30/08/2021 - The film by Hassan Fazili was bestowed with the Best History Documentary award at the gathering held on the island of Kastellorizo

The Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival has wrapped its sixth edition, running from 22-29 August, which like in previous years, took place on the idyllic island of Kastellorizo, on the shores of the Aegean Sea.

The five-member international jury, chaired by Klaus Eder, general secretary of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), and comprising of Marianna Economou, president of the Greek Documentary Association; Jean-Christoph Caron, head of PHOENIX; Bruno Chatelin, festival agent; and filmmaker Maro Anastopoulou. They picked Midnight Traveler [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Hassan Fazili and Emelie Mahdavian (USA/Qatar/Canada/UK) for the Best History Documentary award.

The film presents the struggle, difficulties and dangers faced by an Afghan director fleeing abroad with his wife and two daughters when the Taliban put a bounty on his head. In its reasoning, the jury underlined: “The highly personal documentation of this family's escape journey from Afghanistan to Europe reveals moments of fear, love, anger and hope, introducing a perspective of daily life which has rarely seen before. This film shows history in the making, in a region of ongoing conflict".

The Best Socio-Political Documentary award was given to the film The Patriarch's Room by Danae Elon (Canada) which tells the story of the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Mr. Irenaios, the deposition from his religious office, as well as what followed and preceded the decision that provoked various reactions in the Orthodox Church. The jury emphasised "the remarkable investigation revealing the conspiracy of men of power and excelling in a very elaborate, cinematographic and entertaining narrative.”

Furthermore, A Black Jesus [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Luca Lucchesi (Germany) won the Special Jury Prize, while High Maintenance [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Barak Heymann (Israel) snatched the jury’s Special Mention.

The Best Greek Documentary Award, courtesy of the Greek Film Centre, was given to Golden Dawn A Public Affair by Angélique Kourounis, for persistently showing the five years of successful fight for the victims of fascism in Greece, setting an example for how personal engagement can protect our democracies.

Here are the winners of the 6^th Beyond Borders International Documentary Festival:

Best History Documentary
Midnight Traveler [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Hassan Fazili, Emelie Mahdavian (USA/Qatar/Canada/UK)

Best Socio-Political Documentary
The Patriarch's Room - Danae Elon (Canada)

Special Jury Prize
A Black Jesus [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Luca Lucchesi (Germany)

Special Mention
High Maintenance [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Barak Heymann (Israel)

Best Short Length Documentary
Difficult - Tal Amiran (UK)

Best Greek Documentary
Golden Dawn A Public Affair - Angélique Kourounis (Greece)

Odyssey Special Award
My Own Personal Lebanon - Theo Panagopoulos (UK/Greece)

Mediterranean Friendship Special Award
Express Scopelitis - Emilia Milou (Greece/UK)