The winners of the XXII edition of the RIFF Awards – Rome Independent Film Festival, directed by Fabrizio Ferrari have been announced, which over 80 works in competition including documentaries, feature films and shorts, in European and world premieres, representing contemporary independent cinema form all around the word.
There are 10 sections in competition: International and National Feature Films, International and National Documentaries, Italian, International and Animation Short Films and the sections dedicated to subjects and screenplays.
The Jury called to judge the films featured the actors Manuela Mandracchia, Ruben Maria Soriquez and Antonio Folletto, with them the assistant director Alberto Mangiante, Luca Mezzaroma, Executive Producer of Lotus Production, Massimo di Rocco, producer of Bartleby Film, the casting director Davide Zurolo, Viba Diba, architect and Product Manager, Pegah Moshir Pour, Social Media Marketing.
The Award for Best Italian Feature Film goes to “Ciurè” by Giampiero Pumo: “because it is constructed with delicacy and courage. Because Pumo is very good in the dual role of director and protagonist. Because it is an independent film that has the tone of a refined product. A film that talks about two worlds distant from each other that despite this meet and clash, giving life to a fairy tale in reverse.”
“Ciuré” also wins the “Mario Mieli” Special Prize for the best LGBTQIA+ project.
The award for Best International Feature Film goes to “White Paradise” by Guillaume Renusson (France) “because in a scheme already explored by previous works it manages not to remember or fear its predecessors and to excite with expert direction and a precise and very well directed cast . It’s an emotional film.”
The award for Best Italian Documentary goes to “Dino’s Dark Room” by Corrado Rizza which “discovers – for those who don’t know him – the figure and work of Dino Pedriali with a moving and interesting story, not only for the direct testimony of those who ‘he met, of those who worked or collaborated on it and also – obviously – for the inevitable reference to Pasolini”
The award for Best International Documentary goes to “Light Falls Vertical” by Efthymia Zymvragaki (Spain/Germany/Italy/Holland) (because “the theme of violence in the family is interesting and even more so the choice to combine two different experiences but united by the same anguish. The direction of the actors tends towards pure realism, creating a disjointed and painful visual experience, despite the atmosphere of an island of dreams.”
A special mention goes to “Planet B” by Pieter Van Ecke (Belgium). “The new Generation is deeply involved in the fight to protect the planet, demonstrating an active interest in building a sustainable and conscious future. Their connection to environmental issues often translates into concrete action and seeking innovative ways to address global ecological challenges.”
The Award for Best Italian Short goes to “Polvere” by Paolo Carboni
“Polvere” also won the Rai Cinema Channel Award “for its ability to vividly bring to the surface all the emotions that shook public opinion 40 years ago due to a tragic case of bad justice. A delicate, intense and dutiful film, which thanks to the skill of the director and the actors made us fall back into a piece of forgotten reality”.
The Award for Best International Short goes to “Gift” by Xiaotong Jiang (China).
The Best Animated Short Award goes to “Odd One Out” by Micky Wozny (UK).
Best Short for Film Schools to “Immortel.Le” by Éléonore Bürki (Switzerland).
Collateral Awards:
FilmAmo Award for the Documentary category goes to “Planet B” by Pieter Van Ecke (Belgium).
FilmAmo Award for the Feature Film category goes to “Tales of Babylon” by Pelayo de Lario (UK).
The finalist screenplays that participated in Pitch Day and met production and distribution companies also won. The Award for Best Screenplay for a Feature Film goes to Christian Pendered Zur with “Cold Summer”. The award for Best Short Film Screenplay goes to “The Last Reporter” by Michele D’Anca. The Award for Best Subject for a Feature Film went to “Aurora Doesn’t Sleep at Night” by Virginia Bellizzi.
The RIFF Awards, has been organized thanks to the contribution and the patronage of the General Direction of Cinema – Ministry of Culture, to the ’Councilorship for Culture and Youth Policies of the Lazio Region. The project, promoted by Rome, Capitale – Culture Department, is the winning project of the public announcement “Cultures on the move 2023 – 2024” carried out by the Department of Cultural Activities in Rome and it is created in collaboration with SIAE.
