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MICFF इंडिया
Mumbai International Cult Film Festival
MICFF WINNERS 2020
List of Winners in Best Film Categories
FILM OF THE FESTIVAL AWARD
(BEST SHORT FILM OF THE FESTIVAL)
Mum's Hairpins
Tatiana Fedorovskaya (Russia)
Directed by Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
Directed by Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Graduated from the Higher Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors, Moscow.
Short film "Mum's Hairpins":
MICFF INDIA 2020 : 'Film Of The Festival',Best Director,Best International Short','Best Cinematography,Best Actor In Lead Role,
Director Statement:
(Mum's Hairpins)
When I was a young child, my grandfather Yasha (Jacob Fedorovsky) recounted the fascinating story of his escape from Radomyshl, a small Jewish shtetl in Ukraine that was under German occupation in 1941. A small box containing his mother's hairpins, the only thing that remained from his family, helped him and his new friend – a wounded goat – to escape death.
I have wanted to tell this story to my audience ever since I began my career as a filmmaker.
The Second World War, and the atrocities associated to the Holocaust in particular, make for an extremely sensitive topic. Numerous films are made about it every year and, lets face it, some of them exploit these topics, as well as other acute social themes such as domestic violence, refugees, disability, to ensure their acceptance by festivals and cinema critics.
In my "Mum's Hairpins", I tried to avoid direct scenes of violence, brutality, and human suffering. The entire story is seen through the naive perception of my protagonist, a ten-year-old boy, Yasha, who, together with his friend is trying to survive this hopeless situation.
Everything that happened to them over those twenty-four hours is condensed into a short movie.
We endeavoured to create an authentic environment, within which the actors could perform. After a long search, we succeeded in finding a location that has remained unchanged since the 1940s: The small village of Kudrichi in South-Western Belarus, near the Ukrainien border. Much like Radomshyl, all the Jewish inhabitants of Kudrichi were exterminated during the summer of 1941, and just a few abandoned wooden houses remained. Our artists spent a week creating props using local materials, as well as artefacts, that were lent to us by the Russian Museum of Jewish History. An old recording of the Yiddish lullaby "Schlof sche mean vogele" (Sleep Well My Little Bird) was used as the principal musical theme. Rather than use a professional composer, as I had initially intended, I decided to use fragments of Mahler's and Rachmaninov's symphonies. Surprisingly, casting was the easiest part of pre-production. I posted an announcement on my Facebook page asking for a 10-year old red haired boy to play the lead role and within half an hour I received a video by the perfect candidate, whom I approved as my leader character. Coincidentally, he too, is named Yasha.
Short film "Mum's Hairpins":
MICFF INDIA 2020 : 'Film Of The Festival',Best Director,Best International Short','Best Cinematography,Best Actor In Lead Role,
Director Statement:
(Mum's Hairpins)
When I was a young child, my grandfather Yasha (Jacob Fedorovsky) recounted the fascinating story of his escape from Radomyshl, a small Jewish shtetl in Ukraine that was under German occupation in 1941. A small box containing his mother's hairpins, the only thing that remained from his family, helped him and his new friend – a wounded goat – to escape death.
I have wanted to tell this story to my audience ever since I began my career as a filmmaker.
The Second World War, and the atrocities associated to the Holocaust in particular, make for an extremely sensitive topic. Numerous films are made about it every year and, lets face it, some of them exploit these topics, as well as other acute social themes such as domestic violence, refugees, disability, to ensure their acceptance by festivals and cinema critics.
In my "Mum's Hairpins", I tried to avoid direct scenes of violence, brutality, and human suffering. The entire story is seen through the naive perception of my protagonist, a ten-year-old boy, Yasha, who, together with his friend is trying to survive this hopeless situation.
Everything that happened to them over those twenty-four hours is condensed into a short movie.
We endeavoured to create an authentic environment, within which the actors could perform. After a long search, we succeeded in finding a location that has remained unchanged since the 1940s: The small village of Kudrichi in South-Western Belarus, near the Ukrainien border. Much like Radomshyl, all the Jewish inhabitants of Kudrichi were exterminated during the summer of 1941, and just a few abandoned wooden houses remained. Our artists spent a week creating props using local materials, as well as artefacts, that were lent to us by the Russian Museum of Jewish History. An old recording of the Yiddish lullaby "Schlof sche mean vogele" (Sleep Well My Little Bird) was used as the principal musical theme. Rather than use a professional composer, as I had initially intended, I decided to use fragments of Mahler's and Rachmaninov's symphonies. Surprisingly, casting was the easiest part of pre-production. I posted an announcement on my Facebook page asking for a 10-year old red haired boy to play the lead role and within half an hour I received a video by the perfect candidate, whom I approved as my leader character. Coincidentally, he too, is named Yasha.
BEST INDIAN SHORT (WINNERS)
MICFF GOLD
Iddah (Kerala)
Shammas Jamsheer
Film Synopsis:
Imagine a grieving woman who has no choice but to remain virtually confined within the walls of a closed room for months, barred from meeting people who should consoled her and brought her out of grief and sense of loneliness. The movie portrays such a hapless woman, Qamarunnisah. Hailing from a traditional Muslim family, she finds herself within the confines of the room for a period of over four months - ‘Iddah’ (waiting period ) - after her husband's demise. She is disconnected from the outside world for four months and ten days.
Shammas Jamsheer
Film Synopsis:
Imagine a grieving woman who has no choice but to remain virtually confined within the walls of a closed room for months, barred from meeting people who should consoled her and brought her out of grief and sense of loneliness. The movie portrays such a hapless woman, Qamarunnisah. Hailing from a traditional Muslim family, she finds herself within the confines of the room for a period of over four months - ‘Iddah’ (waiting period ) - after her husband's demise. She is disconnected from the outside world for four months and ten days.
MICFF SILVER
Poet In Two Worlds (Pune)
Swapnil Vasant Lata Kapure
Film Synopsis:
Rajendra Shekate - Raja - is an unemployed rural young with M.A. B.Ed. who fells to secure a job. His passion for writing poetry adds to the fury of his father who expects Raja to at least work in their own soya bean farm. Raja's mother is always entangled in the fights between father and son, while Raja is muddled between his love for poetry and inevitable farming.
The village, its traditional order of living, people, their varying emotions and their struggle for existence are the sources of inspiration for Raja's words. Raja witnesses them all empathetically. He pens it differently. Once, Raja gets an invitation for a lit-fest in City and a whole new world is unleashed to him. A world where he would only dream to be. It is a platform where Raja expects his poetry to be appreciated. But at this very hour, village is going through few unexpected incidences which make the whole surroundings hostile, especially to the farmers. Such unpredictable background has always pulled Raja back from stepping ahead. This time Raja prefers to chase his dreams abandoning his rural and agrarian burdens. But this choice ensnarls him into a bitter reality of both these worlds.
Swapnil Vasant Lata Kapure
Film Synopsis:
Rajendra Shekate - Raja - is an unemployed rural young with M.A. B.Ed. who fells to secure a job. His passion for writing poetry adds to the fury of his father who expects Raja to at least work in their own soya bean farm. Raja's mother is always entangled in the fights between father and son, while Raja is muddled between his love for poetry and inevitable farming.
The village, its traditional order of living, people, their varying emotions and their struggle for existence are the sources of inspiration for Raja's words. Raja witnesses them all empathetically. He pens it differently. Once, Raja gets an invitation for a lit-fest in City and a whole new world is unleashed to him. A world where he would only dream to be. It is a platform where Raja expects his poetry to be appreciated. But at this very hour, village is going through few unexpected incidences which make the whole surroundings hostile, especially to the farmers. Such unpredictable background has always pulled Raja back from stepping ahead. This time Raja prefers to chase his dreams abandoning his rural and agrarian burdens. But this choice ensnarls him into a bitter reality of both these worlds.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Duggi (Kolkata)
Sagnik Chatterjee
Film Synopsis:
Uma, a 28-year-old corporate employee lives with her husband somewhere near Bagmari bazar (Kolkata). Having a huge professional pressure with several overtimes, night shifts and office tours, she couldn't manage to meet her father since last 1.5 years, even though her father also lives in the same city. Finally, Uma plans to meet her father on the last day of Durga Puja (Bengali festival). But on that day, suddenly her father disappears. Uma spends a whole day in her father's place eagerly waiting for him to come back safe and thus, she discovers some unknown facts about her father's life which leave her shocked.
Sagnik Chatterjee
Film Synopsis:
Uma, a 28-year-old corporate employee lives with her husband somewhere near Bagmari bazar (Kolkata). Having a huge professional pressure with several overtimes, night shifts and office tours, she couldn't manage to meet her father since last 1.5 years, even though her father also lives in the same city. Finally, Uma plans to meet her father on the last day of Durga Puja (Bengali festival). But on that day, suddenly her father disappears. Uma spends a whole day in her father's place eagerly waiting for him to come back safe and thus, she discovers some unknown facts about her father's life which leave her shocked.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Baitullah (Mumbai)
Jitendra Rai
Millions of children are engaged in child labour in India, in an increasingly growing number every year. And with that, millions of childhood dreams are never realised as a result of a lack of education. Baitullah is the story of one such child, with a dream, surviving in the maddening metropolis of Mumbai, waiting for someone to notice.
Jitendra Rai
Millions of children are engaged in child labour in India, in an increasingly growing number every year. And with that, millions of childhood dreams are never realised as a result of a lack of education. Baitullah is the story of one such child, with a dream, surviving in the maddening metropolis of Mumbai, waiting for someone to notice.
SPECIAL MENTION
Paath (Mumbai)
Karan Singh Rathore
the film is a story about a girl who becomes a victim of Bride trafficking that has been taking place in certain parts in India
Karan Singh Rathore
the film is a story about a girl who becomes a victim of Bride trafficking that has been taking place in certain parts in India
HONORABLE MENTION
Love Ishtory (Mumbai)
Veenit Katariia
Film Synopsis:
Love Ishtory is dramatical take on the casteism issue fructifying in our country. It’s a story of a young couple facing opposition on their affair. Chavi is from a brahmin family while Aakash belongs to a backward caste.
Chhavi’s father, Bhaskar Shukla, is an influential personality. His daughter’s desire to marry a lower caste boy has shaken him up. Bhaskar ordered the local inspector Dubey Ji to catch Aakash to rough him up.
It is a story of that day on which all this unfolds. Keeping the adrenaline high, the film progresses to reach a point where Chhavi’s elder brother Vicky is ready to blow Aakash’s head off.
Will this classic tale of casteism end in another honour killing?
Will the society again be a mute spectator to a horrific incident?
Veenit Katariia
Film Synopsis:
Love Ishtory is dramatical take on the casteism issue fructifying in our country. It’s a story of a young couple facing opposition on their affair. Chavi is from a brahmin family while Aakash belongs to a backward caste.
Chhavi’s father, Bhaskar Shukla, is an influential personality. His daughter’s desire to marry a lower caste boy has shaken him up. Bhaskar ordered the local inspector Dubey Ji to catch Aakash to rough him up.
It is a story of that day on which all this unfolds. Keeping the adrenaline high, the film progresses to reach a point where Chhavi’s elder brother Vicky is ready to blow Aakash’s head off.
Will this classic tale of casteism end in another honour killing?
Will the society again be a mute spectator to a horrific incident?
BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT (WINNERS)
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Mum's Hairpins (Russia)
Directed by Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
Directed by Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
MICFF SILVER
L'oro Di Famiglia (Italy)
Directed by Emanuele Pisano
Film Synopsis:
A young petty thief and a male robbery. Among the stolen Goods, an object captures his attention: not gold, not silver and not ancient memorabilia, but something much more precious than the worth returning.
Directed by Emanuele Pisano
Film Synopsis:
A young petty thief and a male robbery. Among the stolen Goods, an object captures his attention: not gold, not silver and not ancient memorabilia, but something much more precious than the worth returning.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
The Request (Mexico)
Directed by Rubí Salles
Film Synopsis:
Luis is nine years old and lives the constant absence of his mother. Mrs. Acela has an unusual job, helps 'to die', but her son does not know exactly what his job is and all the time he is worried. About to turn years Luis makes a request that will mark his life.
Directed by Rubí Salles
Film Synopsis:
Luis is nine years old and lives the constant absence of his mother. Mrs. Acela has an unusual job, helps 'to die', but her son does not know exactly what his job is and all the time he is worried. About to turn years Luis makes a request that will mark his life.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Juicy Girl
Directed by MJ Kim
‘Juicy Girl’ is based on events surrounding the murders of several of the many Korean women committed by US Army personnel since the Korean War of the 1950’s.
Directed by MJ Kim
‘Juicy Girl’ is based on events surrounding the murders of several of the many Korean women committed by US Army personnel since the Korean War of the 1950’s.
HONORABLE MENTION
CLOAK
Directed by Naghmeh Maghsoudlou
A "Cloak" ensures the security of a father and daughter’s livelihood on the roads around Tehran.
Directed by Naghmeh Maghsoudlou
A "Cloak" ensures the security of a father and daughter’s livelihood on the roads around Tehran.
Best Film On Women
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Raheel (Iran)
Directed by Ayat asadi rahbar
Film Synopsis:
Raheel , an Afghan national, has illegally traveled to Iran to look for her husband, but there comes up some problems that leave her no hope to move ahead.
Directed by Ayat asadi rahbar
Film Synopsis:
Raheel , an Afghan national, has illegally traveled to Iran to look for her husband, but there comes up some problems that leave her no hope to move ahead.
MICFF SILVER
Told (Portugal)
Directed by Ainá Rocha
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
Directed by Ainá Rocha
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
ANNA (UK)
Directed by
Dekel Berenson
Cannes Official Selection 19' - Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love. Nominated for a short Palme d'Or, BIFA award winner for Best British Short Film, was shortlisted for a BAFTA, more than 200 selections and dozens of awards. Thank you for considering our film!!
Directed by
Dekel Berenson
Cannes Official Selection 19' - Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love. Nominated for a short Palme d'Or, BIFA award winner for Best British Short Film, was shortlisted for a BAFTA, more than 200 selections and dozens of awards. Thank you for considering our film!!
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
To The Unknown God (Italy)
Directed by Rodolfo BisattiI
Film Synopsis:
Lucia lives alone with her 17th years old son Gabriel. Her husband left once their first daughter Anna, died of leukaemia, 8 years ago. Lucia works in a Hospice, where she befriends a retired professor, Redetti (Paolo Bonacelli) and other patients, who are unaware of her personal tragedy and that will become “teachers” for her. Over time, they help her to understand how to “live the unliveable”. Giulio Redetti in particular, will talk to her about his own experiences, showing her how to deal with her angst. Gabriel, Lucia’s son, handles his sufferance for his sister’s loss adopting a fearless way of living, in order to prove to himself and to his mother that to live include the risk of dying. Giulio Redetti’ and Gabriel’ choices overlap inside Lucia, driving her to a new awareness.
Film Synopsis:
Directed by Rodolfo BisattiI
Film Synopsis:
Lucia lives alone with her 17th years old son Gabriel. Her husband left once their first daughter Anna, died of leukaemia, 8 years ago. Lucia works in a Hospice, where she befriends a retired professor, Redetti (Paolo Bonacelli) and other patients, who are unaware of her personal tragedy and that will become “teachers” for her. Over time, they help her to understand how to “live the unliveable”. Giulio Redetti in particular, will talk to her about his own experiences, showing her how to deal with her angst. Gabriel, Lucia’s son, handles his sufferance for his sister’s loss adopting a fearless way of living, in order to prove to himself and to his mother that to live include the risk of dying. Giulio Redetti’ and Gabriel’ choices overlap inside Lucia, driving her to a new awareness.
Film Synopsis:
HONORABLE MENTION
Under The Weight Of Remorse (Brazil)
Lília Moema Santana
Film Synopsis:
Four women, Adelaide, Gloria, Isabel Cristina and Maria Eduarda, are in the reception room of a hospital. Even without knowing each other and taking advantage of this waiting time to be attended, they recount their lives until arriving at that hospital trying to understand what led them there. After several coincidences in their stories, they discover that their lives are linked to the same person, a man named Carlos Cesar. This unusual encounter involves drama, suspense and humor leading the viewer to the same sensations and feelings that the characters experience until culminating in a great discovery.
Lília Moema Santana
Film Synopsis:
Four women, Adelaide, Gloria, Isabel Cristina and Maria Eduarda, are in the reception room of a hospital. Even without knowing each other and taking advantage of this waiting time to be attended, they recount their lives until arriving at that hospital trying to understand what led them there. After several coincidences in their stories, they discover that their lives are linked to the same person, a man named Carlos Cesar. This unusual encounter involves drama, suspense and humor leading the viewer to the same sensations and feelings that the characters experience until culminating in a great discovery.
Best Student Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Yael's Room (Israel)
Directed by Shir Cohen
Film Synopsis:
Yael returns from India to the Kibbutz, where she lives with her mother, with her leg in a cast. She yearns for a room of her own, outside her mother's house. Will Yael be willing to pay the price for her own space?
Directed by Shir Cohen
Film Synopsis:
Yael returns from India to the Kibbutz, where she lives with her mother, with her leg in a cast. She yearns for a room of her own, outside her mother's house. Will Yael be willing to pay the price for her own space?
MICFF SILVER
Boondi Ke Laddoo (India)
Directed by Smera Juneja
Film Synopsis:
An old rickshawala, Shyamalal is preparing to welcome his daughter and her Asian boyfriend home by buying laddoos and learning the language he believes the boyfriend speaks. When he is informed about his daughter’s accident, he rushes to the hospital where he meets Alex and realizes that he does not actually speak Mandarin.
Sahil, a young doctor’s father has come to the city to visit him but he has brought a guest. Sahil learns about his father’s closeted homosexuality when he is picking him up from the airport. What ensues is a difficult conversation
between Sahil and his father’s boyfriend that makes Sahil realize what it truly means to be a family.
Both these stories are intertwined via fate.
Directed by Smera Juneja
Film Synopsis:
An old rickshawala, Shyamalal is preparing to welcome his daughter and her Asian boyfriend home by buying laddoos and learning the language he believes the boyfriend speaks. When he is informed about his daughter’s accident, he rushes to the hospital where he meets Alex and realizes that he does not actually speak Mandarin.
Sahil, a young doctor’s father has come to the city to visit him but he has brought a guest. Sahil learns about his father’s closeted homosexuality when he is picking him up from the airport. What ensues is a difficult conversation
between Sahil and his father’s boyfriend that makes Sahil realize what it truly means to be a family.
Both these stories are intertwined via fate.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Fickle (India)
Directed by Latika Kaushik
Film Synopsis:
A simple Maid ends up doing something insane, when a very renowned Pandit tells her that her em-ployer is the cause of her son’s sudden illness.
Directed by Latika Kaushik
Film Synopsis:
A simple Maid ends up doing something insane, when a very renowned Pandit tells her that her em-ployer is the cause of her son’s sudden illness.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Moshe & Amira (UK)
Directed by Eliot Gelberg-Wilson
Film Synopsis:
When a Jewish boyfriend and Muslim girlfriend's families meet for the first time, an unexpected incident threatens their relationship.
Directed by Eliot Gelberg-Wilson
Film Synopsis:
When a Jewish boyfriend and Muslim girlfriend's families meet for the first time, an unexpected incident threatens their relationship.
HONORABLE MENTION
Told (Portugal)
Ainá Rocha
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
Ainá Rocha
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
Best Lockdown Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Pawn (India)
Soumya Roy Choudhury
Film Synopsis:
Its like any other day in India. A man finishing his daily routine in this lockdown When suddenly he plays a cassette, and we hear a woman’s voice. There was a message, a message for her boyfriend wishing him on his birthday and proposing to him. Soon after that all we hear is a crash. The man we are witnessing in our film is an ordinary man, a man who been brainwashed to follow a communal thought. A man who tried to kill that woman we heard of. A man who also saved her and kept her hidden. A man who is torn into pieces, to choose between morality or propaganda. This film based on the unrestingly situation of communal hatred in India, in which slowly minds are being poisoned and common men are being used as "Pawns"(Peyada) to secure a particular Vote bank.
Soumya Roy Choudhury
Film Synopsis:
Its like any other day in India. A man finishing his daily routine in this lockdown When suddenly he plays a cassette, and we hear a woman’s voice. There was a message, a message for her boyfriend wishing him on his birthday and proposing to him. Soon after that all we hear is a crash. The man we are witnessing in our film is an ordinary man, a man who been brainwashed to follow a communal thought. A man who tried to kill that woman we heard of. A man who also saved her and kept her hidden. A man who is torn into pieces, to choose between morality or propaganda. This film based on the unrestingly situation of communal hatred in India, in which slowly minds are being poisoned and common men are being used as "Pawns"(Peyada) to secure a particular Vote bank.
MICFF SILVER
Unicorn (France)
cédrick spinassou
Film Synopsis:
A MAN IS LEFT ALONE AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONFINEMENT. HE DECIDES TO USE HIS CHILDREN'S DOWDS AS AN ADVENTURE COMPANION.
cédrick spinassou
Film Synopsis:
A MAN IS LEFT ALONE AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY FOR THE DURATION OF THE CONFINEMENT. HE DECIDES TO USE HIS CHILDREN'S DOWDS AS AN ADVENTURE COMPANION.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Closed until further notice (UK)
Jason Gregg
Film Synopsis:
Conspiracy theories, love and turmeric! A family cut off through isolation come together via a conference call.
Jason Gregg
Film Synopsis:
Conspiracy theories, love and turmeric! A family cut off through isolation come together via a conference call.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Smoked Chicken Gravy (India)
Maaz Kazmi
Smoked Chicken Gravy makes an attempt to highlight the unheard voices trapped under severe intimidation of their abusers. Since lockdown, cases of domestic violence rose exponentially and the film shows one such voice desperately trying to be heard. The film appeals to all of us to be more aware and empathetic to such unheard voices present all around us.
Maaz Kazmi
Smoked Chicken Gravy makes an attempt to highlight the unheard voices trapped under severe intimidation of their abusers. Since lockdown, cases of domestic violence rose exponentially and the film shows one such voice desperately trying to be heard. The film appeals to all of us to be more aware and empathetic to such unheard voices present all around us.
HONORABLE MENTION
One Earth, One Chance (India)
Mansha Totla
A one-shot film emphasising the increase in plastic pollution caused by human beings, that is slowly, but surely, suffocating our only planet.
Will it survive?
Mansha Totla
A one-shot film emphasising the increase in plastic pollution caused by human beings, that is slowly, but surely, suffocating our only planet.
Will it survive?
Best Documentary Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Payal_I See Now (India)
Shruti Sharma
Payal_I See Now, is a story of a young girl, who suffered from cataract, a treatable problem yet responsible for permanent blindness in kids. Due to her inability to see clearly, Payal becomes a butt of joke of her classmates. Her courageous side comes forward once she undergoes surgery and Payal is able to follow her dreams. She loves to study and wants to work in Indian Railways in future.
Vision has brought hope in her life.
This documentary is our attempt to raise awareness about the issue of congenital cataract, a leading cause of blindness among children.
Shruti Sharma
Payal_I See Now, is a story of a young girl, who suffered from cataract, a treatable problem yet responsible for permanent blindness in kids. Due to her inability to see clearly, Payal becomes a butt of joke of her classmates. Her courageous side comes forward once she undergoes surgery and Payal is able to follow her dreams. She loves to study and wants to work in Indian Railways in future.
Vision has brought hope in her life.
This documentary is our attempt to raise awareness about the issue of congenital cataract, a leading cause of blindness among children.
MICFF SILVER
Utopia Of The Outraged (Chile)
Marcelo Lagreze
Chile woke up on October 18th, 2019.
The streets are flooded with people demanding to be heard, the main demand is "until dignity becomes a habit."
While some people demonstrate peacefully, others: "the first line", confronts the police to guarantee the safety of the protesters.
All this is represented in a metaphorical and poetic way through the voice of the reading of Eduardo Galeano's poetry "the right of deliriuous".
Marcelo Lagreze
Chile woke up on October 18th, 2019.
The streets are flooded with people demanding to be heard, the main demand is "until dignity becomes a habit."
While some people demonstrate peacefully, others: "the first line", confronts the police to guarantee the safety of the protesters.
All this is represented in a metaphorical and poetic way through the voice of the reading of Eduardo Galeano's poetry "the right of deliriuous".
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
The Gallic Pact (France)
Sébastien Duhem
57 BC, Julius Caius Cesar is campaigning against some of the Gallic people. A young gaul's aristocrat will discover his roots and culture through an initiatory journey.
Sébastien Duhem
57 BC, Julius Caius Cesar is campaigning against some of the Gallic people. A young gaul's aristocrat will discover his roots and culture through an initiatory journey.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Goddess In The Pool
Gerardo Korn, Martin Serra
The film shows the creation of the “Goddess in the Pool” by renowned Argentine painter Guillermo Roux, between January and May 2016.
The protagonists spend a hot summer in an empty pool, dive into a world of paint and, in the process, find a retreat to escape from dreary reality and to get carried away by the magic of art.
Gerardo Korn, Martin Serra
The film shows the creation of the “Goddess in the Pool” by renowned Argentine painter Guillermo Roux, between January and May 2016.
The protagonists spend a hot summer in an empty pool, dive into a world of paint and, in the process, find a retreat to escape from dreary reality and to get carried away by the magic of art.
HONORABLE MENTION
Herstory (Italy)
Simon Barletti
A based-on-interviews mockumentary about Adriane Chraïbi: a young female scientist who creates a mind reader device which changes the role of the women in the scientific communities worldwide.
Simon Barletti
A based-on-interviews mockumentary about Adriane Chraïbi: a young female scientist who creates a mind reader device which changes the role of the women in the scientific communities worldwide.
Best Animation Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Just For The Record (Serbia)
Vojin Vasovic
In an abandoned attic, dictaphone robot REC desperately tries to connect to тхе bird that stops on its window. Using his play button to say something, he finds himself shocked by the content and scares the bird away. He rushes to make her come back, to record over his "own voice" before his battery leaks.
Vojin Vasovic
In an abandoned attic, dictaphone robot REC desperately tries to connect to тхе bird that stops on its window. Using his play button to say something, he finds himself shocked by the content and scares the bird away. He rushes to make her come back, to record over his "own voice" before his battery leaks.
MICFF SILVER
Temptation Of Saint Francis (US)
Johnnie Semerad
Two ill matched garden statues fall in love in this animated exploration of the battle between spiritual enlightenment and physical desires that we all go through. An imaginative take on what happens in your garden when you’re not looking.
Johnnie Semerad
Two ill matched garden statues fall in love in this animated exploration of the battle between spiritual enlightenment and physical desires that we all go through. An imaginative take on what happens in your garden when you’re not looking.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Shadowland (Switzerland)
Bellopropello
The diverse communication options offered by a cell phone influence our social and consumer behavior. Excessive use changes the design of <head-down people’s> life and lifestyle habits.
Bellopropello
The diverse communication options offered by a cell phone influence our social and consumer behavior. Excessive use changes the design of <head-down people’s> life and lifestyle habits.
Best Thriller Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Bittersweet (Guam)
James Davis
Kayla (Rose McAfee) gives Danny (Gavin Chargualaf) a chance to redeem himself one last time in hopes of saving their relationship from an unforgivable sin.
James Davis
Kayla (Rose McAfee) gives Danny (Gavin Chargualaf) a chance to redeem himself one last time in hopes of saving their relationship from an unforgivable sin.
MICFF SILVER
The Last Order (India)
Madhubanti Mukherjee
Film Synopsis:
A woman in her thirties spent her birthday alone at home due to the lock down. Since there was no food in her house she ordered food online without checking the safety measures of the restaurant. Her friends told her to be more careful.
The man who came to deliver the food was not wearing his mask properly. When she pointed that out he apologized and asked her to wear a mask as well. She was in a little dilemma whether to eat the food or not, but ate it nevertheless.
Five days later she was woken up by a strange glitch in her phone.
Since that moment onward a lot of eerie things start happening with her till the end, where there is a shocking revelation.
Madhubanti Mukherjee
Film Synopsis:
A woman in her thirties spent her birthday alone at home due to the lock down. Since there was no food in her house she ordered food online without checking the safety measures of the restaurant. Her friends told her to be more careful.
The man who came to deliver the food was not wearing his mask properly. When she pointed that out he apologized and asked her to wear a mask as well. She was in a little dilemma whether to eat the food or not, but ate it nevertheless.
Five days later she was woken up by a strange glitch in her phone.
Since that moment onward a lot of eerie things start happening with her till the end, where there is a shocking revelation.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Chapter 9 (US)
Jake Brown
Caught in the clutches of a nefarious island, Edward Prendick crosses a terrifying Thing that soon wreaks upon him a flood of endless torment. With one treacherous turn after another, Prendick must make his way through this world or suffer the end of his own.
Jake Brown
Caught in the clutches of a nefarious island, Edward Prendick crosses a terrifying Thing that soon wreaks upon him a flood of endless torment. With one treacherous turn after another, Prendick must make his way through this world or suffer the end of his own.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Siren (Canada)
Christopher Beaubien
Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April and her combative lover Brooke are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers. During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves... and each other.
Christopher Beaubien
Driving on a highway late at night, distracted driver April and her combative lover Brooke are pulled over for speeding by two sinister police officers. During a strange and increasingly frightening interrogation, the two women find themselves under the power of a supernatural force that changes everything they ever knew about themselves... and each other.
HONORABLE MENTION
In Perspective (Iran)
Arshia Zeinali
"In Perspective" is a psychological drama about human or human beings who take place in an inappropriate place and time and...
Arshia Zeinali
"In Perspective" is a psychological drama about human or human beings who take place in an inappropriate place and time and...
Best Micro Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
A Face Behind The Smile (India)
Mohankumar Padya
A women how she hides the domestic violence against her yet keeps a smile on face is the story of a face behind the smile.
Mohankumar Padya
A women how she hides the domestic violence against her yet keeps a smile on face is the story of a face behind the smile.
MICFF SILVER
Aparajita (India)
Sanskriti Shrivastava
A story about the struggles most men and women go untouched by. Reality often hurts as they say, but for some people, realities turn out to be a living nightmare. The film delves into the journey of Pranjali, another soul lost in the chaos of our society. Pranjali lives what we can call a half-life has dreams of her own. Only that, her dreams do not touch the sky. She is seeking what most beings overlook in their quest in life. Happiness, contentment, acceptance, belonging.
Sanskriti Shrivastava
A story about the struggles most men and women go untouched by. Reality often hurts as they say, but for some people, realities turn out to be a living nightmare. The film delves into the journey of Pranjali, another soul lost in the chaos of our society. Pranjali lives what we can call a half-life has dreams of her own. Only that, her dreams do not touch the sky. She is seeking what most beings overlook in their quest in life. Happiness, contentment, acceptance, belonging.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Password (India)
Rohan Kumar Das
As Kathi Zumo obsesses over his new mobile device, he zones out of his relationship, his work and the world. Unhappy with life, he attempts a last ditch effort to get rid of his addiction.
Rohan Kumar Das
As Kathi Zumo obsesses over his new mobile device, he zones out of his relationship, his work and the world. Unhappy with life, he attempts a last ditch effort to get rid of his addiction.
Best Experimental Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Detour (Canada)
Alex Leigh Barker
A vintage television program features a young women telling a tale of doomed romance.
Alex Leigh Barker
A vintage television program features a young women telling a tale of doomed romance.
MICFF SILVER
Lavenders Blue (UK)
Saranne Bensusan
Information is power. Governed by a corrupt Artificial Intelligence, can one woman's home video spark a revolution?
This makes up part of our Anthropocene Chronicles, a sample of the associated book can be downloaded free as a pdf an anthropocenechronicles.com/free-sample
we encourage making this available to your audience as it is free of charge and contains the follow-on story.
Saranne Bensusan
Information is power. Governed by a corrupt Artificial Intelligence, can one woman's home video spark a revolution?
This makes up part of our Anthropocene Chronicles, a sample of the associated book can be downloaded free as a pdf an anthropocenechronicles.com/free-sample
we encourage making this available to your audience as it is free of charge and contains the follow-on story.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Snatch Me Good
Camille Hollett-French
When there's a snag in learning a black market trade, who gets the last laugh?
A Cascadoo Films and Collective production, this dark comedy is about one of the most lucrative industries on the planet and fate's twisted humour.
Camille Hollett-French
When there's a snag in learning a black market trade, who gets the last laugh?
A Cascadoo Films and Collective production, this dark comedy is about one of the most lucrative industries on the planet and fate's twisted humour.
Best Debut Director
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Raj Pritam More (India)
Khisa (Pocket)
This is the story of a young boy who lives in a remote village in Maharashtra. He decides to get a large pocket stitched for his school shirt, in which he keeps all his precious belongings - petals, coins, marble balls; A pocket, he is proud of. It sets him apart from others his age, whose pockets are not only smaller in comparison but also ordinary and similar to each other in appearance.
The little boy does not understand the politics of symbolism that adults engage in, and his pocket soon becomes a point of contention amongst elders in the village ...
This tragic story of the loss of innocence and coming-of-age of a young boy, is ironically symbolic of the times we live in.
Khisa (Pocket)
This is the story of a young boy who lives in a remote village in Maharashtra. He decides to get a large pocket stitched for his school shirt, in which he keeps all his precious belongings - petals, coins, marble balls; A pocket, he is proud of. It sets him apart from others his age, whose pockets are not only smaller in comparison but also ordinary and similar to each other in appearance.
The little boy does not understand the politics of symbolism that adults engage in, and his pocket soon becomes a point of contention amongst elders in the village ...
This tragic story of the loss of innocence and coming-of-age of a young boy, is ironically symbolic of the times we live in.
MICFF SILVER
Irina Vinogradova (Russia)
Sour Cream
The film talks about the fate of teenagers Ulya and Mathew, from a small town where eve-ryone knows each other. An abandoned field near the highway has become a hiding place for them. There, in the tall grass, they managed to hide from prying eyes. And the adult world, with all its rudeness and despair, existed in parallel, no chance of intruding. It seemed, that no one could take away the last days of their passing childhood, with their first love and pleasures that only they could appreciate like bread with sour cream.
However, the immense space and remoteness from the outer world attracts not only teenagers in love. Adults came unexpectedly. Ulya and Matvey became witnesses of a vile crime.
With all their might, they run from what they’ve seen, but they have nowhere to run to. Their childhood is forever left in the grass, which can no longer hide them.
Sour Cream
The film talks about the fate of teenagers Ulya and Mathew, from a small town where eve-ryone knows each other. An abandoned field near the highway has become a hiding place for them. There, in the tall grass, they managed to hide from prying eyes. And the adult world, with all its rudeness and despair, existed in parallel, no chance of intruding. It seemed, that no one could take away the last days of their passing childhood, with their first love and pleasures that only they could appreciate like bread with sour cream.
However, the immense space and remoteness from the outer world attracts not only teenagers in love. Adults came unexpectedly. Ulya and Matvey became witnesses of a vile crime.
With all their might, they run from what they’ve seen, but they have nowhere to run to. Their childhood is forever left in the grass, which can no longer hide them.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
LATIKA KAUSHIK (India)
FICKLE
A simple Maid ends up doing something insane, when a very renowned Pandit tells her that her em-ployer is the cause of her son’s sudden illness.
FICKLE
A simple Maid ends up doing something insane, when a very renowned Pandit tells her that her em-ployer is the cause of her son’s sudden illness.
Best Mobile Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Rohan Kumar Das
As Kathi Zumo obsesses over his new mobile device, he zones out of his relationship, his work and the world. Unhappy with life, he attempts a last ditch effort to get rid of his addiction.
As Kathi Zumo obsesses over his new mobile device, he zones out of his relationship, his work and the world. Unhappy with life, he attempts a last ditch effort to get rid of his addiction.
MICFF SILVER
Vadoba (India)
Vishal Sawant
Vadoba is a story about a school going kid (Kshitiya). Kshitiya in a precarious situation reaches a land which is not been visited by any of the villager......
What was that precarious situation which led him to that land?
Why any of the villagers have not visited that land so far?
What's in store for Kshitiya's future in that land?
Vishal Sawant
Vadoba is a story about a school going kid (Kshitiya). Kshitiya in a precarious situation reaches a land which is not been visited by any of the villager......
What was that precarious situation which led him to that land?
Why any of the villagers have not visited that land so far?
What's in store for Kshitiya's future in that land?
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Tigahdoo (Canada)
Jayden Singh, William Michael
Two young filmmakers ages 7 and 8 go disappear while making a documentary about a cursed doll.
Jayden Singh, William Michael
Two young filmmakers ages 7 and 8 go disappear while making a documentary about a cursed doll.
Best LGBTQ Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
EL ARRIMO (Colombia)
Jaime Andres Roa Ariza
A farm divided into two parts unleashes a fight to the death between Carlos and Humberto, two peasant brothers who dispute to have the greatest amount of land in the inheritance that their father left them.
Jaime Andres Roa Ariza
A farm divided into two parts unleashes a fight to the death between Carlos and Humberto, two peasant brothers who dispute to have the greatest amount of land in the inheritance that their father left them.
MICFF SILVER
Paese Che Vai (Italy)
Luca Padrini
Set in a small town in the Italian countryside, a young and handsome Alfredo returns home after a long time along with his partner Mattia, an African American man. After meeting Alfredo's grandmother, the sweet and crazy Donna Maria, the pair go to see Alfredo's father, Sor Pucci. Alfredo must break the news to his old-fashioned father about his secret. Little did he know his secret will churn into a series of unexpected comic events. This tongue-in-cheek comedy runs parallels alongside on the choices we make.
Luca Padrini
Set in a small town in the Italian countryside, a young and handsome Alfredo returns home after a long time along with his partner Mattia, an African American man. After meeting Alfredo's grandmother, the sweet and crazy Donna Maria, the pair go to see Alfredo's father, Sor Pucci. Alfredo must break the news to his old-fashioned father about his secret. Little did he know his secret will churn into a series of unexpected comic events. This tongue-in-cheek comedy runs parallels alongside on the choices we make.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Mermaid (Iran)
Saber Mostafapour
Milad (Boy's name) abandons home and school to preserve her identity and having nowhere to go, she lives in ruins. Three rapist classmates who are tired of her absence, chase after her in secret and find her in a feminine appearance
Saber Mostafapour
Milad (Boy's name) abandons home and school to preserve her identity and having nowhere to go, she lives in ruins. Three rapist classmates who are tired of her absence, chase after her in secret and find her in a feminine appearance
Best Comedy Short
WINNER MICFF GOLD
Mai Kal Marega (India)
Nishant Jethva
MICFF SILVER
Dahej Ka Scooter
Rahul bhatnagar
Set in Old Delhi, ‘Dahej ka Scooter’ is an eventful
love story of a young boy-Nakul (the ideal
Sharma ji ka beta) who is soon to get hitched.
The story revolves around a strange ancestral
tradition followed by his family according to which
Nakul and his soon-to-be-wife Pihu would have to
ride back home from the ‘mandap’ on a
‘pushtaini’ scooter on their wedding day.
The relationship between Nakul and Pihu
starts to suffer when Pihu out rightly refuses to
follow the tradition. As their wedding day
approaches, things begin to become sour
between the couple.
Rahul bhatnagar
Set in Old Delhi, ‘Dahej ka Scooter’ is an eventful
love story of a young boy-Nakul (the ideal
Sharma ji ka beta) who is soon to get hitched.
The story revolves around a strange ancestral
tradition followed by his family according to which
Nakul and his soon-to-be-wife Pihu would have to
ride back home from the ‘mandap’ on a
‘pushtaini’ scooter on their wedding day.
The relationship between Nakul and Pihu
starts to suffer when Pihu out rightly refuses to
follow the tradition. As their wedding day
approaches, things begin to become sour
between the couple.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
A Final Goodbye (UK)
Directed by Freddie Hill
A young man visits his Aunt, but not everything is as it first appears to be...
Directed by Freddie Hill
A young man visits his Aunt, but not everything is as it first appears to be...
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