The Selfish Giant by Clio Barnard wins Grand Prix for Best Film at the 40th Film Fest Gent!

This year’s international jury consisted of president István Szabó (director, Hungary), Fien Troch (director, Belgium), John Parish (musician, United Kingdom), Gustavo Santaolalla (composer, Argentina) and Denis Dercourt (director, France).

THE RESULTS

The Grand Prix for Best Film

THE SELFISH GIANT
directed by Clio Barnard – United Kingdom, 2013 – Distributed by Cinéart

This award, with a total value of €43,000, comprises a cash distribution grant of €20,000 to support the release of the film in Flanders and Brussels (in a minimum of 5 cinemas) and a media return calculated at €23,000.

Motivation of the jury: “This film was chosen for its film quality, human emotion, exquisite cast and remarkable use of music and sound design.”

The Georges Delerue Prize for Best Music

A TOUCH OF SIN
directed by Jia Zhangke – China, 2013 – Distributed by Cinéart

This award, with a total value of €25,000, comprises a cash distribution grant of €10,000 to support the release of the film in Flanders and Brussels (in a minimum of 5 cinemas) and a media return calculated at €15,000.

Motivation of the jury: “This film was chosen for its carefully selected soundtrack and the combination of traditional and contemporary music.”

Special mention

THE MISSING PICTURE
directed by Rithy Panh – France – Cambodia 2013 – Distributed by Remain in Light / De Filmfreak Distributie

Motivation of the jury: “This is a striking combination of tableaux with clay figurines and archive images which blend into an important and original timepiece.”

HARMONY LESSONS
directed by Emir Baigazin – Poland – Kazakhstan – Germany – France, 2013

Motivation of the jury: “Harmony Lessons features a clear and simple way of storytelling”

Prize for Best European Short Film

WHALE VALLEY
directed by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson (Denmark - Iceland, 2013)

This film is automatically nominated for the Best European Short Film Award at the 2014 European Film Awards.

National Lottery Prize for Best Belgian Student Short Film

ZINNEKE
directed by Rémi Allier (Belgium, 2013)

This short film was selected by a professional jury consisting of actress Chris Lomme, actor Titus De Voogdt, film maker Stephan Streker, film maker and animator Raoul Servais, director of Wallimage and Bruxellimage Philippe Reynaert, screenwriter Bram Renders, administrative director of Euroscoop Chantal Krakowski and producer Ellen De Waele.

“This was the one film that scored on all points: a powerful and exciting storyline, great acting and believable dialogues. But what really took it to another level was the camera work. The film was exciting, touching and at times really funny”.

The winner was awarded the National Lottery Prize for Best Belgian Short Film by a Student, with a value of €2,000.

An honourable mention went to 'Het lijden van de jonge Wagner' by Thomas Huyghe.

The jury was impressed with the originality and clever humour Thomas incorporated into his short film.

ACE Image Factory Audience Award for Best Belgian Student Short Film

THE WAY OF ALL FLESH
by Deben Van Dam (Belgium, 2013)

The award consists of a grading session worth €6,000 at ACE Image Factory, an audio-visual post-production company, for the director’s next film project.

The winners of the Port of Ghent Public Choice Award and the Canvas Audience Award will be announced on Monday 21 October.

Winners at the festival:

THE SELFISH GIANT: 16/10 - 17u30 - Kinepolis - in de Belgische bioscopen vanaf 15/01/2014
A TOUCH OF SIN: 17/10 - 22u30 - Kinepolis - in de Belgische bioscopen vanaf 11/12/2013
HARMONY LESSONS: 17/10 - 14u30 - Kinepolis
WHALE VALLEY: 18/10 - 14u30 - Kinepolis (European Shorts)