The 3rd Sochi International Film Festival and Awards took place from Dec. 11-16th, and it was a glamorous and glittering affair and showcased some amazing films, master classes and culminating in an awards show.
Held in the beautiful resort town of Sochi, Russia, right on the Black Sea and at the base of the Caucasus Mountains (and home of the 2014 Winter Olympics), the festival has grown from strength to strength and this year had it’s the biggest year.
Close to 20 films were shown (including 14 of which were in competition for awards), 8 documentaries, and 19 shorts, with films from Russia and Britain as well Turkey, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Canada, Serbia and the U.S. The festival started with a lavish opening ceremony on the 11th and concluding with a glittering awards ceremony where various prizes were handed out (see list below). Prizes were given out not just for films but also to people who are instrumental in the promotion and advancement of the film.
In addition to films, screenings of which were held in and around Sochi, there were excellent master classes (seminars) including a Q&A with Mohy Quandor, who shared his life and work in film. SIFFA founder and CEO Luba Balagova presented a class in how she wanted this year’s festival to be about cementing the British-Russian film relationship – she also created a majority led female Jury this year to decide on the awarding of SIFFA’s prestigious ‘Irida’ statuette. The Irida statuette was named after the Goddess of the Rainbow and divine messenger. Other highlights of the festival included Russian film actress and legend Larissa Luzhina and Quandor’s star installation ceremony (which included them putting their hands in cement to be included inside Sochi’s Luxor Cinema walk of fame), and UK politician Elizabeth Jones giving her opinions on ‘How to improve the British-Russian relationship.’
The Sochi International Film Festival and Awards was a huge, huge success and congratulations must go to Balagova and her hard working team, as well as to the members of the jury who had some hard decisions to make. FAB UK is proud to be one of the sponsors of the festival. Look for a photo pictorial to appear in the next few days.
Main Competition
Main Prize:
“Horizon”, director Tinatin Kajrishvili (2018, Georgia – Germany)
Special Prize:
“Clay Pit”, director Vera Glagoleva (2018, Russia)
Special Jury Diploma:
“Exciting Life”, director Anna Yanovskaya (2018, Russia) — “For the extraordinary combination of genres”
Best Film Director:
“Strangers of Patience”, director Vladimir Alenikov (2018, Russia)
Best Original Screenplay:
“Love Possibly”, scriptwriters Michael Boccalini, Michael Coburn, Che Grant, Kew Lin (2018, United Kingdom)
Best Director of Photography:
“Pilgrim”, DOP Svyatoslav Bulakovsky (2018, Russia)
Vera Glgoleva Prize for the Best Debut:
“Deep Rivers”, director Vladimir Bitokov (2018, Russia)
Best Actor:
“Exciting Life”, actor Alexey Yudnikov
Best Actress:
“Strangers of Patience”, actress Maja Szopa
Best Production Designer:
“Horizon”, Production Designer Georgy (2018, Georgia – Germany)
Best Music:
“Pilgrim”, composer Alexey Aigi
“Kathrine of Sinai”, Costume Designers Annie Curtis-Jones; Margaret McMasters; Stanley McMasters (2018, United Kingdom)
Documentary Film Competition
Best Documentary:
“A Thousand Girls Like Me”, director Sarah Mani (2018, Afganistan-France) — for professionalism, bravery, objectivity and taking a principled stand on human rights and support of the international women’s movement
“Sharkwater Extinction”, director Rob Stewart (2018, Canada) — for sending a clear message to humanity and for the author’s civilian act of bravery
Best Short Film:
“Black Mamba”, director Amel Guelatty (2018, Tunisia)
Special Mention:
“Scream”, director Toma Stenko (2018, Russia-Georgia) — for cinematographic expressiveness, humanity and compassion in exploring the vicissitudes of human life
“Verka Fouettés”, director Inna Shcherban (2017, Russia-Spain) — awarded to actress Anna Nakhapetova for spirited flamenco dancing
SIFFA President’s Award
To Paulina Simacheva, Anna Nakhapetova and Vera Glagoleva for an inspired approach to transcending the limitations of time with arts.
SIFFA / SIFFA President’s Diplomas:
-for Kandinsky Ocean – for visualizing poetry in film
Awards for Contribution to building bridges between countries and peoples:
YEŞIM GÜZELPINAR, producer, Turkey-United Kingdom
SIFFA Management Awards:
“The Greek of the Russian Empire“ directed by Svetlana Muzychenko — For preserving the cultural heritage and historical memory to producer Zlatina Filipova, film “Runaway Smartphone” – for creating and advancing films for children
Special Press Awards:
Goes to Kostadin Bonev – director of the feature film “Away from the Shore” – for discussing the theme that never goes away: balancing art and power goes to Igor Poplaukhin, director of the short “Calendar” – for highlighting a very topical issue – that of the right of the modern women to go beyond her daily chores goes to Svetlana Stasenko, director of the documentary “SHAMANIC LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS” – for using simple language to discuss a mystery-filled topic and for showcasing the traditions of the peoples of the Russian Federation.
