Eyes Wide Open by the Israelian director Haim Tabakman wins the Grand Prize for the Best Film at the 36th Ghent International Film Festival. This was announced by the International Jury at the town hall of Ghent. Other awards went to Zion and his Brother (Best Script), A Rational Solution (Best Music) and the short film Amor by Thomas Wangsmo.
The International Jury this year : Chairman Niki Reiser (composer, Switserland), Filip Peeters (actor, Belgium ), WANG Quan’an (director, China) and Laszlo Nemes (director, Hungary).

THE AWARDS

Special Mention for MIN DIT-THE CHILDREN OF DIYARBAKIR

The Grand Prize for Best Film :

EYES WIDE OPEN (HAIM TABAKMAN) – Distributor Cineart

The prize has a value of 15.000 euro. It is given to the distributor for the release of the film in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium and Brussels (with a release in minimum 5 cinemas) + media campaign worth 6.000 euro.

The Jury: ‘An honest and compelling depiction of a forbidden relationship that authentically focuses on two men in love, in a story told with mastery, measure and humanity while echoing thoughts about the role of the individual.’


The Georges Delerue prize for Best Music :

NATHAN LARSON (A RATIONAL SOLUTION by Jörgen Bergmark) – no Belgian distributor

The prize has a value of 10.000 euro given to the distributor for the release of the film in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium and Brussels (with a release in minimum 5 cinemas) + media campaign worth 6.000 euro.

The Jury: ‘An example of intelligent and economical use of music and sound design, understanding the subject of the film while serving the story and the emotions of the actors in a subtle way…’


The SABAM prize for Best Script :

ERAN MERAV (ZION AND HIS BROTHER) – no Belgian distributor

The prize has a total value of 10.000 euro. It is given to the distributor for the release of the film in the Flemish speaking part of Belgium and Brussels (with a release in minimum 5 cinemas) + media campaign worth 6.000 euro.

The Jury: ‘A dynamic story about growing up in difficult circumstances, unfolding in an intense and natural way, stemming from genuine observation and precise analysis, and driven by complex characters.’

Best European Short Film :

AMOR van THOMAS WANGSMO

By winning, the film is nominated for the European Film Awards.

The winners of the Competition for the best Belgian and Flemish Short Films have already been announced. The National Lottery Award for Best Belgian Short was given to A Gentle Creature by Marc Roels. The ACE- Award for Best Flemish Student Short, was given to Helden van de harmonie, a documentary by Nele De Cat. The Port of Ghent and Canvas Audience Awards will be announced on Monday 19th of October.