The ninth Beyond Borders hands out its awards
- Koka by Aliaksandr Tsymbaliuk and Monument by Maksim Avdeev have emerged as the big winners of the Main and μicro Competitions, respectively
The ninth Beyond Borders Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival concluded on 1 September with a vibrant celebration. The event featured 36 premieres across its competition categories, including Greek, international and world debuts, along with eight additional premieres in the Panorama section. A total of 11 awards, amounting to €27,500 in prize money, were distributed across two competitive sections: Main and μicro.
The Main Competition showcased 18 medium- and feature-length documentaries. The Grand Prix – Golden Wreath of Megisti was awarded to Koka by Aliaksandr Tsymbaliuk (Poland), a tender and insightful portrayal of a father and son in a remote fishing village in the Bering Strait. The film was praised for its cinematic finesse, and compassionate exploration of cultural and social survival in a harsh environment. This award, sponsored by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust, includes a €10,000 prize for the best film addressing historical events, socio-political issues or human rights.
The Silver Wreath of Megisti was jointly awarded to My Place Ozerna by Karina Będkowska (Poland) and KIX [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Dávid Mikulán and Bálint Révész (Hungary/France/Croatia), with the jury commending both films for their distinct, yet equally impactful, qualities. This award, also sponsored by the Michael Marks Charitable Trust, comes with a €5,000 prize. The Bronze Wreath of Megisti was bestowed upon I Shall Not Hate by Tal Barda (Canada), a film that delves into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, blending news events with personal tragedy. Sponsored by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT), this award includes a €3,000 prize.
The Best Greek Documentary Award went to Loxy [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Dimitris Zachos and Thanasis Kafetzis (Greece). Co-financed by ERT and the Greek Film Centre, this accolade includes a €2,000 prize for the best documentary by a Greek director.
In the μicro Competition section, the Golden Phoenix was awarded to Monument by Maksim Avdeev (Germany). This deeply emotional and sincere film explores the generational clash between a father and son, reflecting the tension between Russia's old Orthodox imperial values and the modern world. Supported by Phoenix TV, this award includes a €1,250 prize for the best short documentary by a first-time director.
The Silver Phoenix went to Sister of Mine by Mariusz Rusinski (Poland), along with a €1,000 prize, while the Bronze Phoenix was awarded to The Board by Carmen Tortosa (Spain), entailing a €750 prize. Both awards are supported by Phoenix TV. Special Mentions were given to El Kala by Diego Perez Gonzalez (Spain) and Crazy Love by Martyna Peszko (Poland). Award-winning and selected films from the μicro Competition section will be broadcast on Phoenix TV and the Hellenic Parliament TV channel, aiming to enhance visibility and support the creators.
In the Audiovisual Pitching Lab, the jury selected Reminiscing Kanat by Can Ture (Turkey). This project blends dramatisation and animation to portray the 11-year journey of Kanat Güner, a pioneering figure in Turkey’s underground literary scene, as she navigates the streets of Istanbul and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. Filmiki Productions is offering a €1,500 mentorship package, including personalised funding and development advice, to support the project’s growth.
Here are all of the award winners at the ninth Beyond Borders:
Main Competition
Grand Prix - Golden Wreath of Megisti
Koka - Aliaksandr Tsymbaliuk (Poland)
Silver Wreath of Megisti (ex aequo)
My Place Ozerna - Karina Będkowska (Poland)
KIX [+see also:
film review
film profile] - Dávid Mikulán, Bálint Révész (Hungary/France/Croatia)
Bronze Wreath of Megisti
I Shall Not Hate - Tal Barda (Canada)
Best Greek Documentary
Loxy [+see also:
film review
film profile] - Dimitris Zachos, Thanasis Kafetzis (Greece)
Mediterranean Friendship Award
Searching for Rodakis - Kerem Soyyilmaz (Turkey)
Odysseus Award
Christos Adrianopoulos - In the Sky of Nothing with the Least (Greece)
#THISISEU Award
The Pickers - Elke Sasse (Germany)
FIPRESCI Award
Bangarang [+see also:
trailer
film profile] - Giulio Mastromauro (Italy)
μicro Competition
Golden Phoenix
Monument - Maksim Avdeev (Germany)
Silver Phoenix
Sister of Mine - Mariusz Rusinski (Poland)
Bronze Phoenix
The Board - Carmen Tortosa (Spain)
Special Mentions
El Kala - Diego Perez Gonzalez (Spain)
Crazy Love - Martyna Peszko (Poland)
Audiovisual Pitching Lab
Reminiscing Kanat - Can Ture (Turkey)
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