20/03/2024 - Marek Bihuň’s project has nabbed two awards and Soňa G Lutherová won the Cineuropa Work in Progress Award, while Explanation for Everything and Veni Vidi Vici triumphed at the festival itself

l-r: Soňa G Lutherová and Nataša Ďuričová with their Cineuropa Work in Progress Award (© Robert Tappert)

The 31st edition of International Film Festival Febiofest, held in Bratislava from 13-19 March (see the news), recognised the finest feature-length and short films from the Visegrád Four (V4) countries, Austria and Ukraine within its In the Heart of Europe Competition. Additionally, the festival presented a number of industry awards that highlighted the best domestic works in progress. Festival president Peter Dubecký announced that Febiofest had secured a three-year grant, ensuring the festival's continuation into its fourth decade.

The gathering’s industry-focused segment, the ninth Bratislava Industry Days, highlighted ten domestic projects at various stages of production through its Work-in-Progress initiative, attracting international film professionals. The Cineuropa Work in Progress Award was bestowed upon Sláva, a documentary project by Soňa G Lutherová. Sláva is Lutherová's sophomore feature documentary, following the HBO Max co-production A Happy Man [+see also:
film review
interview: Soňa G Lutherová
film profile], which was presented at the 2021 Bratislava Industry Days (see the report). Lutherová focuses on Sláva Daubnerová, the acclaimed contemporary Slovak theatre actress who has made a successful transition to becoming an international opera director. The film aims to explore the myriad personal and professional challenges Daubnerová encounters within the fiercely competitive artistic landscape. During her presentation, Lutherová highlighted how Daubnerová has shattered several glass ceilings within the industry, and through her narrative, the documentary seeks to engage with broader existential questions that resonate universally, including the purpose of our lives and societal norms, with a particular emphasis on the roles and sacrifices women make in pursuit of success.

Marek Moučka's creative documentary Glorious Utopia, currently in pre-production, secured both the Best Febio Pitch Award and the Pop Up Film Residency Award. In his film, Moučka plans to delve into the lives of citizens and rulers of imaginary micro-states around the globe. By navigating through their tangible and intangible realms, they encounter real social phenomena, offering a unique perspective on utopian aspirations versus societal realities.

On the festival front, this year's juries reached a remarkable consensus, with members of both the international jury – including Roberto Cueto from the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Joshua Jádi from FilmFestival Cottbus and Marion Czarny from FIPADOC – and the Film Club jury aligning their accolades, albeit in a different order. Gábor Reisz's drama Explanation for Everything [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Reisz
film profile], co-produced by Slovak company MPhilms, clinched the main prize in the In the Heart of Europe Competition and was also honoured with a Special Mention by the Film Club jury.

“I am proud that our company, MPhilms, and therefore Slovakia, has become a co-producer of this exceptional film. Gábor Reisz critically yet empathetically depicts a fragmented Hungarian society. I am optimistic that we in Slovakia will steer clear of such societal division. It is somewhat ironic that the Slovak Audiovisual Fund was the sole supporter of this film, as it garnered no backing in Hungary,” MPhilms producer Mátyás Prikler stated upon accepting the award.

The Austrian film Veni Vidi Vici [+see also:
film review
interview: Daniel Hoesl, Julia Niemann
film profile], a satire crafted by Julia Niemann and Daniel Hoesl, seemed to particularly resonate with the Film Club jury, earning it their award, while the international jury granted it a Special Mention.

In the short-film category, Poland shone bright, with Emi Buchwald's black-and-white animated flick Echo, about two stuttering teenagers in speech therapy, securing the Best Short Film Award. Meanwhile, Mariusz Rusiński's short documentary Sister of Mine, exploring his sister's battle with substance abuse, was acknowledged with a Special Mention.

Here is the full list of award winners:

In the Heart of Europe Feature Film Competition

Best Film
Explanation for Everything [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Gábor Reisz
film profile] – Gábor Reisz (Hungary/Slovakia)
Special Mention
Veni Vidi Vici [+see also:
film review
interview: Daniel Hoesl, Julia Niemann
film profile] – Daniel Hoesl, Julia Niemann (Austria)

Film Club Award
Veni Vidi Vici - Daniel Hoesl, Julia Niemann
Special Mention
Explanation for Everything – Gábor Reisz

In the Heart of Europe Short Film Competition

Best Short Film
Echo - Emi Buchwald (Poland)
Special Mention
Sister of Mine - Mariusz Rusiński (Poland)

Bratislava Industry Days

Best Febio Pitch Award
Glorious Utopia - Marek Bihuň (Slovakia)

Cineuropa Work in Progress Award
Sláva - Soňa G Lutherová (Slovakia/Czech Republic)

Pop Up Film Residency Award
Glorious Utopia - Marek Bihuň