The August Virgin (La virgen de agosto) directed by Jonás Trueba won the prestigious FIPRESCI prize, awarded by The International Federation of Film Critics, at the 2019 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. The jury commented, “The award goes to a modest, unpretentious film skillfully opening a number of issues and tackling a range of emotions while maintaining an inspiringly positive worldview.”

Lara directed by: Jan-Ole Gerster picked up another award, the Ecumenical Jury prize for “A well-acted and intelligently directed film of a depressed mother’s psychological humiliation of her composer musician son.”

The FEDEORA Award, given by the Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean for the best film from East of the West – Competition section, went to Passed by Censor (Görülmüştür) directed by Serhat Karaaslan. The film was lauded for “the empathetic approach to the exploration of universal topics such as oppressive regimes and censorship.”

Scandinavian Silence (Skandinaavia vaikus) directed by Martti Helde won the Europa Cinemas Label Award, for the best European film in the Official Selection – Competition and in the East of the West – Competition.

The jury commented, “The Europa Cinemas Label of the 54th Karlovy Vary Film Festival is awarded to a film by a young Estonian director who engages its audience through an exceptional cinematic journey. The story of a troubled sibling relationship unfolds via different variations of silence. The viewer is not only engaged throughout the story by impressive camera work and outstanding music but also by a pure cinematic approach, a powerful script and an original narrative. Therefore, the jury decided unanimously to award the Europa Cinemas Label to the film Scandinavian Silence by director Martti Helde, part of the East of the West Competition. We look forward to see this amazing film reach audiences all over Europe.”

AWARD OF INTERNATIONAL FILM CRITICS
Awarded by The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI).

The August Virgin / La virgen de agosto
Directed by: Jonás Trueba
Spain, 2019

THE ECUMENICAL JURY AWARD

Lara / Lara
Directed by: Jan-Ole Gerster
Germany, 2019

Ecumenical Jury Commendation

Let There Be Light / Nech je svetlo
Directed by: Marko Škop
Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, 2019

FEDEORA AWARD
Federation of Film Critics of Europe and the Mediterranean for the best film from East of the West – Competition section.

Passed by Censor / Görülmüştür
Directed by: Serhat Karaaslan
Turkey, Germany, France, 2018

FEDEORA JURY Special Mention

Aga’s House / Shpia e Agës
Directed by: Lendita Zeqiraj
Cosovo, Croatia, France, Albania 2018

EUROPA CINEMAS LABEL AWARD
For the best European film in the Official Selection – Competition and in the East of the West – Competition.

Scandinavian Silence / Skandinaavia vaikus
Directed by: Martti Helde
Estonia, France, Belgium, 2019