International Film Festival

The 19th edition of the Ljubljana International Film Festival was a great success. All screenings were attended - tickets sold out a few weeks before the event.

The competition consisted of several categories. The movies contended for prizes such as Best Film Award, FIPRESCI Award, Short Film Award and Audience Award.

The British director, Steve McQueen, should definitely be proud of himsef as his "Hunger" won the most prestigious award for the Best Film. The president of the international jury, Petra Selikar, said The film impressed us with its formal ambition and inventiveness, as well as the use of intense commitment and conviction of its extraordinary central performances. We also admired its willingness to tackle controversial and topical political subject matter. Without compromising the bleakness of the situation, the film still managed to offer some sense of hope through its sensitive portrayal of an unbroken spirit of resistance.

Lance Hammer got the FIPRESCI Award for "Ballast", which was praised for "its innovative use of narrative techniques, for the emotional charge it conveys through minimalist directing approach, and for the collective energy generated by its non-professional, but formidable, cast.

The short film jury granted their prize to 8-minute "Land and Bread" directed by Carlos Armella from Mexico and the audience was obviously swept off their feet as Andrzej Wajda's "Katyn" got the Audience Award.

Eran Kolirins film "The Bands Visit" closed the entire event. We can't wait for the next year's edition!