aluCine Best Film Award

and

Best Experimental Film Award

Song of the Flies III - Night - dir. Ana Maria Vallejo

Jury Statement: “Song of the Flies III - Night is an impactful short experimental film that portrays the violent conflict in Colombia, and its ongoing effects. The combination of the film's animated style and personal narratives presents a map of significant violent events. Song of the Flies III - Night’s account of rampage and violence creates a universal idea of ongoing pain and trauma in Colombia.”

Best Documentary Award

The Places We Lived - dir. Jean-Pierre Marchant

Jury Statement: “Through its use of a rich archive of Super 8 and digital home movies  THE PLACES WE LIVED recreates the director’s  own experiences as a child of immigrant parents. The film is a relatable portrait of a family, dealing with cultural shock, social status aspirations, financial hardship, and strained relationships. This jury was reminded how universal some private moments can become when told with transparency and candidness.”

Best Fiction Film Award

Papel - dir. Gisela Carbajal Rodríguez and Felix Klee

Jury Statement: “Moving pictures can sometimes take a pause and just as effectively tell an intimate and captivating story. With its stunning stills that gradually become alive, enthralling sound design, combined with spoken word, PAPEL captures the emotional and physical journey of a woman restlessly searching for her missing lover, while exposing the audience to a cruel and current issue. This jury was moved and inspired by the film’s beauty and its message of loyalty and hope.”

Best Local Film Award

Nesia נסיה - dir. Mikel Guillen

Jury Statement: “This film displays impressive use of choreography, cinematography, and storytelling. It takes a subject that is well-known, such as the Holocaust, and explores it from an entirely new angle. The jury was captivated by the atmosphere that the film created, drawing the viewer into the experience of generational trauma, the past and the present, and how one can be affected by the weight of their family’s history. Beautiful, skillful, and incredibly touching, we felt this film was a great fit for Best Local.”

Best Original Screenplay

Seven Ridges - dir. Antonio Coello

Jury Statement: “Seven Ridges highlights the importance of indigenous stories. This coming of age film allows the audience to explore the heritage of the Seri People through a beautifully crafted story about womanhood and family. It also serves as a reminder of the many challenges that modernity brings to communities that prefer to maintain a traditional form of living.”

Honourable Mentions:

It’s All the Salt’s Fault - dir. María Cristina Pérez

Jury Statement: “An incredible short film with strong technique and story. The juxtaposition of fable-like visuals and the vulnerability in the narrative transports the audience into exploring topics of poverty, family conflict, addiction, and more, all surfacing from the author's childhood memories. It’s All the Salt’s Fault sparks important discussions that many may find relevant at any stage of their lives.”

Autoethnography - dir. Iván Reina Ortiz

Jury Statement: “Autoethnography is a short experimental film that explores relevant social issues such as class, sexuality and gender. Through a personal narrative, the film weaves together archival footage offering a nuanced perspective on the role of women in the construction of masculinity. In doing so, it also raises important questions about traditional Colombian family roles. Autoethnography's beautiful, moving visuals, and intimate narrative spark critical reflection on the reality and lived experience of growing up queer and Latinx.”