Editor

The new international generation of young documentary filmmakers is being honoured this evening at DOK Leipzig: The International Jury (Don Edkins, Day Zero Film Production, South Africa; Boris Karadshew, VGIK/ Moscow, Russia; and Sigrid Dyekjær of Tju Bang Film in Denmark) are presenting the "Talent Dove" (endowed with €10,000) and two honorary mentions. 18 films from 13 countries were nominated for the Young Talent Competition, and over half of them were by young women directors. And the three young directors that are being honoured tonight are also all women directors:

The "Talent Dove" goes to: Nanna Frank Møller for SOMEONE LIKE YOU (Denmark 2007). The film of the 1972-born filmmaker deals with the relationship between two sisters at a critical point in their lives. "We see dramatic scenes unfold in front of the camera which reveal their personalities in a touching and poetic way. The director shows a combination of real interest in human psychology together with serious artistic intentions and professional craftsmanship", so says the International Jury.

Honorary Mentions go to:

COAL DUST (Ugolnaja Pyl) by Maria Miro, Russian Federation The International Jury:
"In this film a young director is using expressive images to construct a metaphorical picture that illustrates the life and destiny of a community facing social and economical problems. The story is being told in a cinematographic way, with different instruments, from photography to sound design."

and

ONE DAY by Ditte Haarløv Johnsen
The International Jury:
"The film tells the story of an African woman prostituting herself in Europe. The director courageously uses an original style, with precise close ups, stressing small details of the protagonist’s everyday life, thus revealing the situation she is caught up in."


The Award Ceremony (8pm at CineStar 8) is hosted by Weng Holster and Susanne Schulz and leads to the traditional night of the young film" with music, discussions and films by upcoming talents. The "Talent Dove" film award, worth 10,000 euros, has been presented annually since 2004 by the Media Foundation of the Sparkasse Leipzig for an outstanding documentary film by a young filmmaker. The prize money is intended for a start-up financing for the next film project of the award winner. At this, the 50th Festival, the commitment of the Media Foundation of the Sparkasse Leipzig to forward-looking innovation is proving to be even more accentuated. The establishment of a Young Filmmakers’ Competition for international documentary films enables the "Talent Dove" to support and sponsor new signatures and highly talented young filmmakers in a more targeted manner in future.