The jury's reasoning: "For a masterful performance of a powerful story and biographical film that sheds light on one of the central forms of German literature." Jury: Mike Downey (Chairman, UK), Francis Annan (UK), Nisan Dağ (Turkey), Eugen Tamberg (Estonia), Piret Tibbo-Hudgins (Estonia) A selection of festival films will be available on PÖFF's online cinema from 29 November. The aim of the award is to bring attention to filmmakers who have promoted the diversity of the film industry and the involvement of minority groups through their activities or creations.Īlthough the winners have been announced, the festival will continue on Sunday. The DDA Spotlight Award went to Austrian director Sebastian Meise for "Great Freedom" and South African-based U.S. The jury named Andrius Blaževičius' film "Runner" the best Baltic film.
The award for best debut went to 32-year-old German director Francesco Sossaile for "Other Cannibals", in which two men in an Italian province try to escape the intolerable reality of everyday life - an attempt to penetrate the depths of a person's state of mind and desires. One of the most famous conductors in the world, Esa-Pekka Salonen, who is also known as a composer, won the best film music award for the film "The Wait" by his compatriot Aku Louhimiehe.Ī total of 19 films participated in the main competition program. The jury named Sofja Krugova, an 11-year-old Russian girl, who plays Kirill Sokolov's black comedy "No Looking Back" - the youngest actor to have won such a high prize in the history of PÖFF. The award for best director and screenwriting went to Wojciech Smarzowski from Poland for "Wedding Day" - a sharp look into the world of thought of a xenophobic society that tends to forget about the unpleasant aspects of its history. at the Coca-Cola Plaza cinema in Tallinn. The winning film was shown on Sunday at 3.15 p.m. "An incredibly credible interpretation of one of Germany's most important artists," the jury reasoned, calling "Dear Thomas" a true cinematic tour de force. "For a masterful performance of a powerful story and a biographical film that sheds light on a central figure in German literature," the jury chaired by Mike Downey, President of the European Film Academy said.įor the first time, the main prize will include €20,000, presented by the city of Tallinn.Īctor Albrecht Schuch, playing Thomas Brasch in the movie, also won the Best Actor award. The film is a homage to this eternally restless soul, but also to art and rebellion. Thomas Brasch, who lived from 1945 to 2001, was a rebel in his life and work, handed over to the East German secret police Stas by his own father, when he organized protests in Berlin after the Prague Spring.