Amsterdam, Netherlands – November 17, 2023: The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) concluded its 36th edition with a grand Awards Ceremony at the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA), honoring the exceptional achievements and creative prowess of filmmakers from around the world.
**INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION**
Shoghakat Vardanyan’s “1489” from Armenia emerged triumphant, securing the coveted IDFA Award for Best Film in the International Competition, accompanied by a substantial €15,000 prize. The jury commended its ability to shed light on concealed emotional landscapes and hailed it as a testament to the transformative power of cinema.
In the same competition, Mohamed Jabaly clinched the IDFA Award for Best Directing (€5,000) for “Life Is Beautiful” (Norway, Palestine). The film resonated for its poignant portrayal of human resilience amidst adversity.
Further accolades in the International Competition recognized exceptional editing by Anand Patwardhan in “The World Is Family” (India), earning the IDFA Award for Best Editing (€2,500), and outstanding cinematography by Anupama Srinivasan, Vandita Jain, and Mrinmoy Mondal in “Flickering Lights” (India), honored with the IDFA Award for Best Cinematography (€2,500).
**ENVISION COMPETITION**
Brazilian filmmakers Ariel Kuaray Ortega and Ernesto de Carvalho claimed the IDFA Award for Best Film in the Envision Competition with their thought-provoking work “Canuto’s Transformation,” accompanied by a €15,000 cash prize. The jury praised the film’s commitment to community-driven storytelling and its nuanced exploration of transformation.
Kumjana Novakova’s direction in “Silence of Reason” (North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina) was lauded, earning her the Award for Best Directing (€5,000), while Ortega and de Carvalho received additional recognition for Outstanding Artistic Contribution (€2,500) in “Canuto’s Transformation.”
**DOC LAB COMPETITIONS**
Ben Joseph Andrews and Emma Roberts’ immersive non-fiction project “Turbulence: Jamais Vu” (Australia) secured the IDFA DocLab Award for its innovative portrayal of societal perceptions surrounding illness. Meanwhile, Tamara Shogaolu’s “Anouschka” (Netherlands, United States, Switzerland) was honored with the IDFA DocLab Award for Digital Storytelling, praised for its seamless integration of narrative and medium.
**SHORT DOCUMENTARY AND YOUTH DOCUMENTARY**
The IDFA Award for Best Short Documentary (€5,000) went to Rita Pauls and Federico Luis Tachella’s “At That Very Moment” (Argentina, Germany) for its candid exploration of life’s intricacies.
In the Youth Documentary category, Mariusz Rusiński’s “Sister of Mine” (Poland) and Sebastian Mulder’s “And a Happy New Year” (Netherlands) were recognized for their exceptional storytelling, each earning a €2,500 cash prize.
**ADDITIONAL RECOGNITIONS**
The festival also celebrated outstanding first features, Dutch films, and narratives addressing societal perceptions and historical contexts, highlighting IDFA’s commitment to diverse storytelling.
The IDFA Forum Awards honored exceptional pitches, rough cuts, and innovative storytelling, underscoring the festival’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering groundbreaking narratives.
The 36th IDFA continues to captivate audiences until November 19, providing a platform for diverse voices and narratives from across the globe.
