“Mon Père le Poisson” by Britta Potthoff and Adrien Pavie is the winner of “Sister Water” prize for the best short film
“Sister Water” prize for the best mini short film has been awarded to “Chao Pescao” by Andrés Forero
Rome, June 9 – The short film “Mon Père le Poisson” (France, 2017, 15’) by Britta Potthoff and Adrien Pavie is the winner of “SISTER WATER prize” for the best Short film, in the third edition of Aqua Film Festival, short and mini short film festival, with meetings, workshop, and special events dedicated to and inspired by the theme of water, directed and created by Eleonora Vallone, which was held from June 7 to 9 in Rome, at the Caravaggio cinema and the House of Cinema.
The short film tells the story of Esteban, a 7 years old boy ,who lives with the father in a messy farmhouse, in France. Back home from the river, after having fished a trout, Esteban finds his father gasping like a fish out of water. In the fantastic imagination of the boy everything is confused: he must save the fish to save his father. “The magical realism of the film – explains the jury’s statement – reminds us, through an intense story, which never uses a tragic tone, the wonderful power of childhood”.
The prize was awarded by a jury composed by the screenwriter and producer Enrico Vanzina, actresses Elena Sofia Ricci and Irene Ferri, screenwriter and film director Francesco Bruni, director of photography Enrico Lucidi, voice actor Stefano De Sando, and film director and University professor Fabien Pruvot Delesalle.
The jury has awarded the “SISTER WATER” prize to the Best Mini Short Film to “Chao Pescao” by Andrés Forero Serna (Colombia, 2017, 1’45’’, animated film), about the story of a “teenager” fish who is going to leave his house, and has to say goodbye to his family to follow his fate. “This small animated film – explains the jury’s statement – effectively sets the stage for a principle: youth is a risk worth taking”
Prizes will be awarded to the winners of SISTER WATER by the president of Italian Cinema Experimental Centre, Caterina D’Amico.
“AQUA & ANIMATION” mention – this year’s innovation – has been awarded to the mini short animated film “Sea” by Sabrina Zerkowitz (Spain, 2017, 3’37’’), about the story of a paper boat that lands on a small boat, and animates the small creatures living there. “This animated film is the perfect example that simplicity has always been a point of arrival, and is the result of accurate study, talent and inspiration”.
The Festival prize list includes the following special mentions:
“AQUA & ENVIRONMENT” mention to “Negra Soy” by Laura Bermúdez (Honduras, 2018, 12’30’’): three women and a girl represent, through their stories, the ancient rituals of the Garifuna de Punta Gorda community in Honduras. The prize has been awarded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and was conferred by Maurizio Codurri, President of the Italian Association of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “A story that testifies the ancestral relationship between women and the continuity of history. The attitude to take care, and to hard work, which becomes lighter when made with love and spontaneity”.
“AQUA & FILM ComingSoon” mention for the best film director has been awarded to Massimo Loi and Gianluca Mangiasciutti for the short film “Je ne veux pas mourir” (Italy, 2018, 7’12”), about the story of a tragedy of our time, from the perspective of people forced to learn how to live tomorrow. “ A slap in the face. Technical ability – explains the jury’s statement – creates a story about the theme reality/ fiction, and gets the audience to face their responsibilities. A final look of desperation, but also of hope”.
“AQUA & ISOLA – A.N.C.I.M” mention : the prize, conferred by the National Association of Small Islands, has been awarded to “Acquasanta” by Mauro Maugeri (Italy, 2018, 14’). In the sea village of Santa Maria la Scala, in Sicily, the feast of Virgin Mary is an opportunity to make the houses and the dock, that are quiet for the rest of the year, alive. Young fishermen, old people and children are the players of ancient rituals connected to water and to the self-recognition of a community blessed by the sea. They will stop fishing all over the Mediterranean to celebrate, once again, an explosive “baptism” open to everybody. “A wise, though not flaunted direction – explains the jury’s statement – highlights a little known side of Italy, where the sacred and profane are blended in the pure energy of sea in August ”.
“AQUA STUDENTS NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL” mentions have been awarded respectively to “La Nostra Acqua”, by students from the Secondary School of Capoliveri (LI) “G. Carducci”, and “La Magia dell’Acqua” by David Felipe Orbes Cardenas, from the University of Narino (Colombia). The two prizes will be conferred by Acquasmart srl.
Aqua Film Festival is realised by the Association Universi Aqua.
Aqua Film festival has been supported, since the first edition, by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and Italian Association of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation onlus. The event is also supported by: Italian National Committee of Unesco, WWAP – World Water Assessment Programme, Italian Ministry of the Environment, Consulate of the Principality of Monaco in Florence, Ancim – National Association of Small Islands, C.O.N.I. – Italian Olympic Committee, Italian Cinema Experimental Centre, Acquasmart srl, International University of Monaco, Schools of the Elba Island. Technical Sponsors: Aquaniene, Artemare, Michelangelo Gioielli and Marina Corazziari.
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info: aff@aquafilmfestival.org
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