PARIS, February 16 (ZIZ): The 14th edition of MyFrenchFilmFestival is nearing its conclusion, with the International Jury, International Press Jury, and Content Creator Jury revealing the first set of awards.
The International Jury, comprising Moroccan filmmaker and actor Faouzi Bensaïdi; Italian actor Pierfrancesco Favino; Italian-Brazilian filmmaker Lillah Halla; Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer; and French filmmaker Katell Quillévéré, conferred the Grand Prize to Junkyard Dog by Jean-Baptiste Durand. The film, produced by Insolence Productions and exported by Bac Films, received a €15,000 prize, evenly distributed among the director, producer, and exporter.
Regarding their selection, the International Jury noted Junkyard Dog’s meticulous portrayal of the intricate dynamics, both romantic and violent, among characters in a French rural setting. The film was lauded for its unconventional and universally resonant narrative approach, exploring the challenges of communication, especially among men, in a tender and subtle manner. Additionally, the jury expressed anticipation for Durand’s future works following this mature debut.
Polaris by Ainara Vera received a Special Mention from the International Jury for its exploration of womanhood’s complexities, transcending stereotypes and clichés to present a heroine’s journey grappling with personal dilemmas and destiny amidst natural and environmental forces.
The International Press Jury, comprised of seven foreign journalists, recognized No Dogs or Italians Allowed by Alain Ughetto for its adept storytelling, shedding light on the lesser-known history of European migrations with sensitivity, sincerity, and technical finesse. The film’s stop-motion animation, intertwined with the director’s familial narrative, was praised for its poetic and innovative approach.
The Content Creator Jury, consisting of Cécilia Jourdan, Abdelraouf Meraga & Nadjib Adda, and Alexandre Neyraud, acknowledged Fairplay by Zoel Aeschbacher for its energetic and satirical portrayal of human behavior’s futility. Additionally, Life in Canada by Frédéric Rosset received a Special Mention for its humorous yet poignant depiction of family life, distinguished by remarkable acting performances.
Furthermore, the 18 films participating in the festival are eligible for the Audience Awards, honoring outstanding feature and short films. Audience members can cast their votes on MyFrenchFilmFestival.com until February 19th, with the complete list of winners set to be unveiled on February 20th.
