Lotus Award for Best Film
Desert of Namibia
by Yoko Yamanaka
“The film captivates the jury through its remarkable portrayal of a young generation’s disillusionment, centering on Kana’s journey through the monotony of modern life in search of self-discovery. It challenges societal expectations and offers a glimpse into Kana’s elusive inner world. Director Yoko Yamanaka presents a raw, intimate exploration of youth, balancing intensity with vulnerability. Complementing this, the equally talented Kawai Yuumi’s captivating performance enhances this collaboration, infusing the film with perceptiveness and understanding.”
Best Director
Matthew Rankin
from Universal Language
“From the very first image of children at play to the haunting stillness of time suspended in the closing moments, the jury was utterly mesmerized by this exquisitely crafted work of lyrical satire, a piece that elicited both uproarious laughter and poignant tears. The director masterfully intertwines a rich tapestry of cinematic traditions, presenting a bold artistic vision that tells the rare and moving story of Farsi-speaking immigrants enduring the harshest of conditions, all while maintaining an unrelenting sense of entertainment. By skillfully infusing love and humor into the most desolate of winters, the film transcends its bleak landscape, warming even the coldest of hearts and speaking a universal cinematic language that resonates across cultures and borders.”
Jury Prize (Ex-aequo)
Pepe
by Nelson Carlos de los Santos Arias
“An extraordinary hippopotamus speaks Afrikaans, Mbukushu, and Spanish, telling the story of its abduction from Southwest Africa to Colombia, where Pablo Escobar bought it for his zoo. Its journey blends personal loss with historical themes, offering a playful yet poignant look at a nation struggling navigating through complexities of its present.”
Viet and Nam
by Truong Minh Quy
“Within the film’s self-contained visual tableaux, the two young coal miners seek refuge from the harsh reality that surrounds them. Self-determination, freedom, loss, and identity are transfigured into poignant emotional imagery.
As we follow the journey of two mine workers and lovers, their endlessly digging into the darkest depths of the ground they inhabit, the film captures the intense, charged atmosphere of lives on the edge, digging through the layers and layers of generation trauma and separation where every moment feels laden with unspoken tension.”
Special Mention
MA – Cry of Silence
by The Maw Naing
“The jury would like to give a special mention to a rare work of independent cinema from Myanmar that seeks to uphold truth and justice, made within a time of oppressive authority. We think it is important to highlight this lesser-known story of resistance told with the raw power of the collective voice and the pure intent of cinema for liberation and change. Through poetry in action the film pays tribute to the struggles of women in Myanmar fighting for their labour rights in hopes to empower others to break the silence, not just by a whimper but a roar.”
