See Filmminute winner A Share of a Share

October saw Filminute give onine audiences the opportunity to see a varied selection of short films that had one thing in common – each was a one minute and under. Taking in a number of genres, styles and filmmakers at different points in their careers, each film showed just what can be achieved in a small amount of time.

The Best Filmminute went to Iranian filmmaker Kaveh Jahed who won for his tense and austere, refugee camp drama A Share of a Share which was praised by the 2017 jury for its deft performances and emotional punch.

“I wish for wars to stop happening and for people not to be forced to run away from their homes and countries,” said the director in his thank you and acceptance of the award.

The film is here:

The 2017 9-member international jury was made up of: rising Ghanian / American director, Priscilla Anany; Santa Maddalena Foundation president, Baronessa Beatrice Monti; FIPRESCI film critic, Dana Duma; Advertising Executive, Steve Clay; Filminute 2016 Best Filminute Winner, Rohin Raveendran; CineCoup Executive Directors J.Joly & Brian Wideen; and Filminute co-founders John Ketchum (Head of Jury) and Sabaa Quao. Together, and in addition to Best Filminute, they awarded 5 Jury Commendations to: Goat (Turkey); Orlie (Philippines); Moment (Iran); Indigo (Spain); and Stealthy Freedom (Iran). 

On the audience side, American filmmaker Jin Ryu’s film Megan received the most online votes to take the People’s Choice Award. The uplifting, beautifully shot documentary about a breast cancer survivor touched many in the audience who took courage from this graceful fighter.

Rounding out the big three awards was this year’s Top Rated Film, won by Colombian director Carlos Andres Reyes for Comic Relief. His moving character study peeks in on a clown who has just received some decidedly unfunny news.

This year the Cineuropa Audience Award was won by the poignant and moving I Promise. Look for an interview with the director over the coming days.