15/07/2024 - The Silver Apricot was bestowed upon Guto Parente’s A Strange Path, whilst Ninna Pálmadóttir’s Solitude received a Special Mention

On 13 July, Yerevan’s Cinema House hosted the closing ceremony of the 21st Golden Apricot International Film Festival, which unspooled from 7-14 July.

This year saw the triumph of Caroline von der Tann’s documentary The Gospel According to Ciretta [+see also:
film review
film profile], which snagged the top prize, the Golden Apricot for Best Film, in the International Competition. A co-production between Italy and Germany, the feature follows the title character, a streetwise kid from Naples, who organises a celebration for the Madonna while facing eviction from his temporary home in a theatre space – earmarked for conversion to a B&B. The jury was headed by famed US director Alexander Payne, who served alongside Peter Scarlet, Krikor Beledian, Alexandria Bombach and Jaime Noguera.

Meanwhile, the Silver Apricot went to Guto Parente’s A Strange Path (Brazil). A Special Mention was bestowed upon Ninna Pálmadóttir’s feature debut, Solitude [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ninna Pálmadóttir
film profile] (Iceland), a drama penned by Rúnar Rúnarsson.

Next, the Golden Apricot for Best Film in the Regional Competition went to Farah Kassem’s We Are Inside [+see also:
film review
film profile] (Lebanon/Qatar/Denmark), whilst the Silver Apricot in this strand was handed out to Farahnaz Sharifi’s My Stolen Planet [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. Moreover, Emily Mkrtichian’s There Was, There Was Not [+see also:
interview: Emily Mkrtichian
film profile] scooped a Special Mention and the FIPRESCI Jury Prize. Payne and veteran Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi were also invited on stage, both receiving the Parajanov’s Thaler for Outstanding Artistic Contribution.

On 11 July, the GAIFF Pro industry platform, the co-production and financing event held under the auspices of the festival and headed up by Nare Leone Ter-Gabrielyan, also announced its award winners. A total of 17 projects took part in the Co-Production Market (12 features in development and five work-in-progress productions), bringing together filmmakers and producers from over 15 countries. The line-up included projects from Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Turkey, Lebanon and Armenia, with co-production partners such as France, Serbia, Germany, the USA and Belgium.

The international jury for the Grand Prix included Henrik Underbjerg, Dominique Welinski and Marianne Ostrat. They picked as their favourite an Iranian project in development, The Blood Price by Mojgan Sayyadi. “The director’s courageous exploration of this community not only highlights a deeply relevant subject matter, but also brings to the forefront a fight for humanity in the most concrete way. The film’s subject is both tragic and poetic, weaving a narrative that captures the raw essence of human struggle and resilience. This work stands out for its bravery, relevance and its powerful portrayal of a seldom-seen world,” the jurors explained.

As the recipient of the Grand Prix, the project was awarded $5,000 (approximately €4,600), supported by International Media Support and the Golden Apricot International Film Festival. The jury also bestowed a Special Mention upon the Armenian project 14.5 km Away From Ararat by Lilit Mkhitaryan.

Here is the full list of this year’s festival and industry award winners:

International Feature Competition

Golden Apricot
The Gospel According to Ciretta [+see also:
film review
film profile] - Caroline von der Tann (Germany/Italy)

Silver Apricot
A Strange Path - Guto Parente (Brazil)
Special Mention
Solitude [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Ninna Pálmadóttir
film profile] - Ninna Pálmadóttir (Iceland)

Regional Competition

Golden Apricot
We Are Inside [+see also:
film review
film profile] - Farah Kassem (Lebanon/Qatar/Denmark)

Silver Apricot
My Stolen Planet [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] - Farahnaz Sharifi (Germany/Iran)
Special Mention
There Was, There Was Not [+see also:
interview: Emily Mkrtichian
film profile] - Emily Mkrtichian (USA/Armenia)

FIPRESCI Award
There Was, There Was Not - Emily Mkrtichian

Apricot Stone Short Film Competition

Golden Apricot
Home - Hrant Varzhapetyan (Armenia/Russia)

Silver Apricot
Armat - Anna Mkrtumyan (Armenia/Portugal/Belgium/Hungary)

Parajanov’s Thaler for Outstanding Artistic Contribution
Alexander Payne
Jafar Panahi

GAIFF Pro Industry Platform

Co-Production Market

Grand Prix
The Blood Price
Director: Mojgan Sayyadi
Producer: Farnaz Jurabchian (Iran)

Special Mention
14.5 km Away from Ararat
Director: Lilit Mkhitaryan
Producer: Lilit Manukyan (Armenia)

Confidential Special Mention
Confidential project

Pre-production & Promotional Package
Shut Up
Director: Diana Kardumyan
Producers: Ofelya Tovmasyan, Vardan Hakobyan (Armenia/Serbia)

Mentorship Award with Yvette Amirian, ACE
Between the Rails
Director: Nairi Hakhverdi
Producer: Karlen Muradyan (Armenia)

Best Short Film Project 
A Quiet Blue
Director: Ovsanna Shekoyan
Producers: Andranik Sahakyan, Karlen Muradyan (co-producer) (Armenia)

Short Cuts Nest Special Mention
Relic
Director: Sona Khachatryan
Producers: Artashes Yeremyan, Artem Baghdasaryan (Armenia)