Awards of the 11th Aegean Docs (17– 22 October, 2023)
BEST FOREIGN FILM AWARD
The Best Foreign Film Award goes to “SAVOY” by Zohar Wagner for its complete narration of the incidents that took place in a Tel Aviv hotel during the release operation of hostages held by the PLO Fedayeen, which ended in a bloodshed with a number of victims and for the artistically honest depiction of the main characters and their contradictions. This award is a wish for filmmakers in Israel and Palestine to continue working for the promotion of peace and human dignity.
BEST GREEK DOCUMENTARY AWARD
The Best Greek Documentary Award which is sponsored by the Greek Film Centre goes to two Greek films:
1)The documentary “My Father’s Studio” by Kalliope Legaki for the rescuing and dissemination of the photographic and film archive of the Takis Tloupas. This film showcased the talent of Takis Tloupas but also constitutes a documentation of the way of living in the flatlands of Larissa and the changes that the area went through after the draining of the once full of life lake of Karla and its later partial rehabilitation. This award is a symbolic expression of solidarity on behalf of the islanders of North Aegean to the people of Thessaly afflicted by the recent extended floodings.
2) The documentary “Final Year” by Loukas Palaiokrassas for the perfect cinematographic outcome of a long and demanding observation.
NEW CREATOR AWARD ¨LAKIS PAPASTATHIS¨
This year, the AegeanDocs Festival is introducing the New Creator Award “Lakis Papastathis” for the first time in order to honour the memory of the great filmmaker. The New Creator Award “Lakis Papastathis” goes to the film “Down to Earth” by Paulina Sikora for the brave and consistent way in which the young director served the principles of creative documentary, witnessing the most agonizing family moments and the painful end of the father.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
The Jury offers an honourable mention:
- To the director Saim Kerem Soyyilmaz for his film “Searching for Rodakis” and for his contribution to the restoration of the channels of cimmuncation between the two sides of the Aegean and the people of Greece and Turkey.
- To the director Jose Joffily for his film “A Symphony for a Common Man” and the sensitive and comprehensive depiction of the efforts of his compatriot, the delegate of Brazil in Baghdad, to prevent the war in Iraq.
- To the director Nicolás Moissakis for his film “Musically Different” and his effort to showcase the talent of artists with chronic mental illness.
- To the director Marina Stamati for her film “Extra Time/ 102” for her dedication to the principles of observational documentary.
HONORARY DISTINCTION
The Jury is awarding Alan Gilsenan and Theo Borgen, creators of the film “The Laughing Boy”, with the higher Honorary Distinction for the emotion and the thrill they created to the audience with their work, showcasing the universal value of the music of Mikis Theodorakis.