Berlin International Film Festival announced the winners of the Awards of the International Juries of Berlinale Shorts and Generation 2021.

The International Short Film Jury of Berlinale Shorts awarded the Golden Bear for Best Short Film to Nanu Tudor (My Uncle Tudor) by Olga Lucovnicova; Silver Bear Jury Prize (Short Film) to Xia Wu Guo Qu Le Yi Ban (Day Is Done) by Zhang Dalei; and Berlin Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards is Easter Eggs by Nicolas Keppens.

The Generation International Jury awarded the Grand Prix for the Best Film in the Generation Kplus competition to Han Nan Xia Ri (Summer Blur) by Han Shuai and a Special Mention for Una escuela en Cerro Hueso (A school in Cerro Hueso) by Betania Cappato.

The Grand Prix for the Best Film in the Generation 14plus competition was awarded to La Mif (The Fam)by Fred Baillif and a Special Mention for Cryptozoo by Dash Shaw.

Berlinale Shorts

Golden Bear for Best Short Film

Nanu Tudor (My Uncle Tudor)
by Olga Lucovnicova
Documentary form / Belgium, Portugal, Hungary

Jury statement:
“In Nanu Tudor (My Uncle Tudor), Olga Lucovnicova leads us through the complexity of unraveling a childhood trauma. While intimate details gradually introduce us to a seemingly idyllic world of innocent nostalgia, her conversation with her Uncle Tudor builds up to expose her childhood horror and his unrepentant denial. Lucovnicova’s subtle cinematic gaze circles around her family members with precision. Her personal courage combined with cinematic mastery create a film that is both powerful and emotionally layered.”

Silver Bear Jury Prize (Short Film)

Xia Wu Guo Qu Le Yi Ban (Day Is Done)
by Zhang Dalei
Fiction / People’s Republic of China

Jury statement:
“A family visit turns into a slow-paced loving farewell between a grandfather and his grandson. The intricately woven family dynamics and superb acting immerse us in a genuine moment in their lives. The superbly crafted mise-en-scène feels natural and unobtrusive. In Xia Wu Guo Qu Le Yi Ban (Day Is Done), Zhang Dalei’s rich cinematic language builds a sensitive family portrait that transcends the duration of the short form.”

Berlin Short Film Candidate for the European Film Awards

Easter Eggs
by Nicolas Keppens
Animation / Belgium, France, Netherlands

Generation Kplus and 14plus: The Awards of the International Jury

Grand Prix for the Best Film in the Kplus competition

Han Nan Xia Ri (Summer Blur)
by Han Shuai
People’s Republic of China

Jury statement:
“This film convinces with its energetic strong visual power and its outstanding combination of all levels of filmmaking. Thereby it creates a summer fairy tale that dances on the edge of a nightmare. In every second, one could sense the heat, the thick air and the pressure that is on the main character. The focus is always on the children’s feelings, perspective and perception, which gives the possibility to share the pain of finding ourselves and our way.”

Special Mention in the Kplus competition

Una escuela en Cerro Hueso (A School in Cerro Hueso)
by Betania Cappato
Argentina

Jury statement:
“With beautiful, heart-warming and strong cinematic vision, the spectator gets invited to a hypnotic and spiritual journey. An intimate and personal film that leaves space and creates space, searches for the similarities, not the differences, looks openly into the world and thus enables a sensitive, hopeful vision of solidarity.”

Grand Prix for the Best Film in the 14plus competition

La Mif (The Fam)
by Fred Baillif
Switzerland

Jury statement:
“Like a rushing, energetic, pulsing heartbeat, this film pushes its characters and viewers in brutal honesty through different stories and incidents. Carried by captivating and strong acting performances it never loses its balance between power and vulnerability. The film pulls you in, never let’s go and hits straight to the heart.”

Special Mention in the 14plus competition

Cryptozoo
by Dash Shaw
USA

Jury statement:
“Portraying sensitive characters in a beautiful and brutal dystopian world, the film gives a ray of hope while it raises big questions. This outstanding artwork naturally handles topics like sex, gender, war, society and relationships. A stepping stone to question society and to never forget to use our imagination for new perspectives. A mind-blowing, disturbing, and visionary trip.”

“Stunned and amazed we discovered many different parts of the world and were invited to numerous beautiful, exciting and thrilling homes and realities. The films touched us deeply. Gratefully we experienced this beautiful mirror of society and we are thankful to all the brave filmmakers who hitchhiked us sharing their extraordinary visions,” so the three jurors.