The 26^th Ljubljana International Film Festival’s closing ceremony took place on Saturday, 21 November, at the Linhart Hall of Cankarjev dom. After a number by the Kranjci music band, the evening’s host, Janko Petrovec, greeted the guests, including Director General of Cankarjev dom, Uršula Cetinski, Minister of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia, Julijana Bizjak Mlakar, Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Ljubljana, Aleš Čerin, and Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, Rossella Franchini Sherifis. This year’s Liffe featured 99 feature films and 16 short films from 53 countries. There were as many as 46 sold out screenings, 38 guests, and 44,000 tickets sold.

The first prize, the DRAGON Audience Award, went to the film with the highest score. The Dragon sculpture, made by academy-trained sculptor Polona Demšar and bestowed by Tobačna Ljubljana, was presented by Festival Director, Simon Popek. The award went to The Second Mother by Anna Muylaert that received the score 4.66.

The FIPRESCI Prize is presented by the International Federation of Film Critics and Journalists. The jury consisting of Margarita Chapatte, Eithne Mary O'Neill and Tina Poglajen presented the award to Family Film byOlmo Omerzu, “a well-crafted and subtle family drama about the gap between appearance and reality. It is a film that captivates the audience with an incredible performance by the family’s pet dog.” Omerzu thanked the jury for the award which is especially welcome as it comes from the ‘home turf’, and did not forget to mention the dog trainers.

The Short Film Award jury consisted of Anja Kučko Braun, Milan Milosavljević and Bojana Bregar. As the weather conditions prevented the jury member from arriving to the ceremony in time, the award was presented by sponsorDušan Lah, representative of the EIS company. The jury awarded two special mentions, to Discipline by Christophe M. Saber and As Long as Shotguns Remainby Caroline Poggi and Jonathan Vinel. The Best Short Film Award went to Picnicby Jure Pavlović; the award was accepted by producer Luka Venturin, “It’s nice when your film screens at festivals across the world but it’s even nicer when the film is recognised by regional audiences familiar with its mentality and characters.”

The main festival prize, the Kingfisher Award, is bestowed by sponsor Telekom Slovenije to the most promising first- or second-time director. The jury consisted of Zvonimir Jurić, Marko Naberšnik and Srđan Vuletić, and the award was presented by Marketing Director of Telekom Slovenije, Simon Furlan, who stressed that Telekom had the pleasure of “presenting the Kingfisher Award for the twentieth time.” Jury member Marko Naberšnik first presented the Special Mention to The Project of the Century, by Cuban Carlos M. Quintela, while the main prize went to Rams by Grimur Hakonarson “for an outstanding and proficiently conveyed story, a powerful and emotional account about the world that needs more understanding, dialogue and, ultimately, love.” The award was accepted by the lead actor, Theodór Júlíusson, who thanked the jury from the bottom of his heart, “I love you all.”

Director General of Cankarjev dom, Uršula Cetinski, told the “short but wonderful story” about the 20-year happy marriage between Liffe and Telekom Slovenije and presented the 2015 Sponsor of the Year Award to Telekom Slovenije. After accepting the sculpture by academy-trained sculptor Dušan Tršar Simon Furlan stressed that it was an honour to support culture and a passion to sponsor the Ljubljana Film Festival.

In concluding, Petrovec addressed the filmmakers across the world: “When you make your next film bring it here. The Ljubljana audiences are eager for good stories.” The ceremony concluded with the screening of the film by Nanni Moretti, My Mother.

Written by Andraž Jež

Photo Iztok Dimc

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