The international short film and animation festival PÖFF Shorts has announced the winners of its 2020 edition.

The three winning films now eligible for the short film Academy Award nomination are "Struck by Lighting" (dir. Esko Romet, Estonia 2020), "Precious" (dir. Paul Mas, France 2020) and "Between You and Milagros" (dir. Mariana Saffon, Colombia 2020).

The PÖFF Shorts European Film Academy candidate for the Best Short Film will be announced on Friday, November 27 at the Black Nights Film Festival closing ceremony.

PÖFF SHORTS NATIONAL COMPETITION
Presented by: High Voltage
Jury: Inga Diev, Fabian Driehorst, Sveta Grigorjeva

BEST SHORT FILM
"Struck by Lightning" (Estonia, 2020)
Director: Romet Esko (still photo on top)

Jury Commentary: "A beautifully crafted homage that mixes personal archive with a playful approach to its medium, making for a haunting and memorable film you will want to rewatch over and over again. This film tells a deeply personal, delicate yet dynamic story about friendship, conveying a message that is equally authentic as it is universal. “Struck by Lightning” is a cinematic celebration of life and creativity that feels ever so timely and needed."

JURY MENTION
"Room With A Sea View" (Estonia, 2020)
Director: Leonid Shmelkov

Jury Commentary: "Immersive storytelling at its best, "Room With a Sea View" is a multi-layered film about love in its purest form: raw and messy yet also humorous, honest and candid. A captivating treat that bursts with originality and creativity, the jury was impressed by the film's depth and capacity to reveal unexpected surprises upon further viewing."

PÖFF SHORTS ANIMATION COMPETITION
Jury: Agnés Bizzaro, Oskar Lehemaa, David Sproxton

BEST SHORT ANIMATION
Award 1000€ presented by Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF)
"Precious" (France, 2020)
Director: Paul Mas

Jury Commentary: "This film uses the artifice of animation in order to get painfully close to very real topics. The jury loved the simple style and precise storytelling which tackles complicated subjects that stay with the audience even after the credits roll."

JURY MENTION
"Souvenir" (France, 2020)
Director: Bastien Dubois

Jury Commentary: "The special mention goes to a film that uses an excellent combination of animation styles to lay out a story of war trauma, family conflict, and ultimately, the creative process. The jury felt that this animation tells more in 15 minutes than most films manage in 90."

BEST CHILDREN'S ANIMATION
"Matilda and the Sparehead" (Lithuania, 2020)
Director: Ignas Meilūnas

Jury Commentary: "A wonderful, in bright colours animated journey into the life of a child under pressure, on a path full of surprises to find her independency, and affirm her personality. An ironic and fresh tale about a strong girl, who finds the way to keep her head as free as it can be."

CHILDREN'S ANIMATION JURY MENTION
"Bench" (United Kingdom, 2020)
Director: Rich Webber

Jury Commentary: "A special mention goes to a film which has such a perfect timing, where the animation is at its best, so full of humor and emotion, and all this packed in a short form."

BEST STUDENT SHORT ANIMATION - NEW TALENTS: ANIMATION
Presented by: Estonian Academy of Arts
"I Am Here" (Poland, 2020)
Director: Julia Orlik

Jury Commentary: "With its minimalist approach this film delivers a powerful insight into the dynamics of a family during the last days of a woman’s life. The jury felt the boldness of the approach, with the subject literally front and centre, confronted the issues of love, loss and loneliness in a touching, sensitive and emotionally charged manner."

NEW TALENTS: ANIMATION JURY MENTION
"Black Sheep Boy" (France, 2019)
Director: James Molle

Jury Commentary: "A film which the jury felt had a fresh, energetic feel, albeit in a retro style, that dealt with the existential questions that beset us all as we find ourselves lost in the universe. It also made us laugh!"

PÖFF SHORTS LIVE ACTION COMPETITION
Jury: Jason Anderson, Jessie Mangum, Tambet Tuisk

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
Award 1000€ presented by Nafta Films
"Between You and Milagros” (Colombia, 2020)
Director: Mariana Saffon

Jury Commentary: “The jury was impressed by the film’s subtle exploration of the complex dynamic between daughter and mother, its stunning central performance and its gorgeous cinematography. The director also displays a remarkable level of craft, care and confidence as she gradually reveals the many layers that exist in all of the characters’ relationships."

JURY MENTION
"David" (United States, 2020)
Director: Zachary Woods

Jury Commentary: "In addition to boasting a trio of stellar and surprising performances, this comedy proves to be as insightful as it is funny."

BEST STUDENT SHORT FILM - NEW TALENTS: LIVE ACTION
Presented by TLÜ Baltic Film, Media, Arts and Communications School
"Anita” (United States, 2020)
Director: Sushma Khadepaun

Jury Commentary: “The jury was struck by the filmmaker’s boldness, intelligence and courage in portraying the gulf between a woman’s expectations of autonomy and agency, and the harsh restrictions that may still be imposed not just by her society but by the people in her most intimate relationships. The filmmaker achieves her ambitions through the film’s precise compositions, sensitive performances and escalating tensions.”

NEW TALENTS: LIVE-ACTION JURY MENTION
“Broken Roots” (Spain, 2019)
Director: Alberto Gross

Jury Commentary: “The jury is happy to acknowledge the film for the remarkable performances by its young actors and the empathy it expresses toward characters caught in a difficult moment that resonates strongly and widely."

The short film and animation festival PÖFF Shorts runs until November 25th. 
 
PÖFF Shorts website: http://shorts.poff.ee
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