22/09/2016 - SAN SEBASTIÁN 2016: Films in Progress 30 and the fifth Europe-Latin American Co-Production Forum present their accolades for Argentine projects or those co-produced by Argentine filmmakers

The award winners, at The Industry Club (© Lorenzo Pascasio)

The events for film-industry professionals held under the auspices of The Industry Club, the professionals’ arm of the 64th San Sebastián International Film Festival, drew to a close on Wednesday 21 September after three packed days, as prizes were awarded to the participating projects. The final decisions of both the Fifth Europe-Latin American Co-Production Forum and Films in Progress 30 were announced — and Argentina stole the show.

Among those selected for Films in Progress 30, the programme established by the festival in collaboration with Cinélatino Rencontres de Toulouse in order to provide financial assistance for Latin American films in post-production, the Industry Award went to Rey’s Education [+see also:
trailer
film profile], the debut film from Argentine director Santiago Esteves. In his first venture beyond the realm of the short film, Esteves tells the story of a teenage boy, aka “Rey”, who, fleeing from his initiation as a criminal, crashes into the front yard of a retired security guard. The man offers him a deal: if Rey makes good the damage he has caused to the house, he won’t turn him in to the police. The prize consists of the chance to tap into the expertise of Daniel Goldstein, Deluxe Spain, Dolby Iberia, Laserfilm Cine and Video, Nephilim Producciones, No Problem Sonido and Wanda Visión, who will take on the post-production of the film and create a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) with English subtitles, as well as overseeing its distribution in Spain. In addition, Rey’s education also scooped the CACI/Ibermedia TV Award, aimed at supporting the diffusion of Ibero-American films on public television.

Meanwhile, in the Fifth Europe-Latin American Co-Production Forum, the Best Project Award (€10,000 for the majority producer) was bagged by 7.35 am, the new film from Javier van de Couter (also from Argentina). Co-written by Anahí Berneri, the film is based on the story of the teenage perpetrator of the 2004 Carmen de Patagones school shooting in Argentina, which left three of his classmates dead, exploring the potential consequences of this savage act on everyone around him. A Home, an Italian-Argentinian production directed by Maura Delpero, was given a special mention, as well as the Arte International Prize, awarded for the first time in San Sebastián. Once again, the Co-Production Forum’s strategic partnership with the Cannes Producers Network and Ventana Sur added some European offerings to the mix: A Home, again; Two degrees from Autumn, by Spanish filmmaker Patricio Suárez; Azor, from Switzerland’s Andreas Fontana; and La Civil, directed by Teodora Ana Mihai (Romania).

Finally, the EFAD-CACI Europe-Latin America Co-Production Grant, introduced this year (read more here) was awarded to Malambo King, directed by Spain’s Juan Pablo Félix - a co-production between Argentina, Spain and France centred around two sisters who receive an unexpected visit from their father, who has spent the last seven years behind bars.

Films in Progress 30

Industry Award
Rey’s Education [+see also:
trailer
film profile] – Santiago Esteves (Argentina)

CACI/Ibermedia TV Award
Rey’s education – Santiago Esteves (Argentina)

Fifth Europe-Latin American Co-Production Forum

Best Project Award
7.35 am – Javier van de Couter (Argentina)
Special Mention
A Home – Maura Delpero (Italy/Argentina)

EFAD-CACI Europe-Latin America Co-Production Grant
Malambo King – Juan Pablo Félix (Argentina/Spain/France)

ARTE International Prize
A Home – Maura Delpero

(Translated from Spanish)