africa), directed by Mickey Madoda Dube, and the prize for Best First Feature Film was awarded to Matthew Gordon for The Dynamiter (USA).

The full list of awards are: 

Best Film: Nader and Simin, A Separation (Iran), directed by Asghar Farhadi

Best South African Feature: Skoonheid (France/South Africa), directed by Oliver Hermanus

Best First Feature: The Dynamiter (USA), directed by Matthew Gordon

Best Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev for Elena (Russia)

Best Actress: Nadezhda Markina in Elena (Russia)

Best Actor: William Patrick Ruffin in The Dynamiter (USA)

Best Cinematography: Mikhail Krichman for Elena (Russia)

Best Screenplay: Asghar Farhadi for Nader and Simin, A Separation (Iran)

Special Mention Feature Film: Skoonheid (South Africa), directed by Oliver Hermanus

Special Mention South African Feature Film: Eldorado (South Africa), directed by Shaldon Ferris and Lorreal Ferris

Best Documentary: Position Among the Stars (Stand van de Sterren) (The Netherlands), directed by Leonard Retel Helmrich

Best South African Documentary: Dear Mandela (South Africa/USA), directed by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza

Best Short Film: Dirty Laundry (South Africa), directed by Stephen Abbott

Best South African Short Film: Dirty Laundry (South Africa), directed by Stephen Abbott

Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award: Sobukwe, A Great Soul (South Africa), directed by Mickey Madoda Dube
DIFF Wavescape Surf Film Festival Audience Award: A Deeper Shade Of Blue (Australia) directed by Jack McCoy

DIFF Documentary Audience Award: Fire in Babylon (United Kingdom), directed by Stevan Riley

DIFF Feature Film Audience Award: The First Grader (Kenya,United Kingdom,South Africa), directed by Justin Chadwick