SHORT TO THE POINT – JULY 2020 AWARDS
BEST FILM
Focal Point | United States | 2020 | 15’
Directors: Matthew Devlin, Kyle Reardon
Writer: Matthew Devlin
Producers: Matthew Devlin, Mehdi Darlis
Cast: Henri Mossiat , Tatum Nickerson, Jennifer Shea, Craig Capone
Synopsis: When Lucas finds himself battling a potential lifetime of epilepsy. He strives to live the life of a normal kid, despite the unique obstacle he now faces.
BEST DIRECTOR
Bare trees in the mist | Nepal | 2019 | 15’
Director: Rajan Kathet
Writer: Rajan Kathet
Producer: Prajjwal S.J.B. Rana
Cast: Laxmi Bardewa, Sarita Giri, Jeevan Baral, Nisum Limbu, Kashib Karki
Synopsis: Kaali and her young son hear that a villager who returned home from abroad has brought them gifts. At first Kaali rejects this possibility outright. But a combination of poverty, desperation and hope eventually makes her walk miles to greet him. At the onset of winter with no contact from her husband – himself somewhere in Arabia – Kaali finds herself on the brink.
BEST SCREENPLAY
Rum Go! | United States | 2020 | 22’
Writer: Markus Thorington
Director: Markus Thorington
Producer: Working Brilliantly
Cast: Joseph Lloyd Lopez, Glen McDougal, Pamela Munro, Liam Gallogly, Oksana Hollinger
Synopsis: The never-ending film… A man gets caught in a living nightmare after he becomes enamored with his best friend’s “far-fetched” fantasies.
BEST LEADING ACTRESS
Consolation | Russian Federation | 2020 | 21’
Actress: Anna Zaykova
Director: Lina Asadullina
Writer: Lina Asadullina
Producer: Lina Asadullina
Synopsis: A female translator of the Greek language from time to time has sex at nights in cars with some occasional taxi drivers. She doesn’t meet them anymore. But one enchanted taxi driver migrant (a person born in former Soviet Republic – Georgia) is trying to find her and he is detained by the police instead. Only this beautiful stranger can help him…But she has to overcome her fears and hang-ups in order to help him.
BEST LEADING ACTOR
Champion | Mexico | 2020 | 18’
Actor: Miguel Sierra Martínez
Director: Oscar Rodriguez Gorriz
Writers: Oscar Rodriguez Gorriz, Miguel Valdez-Lopez
Producer: Ana Medellin
Cast: Miguel Sierra Martínez, Fernanda Arredondo, José Roberto Cáceres, Alejandra Pier Galindo, Federico Gramlinch Pérez, Eugenio Elizondo Chapa, Sergio Quiñones
Synopsis: As a young runner prepares for the big race, the strain from his parents’ push for excellence puts his love of the sport to test.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Soy No Soy | Denmark | 2019 | 19’
Cinematographer: Morten Jensen
Director: Frederik Paludan
Writer: Frederik Paludan
Producer: Penelope Bjerregaard
Cast: Jacob August Ottensten, Karla Løkke, Laura Skjoldborg, Karla Rosendahl Rasmussen, Marie Reuther, Anne Hauger, Sofia Zoe Anissi, Albert Rosin Harson, Allan Christoffersen
Synopsis: On the first day at his new school, Mathias is given the worst possible homework: write an essay about yourself – in Spanish. The timid Mathias struggles to find the words. A minor identity crisis – en español – was not his idea of a good start. However, the essay is quickly put on hold, as he discovers that the deaf girl from school is spying on him. Mathias tries to suss out her motives, but learns that the espionage is about more than mere curiosity.
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Rum Go! | United States | 2020 | 22’
Set designer: Tara Stephenson-Fong
Director: Markus Thorington
Writer: Markus Thorington
Producer: Working Brilliantly
Cast: Joseph Lloyd Lopez, Glen McDougal, Pamela Munro, Liam Gallogly, Oksana Hollinger
Synopsis: The never-ending film… A man gets caught in a living nightmare after he becomes enamored with his best friend’s “far-fetched” fantasies.
BEST EDITING
Focal Point | United States | 2020 | 15’
Directors: Matthew Devlin, Kyle Reardon
Writer: Matthew Devlin
Producers: Matthew Devlin, Mehdi Darlis
Cast: Henri Mossiat , Tatum Nickerson, Jennifer Shea, Craig Capone
Synopsis: When Lucas finds himself battling a potential lifetime of epilepsy. He strives to live the life of a normal kid, despite the unique obstacle he now faces.
BEST NARRATIVE
Clean Exit | Israel | 2020 | 19’
Director: Eyal Levine
Writer: Eyal Levine
Producers: Eyal Levine, Almog Hodedad
Cast: Eyal Levine, Rachel Karen Davis, Efrat Yosha, Yuri Levin, Almog Hodadad, Noe Elkayam
Synopsis: In a world where a huge company has monopoly on suicide, We follow Adam, On his last day on earth.
BEST COMEDY
Acting Stupid | Israel | 10’
Director: Lyr Ben Ari
Writer: Lyr Ben Ari
Producer: Yarden Avriel
Cast: Udi Persi, Lyr Ben Ari, Kai Peker, Moti Tigar
Synopsis: Matan (35) is a committed actor preparing for his role as an undercover police officer in a new TV series. As part of his character work, he grows a mustache and tries cocaine for the first time in his life. He tests out his improvisation skills with an unpredictable young drug dealer. But he soon learns that unlike the movies; in real life there’s no one to shout “CUT” when things are getting out of control.
BEST DRAMA
Cold Mind | United States | 2020 | 16’
Directors: Harrison Dove-Green, Austin Smith
Writers: Austin Smith, Harrison Dove-Green
Producers: Rachel Lebak, Vince Williams
Cast: Ryan Kaiser, Mia Ritter
Synopsis: After surviving a massive cave-in, a coal miner must face his inner demons in order to free himself, all with a canary at his side.
BEST HORROR
Midnight Movie : Magnum Opus | Tunisia | 13’
Director: Myriam Khammassi
Writer: Myriam Khammassi
Producer: Higher School of Audiovisual and Cinema
Cast: Aymen Ben Hamida
Synopsis: In his quest for the perfect sculpture, aiming to reproduce the human body and especially the flesh, Slim, a sculptor, will go as far as kill to create the perfect exposure, the perfect mix between pulp and clay.
BEST FANTASY/SCI-FI
Where Do They Come From? | Austria | 2020 | 20’
Director: Manuel Hüttner
Writer: Manuel Hüttner
Producer: Harry Kemp
Cast: Lukas David Schmidt, Ariana Victoria Martín-Lobera, Gerulf Dösinger, Benjamin Bliemegger
Synopsis: Lukas’s simple, mundane life is turned upside down after meeting the girl of his dreams.
BEST YOUNG DIRECTOR
Down Deloro River | Canada | 2020 | 13’
Director: Josh Wood
Writers: Josh Wood, Alec Macri
Producer: Paige Currie
Synopsis: On the run after looting a prospector, William makes his way down a river to Deloro Ontario where a man will trade gold for cash. After taking cover in this mysterious man’s cabin, William soon realizes he isn’t so much interested in his gold, but something much more valuable.
BEST STUDENT
I was still there when you left me | Belgium | 2019 | 23’
Director: Marie Mc Court
Writers: Marie Mc Court, Abdoulkarim Hamadi
Producer: Mediadiffusion
Cast: Anaé Romyns, Joël Bunganga
Synopsis: Lila, 7 years old, is saved by Karim, her young neighbor, from a fire she thinks she started. They take shelter in an apartment from where they see their tower burning. But when Karim realizes his friend is still in the building, he wants to go back. Out of his sight, Lila locks the door and hides the key of the apartment.
BEST CHILDREN SHORT
Twin Trees | France | 2020 | 05’
Director: Emmanuel Ollivier
Synopsis: A brother and sister walk along, each carrying a tree in a small pot. When they come accross a parrot and a fallen statue, they each have to choose their own journey.
BEST ANIMATION
In My Particular Case | Uruguay | 2020 | 05’
Director: CHICO JOFILSAN
Writers: Chico Jofisan, Duda Fonseca
Synopsis: In a world in which focus no longer stands out dispersion occupies the foreground. This is the theme of this film that shows different resources of animation in adapting to the rhythm of our minds. After all, what other art, if not animation, can shape so many imaginary worlds?
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Wave | Jamaica | 2020 | 20’
Director: Julian Sonntag
Writer: Julian Sonntag
Producer: Julian Sonntag
Synopsis: The film follows the local skateboarding and surfing scene in Jamaica on their journey to the first street skatepark on the island. They get support by the Concrete Jungle Foundation and a team of international volunteers.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
AFFIXED | Australia | 2020 | 09’
Director: HIMANSHI HANDA
Writer: HIMANSHI HANDA
Cast: SHALANE CONNORS, BEN HAMILTON
Synopsis: Affixed is a short experimental film which explores how obsession traverses in the mind, submerging one in a repetitive rhythm . Xara is a personification of obsession who finds her muse in Ben and makes him obsessed with a particular tune of music. The film is divided into three chapters with each chapter exploring what obsession does in a person’s mind in stages. The elements which Xara interacts with is a metaphorical representation of various human emotions.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Earth Odyssey – Asaf Avidan | Germany | 2020 | 05’
Director: Adi Halfin
Producers: Bobbi Jene Smith, Or Schraiber
Cast: Morgan Bobrow-Williams, Vinson Fraley, Mariko Kakizaki , Doug Letheren, Yiannis Logothetis, Rachael Osborne, Ian Robinson, Or Schraiber, Bobbi Jene Smith, Imre Van Opstal, Tom Weinberger, Leal Zielinska
Synopsis: Earth Odyssey was made by dancers from different continents filming themselves in their confinement with their personal phones and computers. It was made in the first week of April 2020 while almost 2 billion people around the globe were unable to move freely due to the restrictions imposed in an attempt to prevent the spread of the CoronaVirus.
BEST MINI SHORT
Behind the Curtain | Italy | 2020 |02’
Director: Giacomo Boeri, Matteo Grimaldi
Producer: Antonio Guarrella
Synopsis: The Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (National Chamber of Italian Fashion) presents Behind the Curtain, the latest fashion film directed and produced by the Milan-based Creativity Factory The Blink Fish. Shot to celebrate Milan Fashion Week AW20/21, Behind the Curtain reveals the secrets of a truly unusual backstage in one long take. A flawless choreography by Laccio takes us through the preparations for a catwalk on the (strictly green) runway of Milano Fashion Week. The different looks of the models were carefully selected by stylist Giulia Sanna with a focus on supporting the local design scene by featuring a wide range of brands based in Italy, from emerging to more established, namely Annakiki, The Attico, L’Autre Chose, GCDS, MSGM, Paula CademarAct N°1, Annakiki, Arthur Arbesser, Blazé Milano, Calcaterra, DROMe, Fantabody, Giannico, GCDS, Gilberto Calzolari, Marco de Vincenzo, Marco Rambaldi, Nico Giani, Sara Battaglia, Stella Jean, Tiziano Guardini, Vìen and Vivetta. The Blink Fish and the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana have been collaborating since 2016, developing an increasingly strong online presence with fresh and relevant video content with each fashion season. Some of their most recent works, such as Start the Buzz, Be Ready and Waiting Room, have been internationally recognised, selected and awarded by several film festivals, including Berlin Commercial, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and the LA Fashion Film Festival.
BEST LOW/NO BUDGET
My Bad Sister | United Kingdom | 2020 | 14’
Directors: Joe Magowan, Charlie France
Cast: Polly Duniam, Sophie Duniam, Millie Duniam
Synopsis: Polly and Sophie Duniam are South East London’s infamous twin sisters who form the duo My Bad Sister. Since early childhood they’ve performed alongside each other as back-up dancers, child actors and MCs. In the last decade the pair’s ferocious energy and tight-knit relationship has earned them a name on the free-party and festival circuit, rapping and dancing in sync over gabber, bassline and jungle influenced beats. Joe Magowan and Charlie France’s short documentary follows Polly and Sophie as they make their way to gigs in Leeds, Berlin and Brixton, accompanied by their younger sister and unofficial manager Millie, who tries to keep her older siblings’ intense and fiery passion from boiling over.
BEST AMATEUR
B E A T | United States | 2020 | 06’
Director: Rich Monteiro
Writer: Tay Jones
Producers: Tay Jones, Julia Armine, Lexx Truss, Justin Uchendu
Cast: Tay Jones, Ricky Flowers Jr
Synopsis: Marcus struggles with trying to correct his path.
BEST COMMERCIAL/AD/TVC
Ingenue | Italy | 2020 | 02’
Director: Luca Mariani
Writers: Luca Mariani and Francesca Antolini
Cast: Giovanna Gentilomo
Synopsis: Through Alice’s work, “Ingenue”, we’ll look at the Wall&decò’s 2020 Contemporary Collection, leading wallpaper brand in Italy. A world where you can get lost, with candor and simplicity, but in which you’ll always be sure to meet each other once again.
BEST STOP-MOTION/TIME-LAPSE
CNUT | Australia | 2020 | 04’
Directors: ARACOURT Studio, Courtney Westbrook
Writer: Barry Staff
Producer: Katherine Shearer
Synopsis: CNUT is a 3-minute stop motion animation exploring the conflict between nature and man’s technology. CNUT is inspired by the story of King Canute (or Cnut) who demonstrates to his subjects that even the most powerful human cannot control the impending tide or nature. We follow our well-dressed protagonist as he tirelessly battles with his environment and task of taking a good selfie. Will he succeed?
