AWARDS OF THE 68TH PULA FILM FESTIVAL

Croatian Programme
Once We Were Good For You, directed by Branko Schmidt
Manhattan Odyssey, directed by Mario Vrbančić
Murina, directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović
A Blue Flower, directed by Zrinko Ogresta
Tune Up, directed by Stanislav Tomić
The Dawn, directed by Dalibor Matanić.

International Programme
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn, directed by Radu Jude
Games People Play, directed by Jenni Toivoniemi
Why Not you, directed by Evi Romen
South Wind 2 – Speed Up, directed by Miloš Avramović
The Campaign, directed by Marian Crisan
Fox in a Hole, directed by Arman T. Riahi
My Lake, directed by Gjergj Xhuvani
Thou Shal Not Hate, directed by Mauro Mancini
Nowhere Special, directed by Uberto Pasolini
Limbo, directed by Ben Sharrock.

JURY DECISIONS

AWARDS OF THE CRITICS JURY

Critics Jury: Magdalena Miedl, Nenad Polimac, Mihai Fulger

The award for Best Film in the Croatian Programme is awarded to the film A Blue Flower directed by Zrinko Ogresta.

The award for Best Film in the International Programme is awarded to the film Limbo directed by Ben Sharrock.

AWARDS OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME JURY

International Programme Jury: Ben Hopkins, Lana Barić, Rada Šešić

1.Golden Arena for Best Croatian Contribution to a Minority Co-Production is awarded to Ankica Jurić Tilić for the film Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn directed by Radu Jude.

The Golden Arena for Best Croatian Contribution to a Minority Co-Production goes to a passionate film professional who always recognizes a good project, and who helps raise the profile of Croatian film on the world stage.

2. Golden Arena for Best Croatian Minority Co-Production is awarded to the film Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn directed by Radu Jude.

An original and unusual film, which continuously surprises us with its ideas, both intellectually serious and hilariously funny, the Golden Arena for Best Minority Co-Production goes to Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn.

3. Special Mention is presented to the director Jenni Toivoniemi for the film Games People Play.

The jury would like to give the Special Mention to the writer/director of a film that brings together a sizeable and highly talented cast to one location, and within a limited space, creates a drama which is both revelatory and entertaining. The Special Mention goes to Jenni Toivoniemi.

4. Golden Arena for Best Film is presented to the film Nowhere Special directed by Uberto Pasolini.

A film that tackles a very difficult subject with gentle sensitivity, soliciting incredible performances from all its performers. Without manipulation, it moved us deeply, and stayed with us long after the closing credits. The Golden Arena for Best film goes to Nowhere Special.

AUDIENCE AWARD

Voting for a film in the International Programme, the audience awards the Diploma to the film Nowhere Special directed by Uberto Pasolini, produced by Picomedia, Digital Cube and NSL with RAI Cinema, which received the average score of 4.86

The Croatian Audiovisual Centre would like to present special recognition to the crew of South Wind 2 – Speed Up in appreciation of the joint development of co-productions and the audience.

AWARDS OF THE CROATIAN PROGRAMME JURY

Jury members: Paweł Pawlikowski (president), Zrinka Cvitešić, Danilo Šerbedžija, Mirko Pivčević and Mimi Plauché

1. Golden Arena for Best Sound Design is awarded to Mirko Perri and Julij Zornik for the film The Dawn directed by Dalibor Matanić.

For a great contribution to the atmosphere. The outstandingly incorporated sound gives a powerful audiovisual experience with the cinematography.

2. Golden Arena for Best Music is awarded to Alen Sinkauz and Nenad Sinkauz for the film The Dawn directed by Dalibor Matanić.

 For the original and inventive score that enhances the photography, atmosphere, and mystical tone of the film.

3. Golden Arena for Best Supporting Actress is awarded to Danica Ćurčić for the role of Nela in the film Murina directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović.

 For her portrayal of a woman torn between her duties and dreams, between ‘duties’ and ‘wants’, between what she ‘has’ and what she ‘needs’.

4. Breza Award for Best Debutant is awarded to screenwriter and director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović for the film Murina.

For the mature telling of a difficult family story and the conflict of real life and the one of dreams.

5. Golden Arena for Best Editing is awarded to Tomislav Pavlic for the film The Dawn directed by Dalibor Matanić.

For the unassuming rhythm of the cuts which create a sense of wonder and looming threat.

6. Golden Arena for Best Cinematography is awarded to Marko Brdar for the film The Dawn directed by Dalibor Matanić.

For the powerful atmosphere that Brdar brings to the edge of the visible and uses in a controlled way both in the interiors and the exteriors.

7.Golden Arena for Best Actor is awarded to Rene Bitorajac for the role of Dinko in the film Once We Were Good for You directed by Branko Schmidt.

For his bravura portrayal of a hero rejected by society and family.

8.Golden Arena for Best Actress is awarded to Vanja Ćirić for the role of Mirjana in the film A Blue Flower directed by Zrinko Ogresta.

For a restrained and truthful portrayal of a woman trapped in everyday life devoid of personal pleasure.

9.Golden Arena for Best Screenplay is awarded to Sandra Antolić, Ognjen Sviličić and Branko Schmidt for the film Once We Were Good for You directed by Branko Schmidt.

It deals with the topical issues of today, and has a powerful protagonist, a plethora of rich and original characters, as well as several powerful and vibrant conversations.

10.Golden Arena for Best Director is awarded to Zrinko Ogresta for the film A Blue Flower.

 The unassuming work of the director provides the feeling of the story developing on its own. He managed to touch us without big dramatic effects.

11.Grand Golden Arena for Best Festival Film is awarded to the film A Blue Flower directed by Zrinko Ogresta, produced by Inter film, producer Ivan Maloča.

There are words left unspoken, emotions let unshared, and an emptiness left by those who leave us.

Zagrebačka banka presents the award in the amount of 30,000 HRK to Zrinko Ogresta, director of A Blue Flower, which the jury of the 68th Pula Film Festival has awarded the Grand Golden Arena for Best Festival Film.

Teleking presents the producer of the film A Blue Flower Ivan Maloča with a post-production package of picture and sound processing in the amount of 10,000.00 Euro.

GOLDEN GATE OF PULA AUDIENCE AWARD

Voting for a film in the Croatian Programme, the audience awards the Golden Gate of Pula to the film Murina directed by Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović, produced by Antitalent and RT Features, which received the average score of 4.55.

In Pula, 23 July 2021

68th Pula Film Festival