Jury Decisions 2024
Best of Short
CITTADOR AWARD FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT
"A Place of Our Own" by Max Blomaard, Netherlands
Jury´s Statement
The theme of escape to freedom was successfully told in minimalist black and white mood images. The dialogues, reduced to the essentials, demonstrate – which could be a test for any film – that cinematography is first and foremost a visual medium. Convincing acting, good camera work, mature direction.
CITTADOR AWARD FOR BEST EUROPEAN SHORT
"Come nei rami la pioggia" by Yuri Casagrande Conti, Italy
Jury´s Statement
A highly sensitive, subtly told family drama. The subtext of the relationship shows very well the nature of two characters who face each other more like two equals. Theo Damiani’s excellent acting as the son.
CITTADOR AWARD FOR BEST AUSTRIAN SHORT
"Lasagne" by Reza Rasouli, Austria
Jury´s Statement
The emotionally charged theme of conception as the beginning of a new life is conveyed in an interesting arthouse way: convincing exposure of emotions without emotions. An expected happy moment that becomes empty, sterile, friendless and fearless is made good and present through thoughtful story details.
BEST ARTHOUSE SHORT
"Sans Dieu" by Alessandro Rocca, Italy
Jury´s Statement
A strong concept is presented cinematically with minimal means: the present, the past and the future of a relationship that was unacceptable from the beginning. Very good casting and very good acting by the two young lead actors.
BEST COMEDY SHORT
"Qin Opera and Drum" by Yilin Chen, China
Jury´s Statement
A fine cinematic story and its implementation, which is otherwise rarely achieved: bridging a generation gap with a lot of humor and love and conveying a notoriously well-known message about mutual respect between the younger generation and the older generation and vice versa. In exquisite images, good editing and a well-chosen cast.
BEST COMING-OF-AGE SHORT
"Gritty Eyes" by Juraj Janiš, Slovakia
Jury´s Statement
A brutal, merciless story, told with so much warmth and empathy for the characters and their harsh world that even the most cynical film critic has to hope for a happy ending. Cinematically perfectly orchestrated with the perfect cast.
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
"High Up There" by Alexandro Huber, Austria
Jury´s Statement
An interesting story concept where the boundaries between documentary and live coverage (live broadcast) are blurred. Successful editing and skillful photography combine well with a lovingly and warmly told story of two everyday heroes.
BEST DRAMA SHORT
"Sails of Sorrow" by Artemisia Refle, Austria
Jury´s Statement
What is extraordinary about this film is the Rembrandt lighting in which the characters wander in an in-between world of grief. This creates an elegant level as a counterpoint to the story, making the film seem like an eternal and recurring portrait of human grief and overcoming loss.
BEST MYSTERY SHORT
"Children of Oil" by Zexin Ye, China
Jury´s Statement
The director has mastered a difficult task cinematographically: a story in the style of David Lynch, environmental problems, the childhood trauma of the main character and the related search for ultimate love transformed into a poetic timeless image of the young generation.
BEST PSYCHO THRILLER SHORT
"A Perfect Night" by Angelo Raaijmakers, Netherlands
Jury´s Statement
A weighty story that hits home: the bond in love, which is a polygon for the darkest sides of two lovers. The camera, which tries to convey to the audience the relentless struggle of the characters in an artificial and therefore distant way, is accompanied by an excellent cast and their good acting.
BEST ROMANCE SHORT
"Zum See" by Federico Fasulo, Italy
Jury´s Statement
The calm images of teenage love seem like something from a photo album in which everyone would like to see their own innocent and short-lived love. Simple film language, simple feelings – simply good.
BEST SCI-FI SHORT Gold
"Leaf" by Thom Lunshof, Netherlands
Jury´s Statement
The film has everything a timeless film should have: an exciting but simple plot, the imagination of the director, multi-layered interpretations and symbolism and a convincing cast. An unforgettable film!
BEST SCI-FI SHORT Silver
"154" by Andrea Sbarbaro, Riccardo Copreni, Italy
Jury´s Statement
The most wonderful thing about the film is that it gets to the heart of the highly explosive topic of man and machine/AI and its current problems in a very simple and poetic way. With a simple set design, the beautiful voiceover, great film music and the subtitles as part of the story, watching the film is a pleasure.
Special Awards
Emerging Director Award
"Shitty Liking" by Linua Land, Austria
Jury´s Statement
In an intimate drama about the end of a relationship, in which much hurts and much cannot be processed, a nuanced directing work is revealed: fine interplay of camera, light, editing and sound.
Emerging Director Award
"The Silence Between Us" by Kerstin Schaumberger, Austria
Jury´s Statement
The film’s complex theme – a family drama spanning several generations – is told convincingly and perfectly as an interface between many aspects of the problem. The directorial concept – the clear images of the present as a contrast to the restless images of the past and the precise editing – is perfectly successful.
Remarkable Screenplay Award
"Getting Hit by Maturity in the Age of #whatthefuckshallwedowithourlives" by Alexandra Leonie Kronberger, Austria
Jury´s Statement
A colorful mix of cinematic elements, theatrical images, social media situations, internet partner platforms, advertising triggers and a world of escapism creates chaos around the identity of a millennial. Comic-like, comedic and well thought out.
Acting Art Award Male Supporting Role
"I/Me" by Ani Novakovic, Austria
Jury´s Statement
David Wurawa’s acting embodies the complexity and balance of a role that usually carries great danger because of its clearly negative connotations. Brilliant!
Cinematography Art Award
"Dream Now Revolution Tomorrow" by Francesco Manzato, Italy
Jury´s Statement Two realities of the main character – the desired one and the current one – are determined by the camera as the main character’s sense of time and the main character’s will. And also skillfully and elegantly immersed in the cinematic reality of the director.
Sound Design Art Award
"Mum" by Julia Patey, Germany
Jury´s Statement With the crystal-clear sound, very easily recognizable Foleys and the present smallest details on the sound level, the sound is a fine spiritus movens of the film: as part of the dramaturgy, as the determination of the main character and as the emotional state of the protagonist.
Finalists
Feature-Length Film
Destiny of Souls – Huang hun an, China
Faust – This Had Never Happened or Resurrection of Angels with Broken Wings – Sabina Shiari, Peyman Majidi, Sweden
The Woman and the Cross – Arno Oehri, Liechtenstein
Short Film
Choice after seven years – Vic Yeh, China
Looking for Spring rain – Joyce, China
Semi-Finalists
Short Film
Canaan – Gil Jimenez Felix, France
Fly Away – Yilei Chen, China
Grandma´s Last Train – Lu Zirong, China
Kite String – Li Yuanjian, China
Strangers like us – Pipi Frostl, Felix Krisai, Austria
Together – Phos, China
Official Selection
Feature-Length Film
SEVENSECONDS – The Dream of Flying – Martina Di Lorenzo, Germany
International Short
Anniversary – Zheng Jiayu, China
Dying Wuganding – Chenwenzhi, China
Glass Gaber – Zhang Zhenhao, China
Mom and the Umbrella – Simeng Tan, China
Sugar – Chen Long, Chen Chen, China
Wandering in Paradise – Junhong Chen, China
Austrian Short
Still life – Bianca Carina Lamprecht, Austria
When We Get Home Again – Benjamin Baumgartner, Austria
Congratulations to all filmmakers and their teams!