- The short film by British filmmaker Luís Hindman tops an awards list that also recognises emerging and local talent
The short film «Majid/Zafar», by Luís Hindman (United Kingdom), has won the Best Film award at the 52nd edition of the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival. The film, which has received awards at the British Independent Film Awards and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, portrays the growing tension in a British Pakistani takeaway over the course of 19 minutes. The jury highlighted «the quality of the production, the strength of its performances and the skill with which it builds an intimate love story shaped by cultural expectations and obligations. The short film invites audiences to reflect on queer identity, love and the price of giving up part of oneself to meet cultural and social expectations».
This year’s awards recognise international, national and local productions, as well as the talent of professionals working across different areas of the audiovisual industry.
In the animation category, the award went to «El cuerpo de Cristo», by Bea Lema (Spain), while the award for Best Documentary went to «52 Is a Machine», by Gregorio Sassoli and Alejandro Cifuentes (Italy).
Among the regional awards, «Sota el sol», by Marc Riba and Anna Solanas, was named Best Catalan Production. The award for Best Spanish Production went to «Lo que fuiste», by Iván Ladeiras, while «Intersecting Memory», by Shayma’ Awawdeh (France), won Best European Production. Recognising local talent, the award for Best Badalona Production went to «Els colors de l’Iris», by Helena Catalán, Paula Fernández and Duna Sánchez.
The award for Best Director went to Sepehr Nosrati for the short film «175» (Sweden), while Pranav Bhasin won Best Screenplay for «We Were Here» (India).
In the acting categories, Mohamed Mamdouh won Best Actor for «32B» (Egypt), while Samanta Brández was named Best Actress for her performance in «Cinco paredes» (Spain).
The APSA Award for Best Sound went to «Son Seul», by Théo Vincent Suzzoni (France), while the award for Best Original Music went to Amina Mezaache for «Baião d’Intérieurs» (France). The AMMAC Award for Best Editing went to the Catalan production «La bòbila», by Núria Tolós.
The La Vanguardia Audience Award went to «Stigma», by Maria González and Victor Molini (Catalonia).
Recognising emerging talent
The PAC Award for Best Emerging Producer went to Bungalow Studio, by Miguel Aguirre and Paula Bayó, for producing the short film «Aitä» (Catalonia). The jury for this award also granted special mentions to Gerard Guilló, producer of «Ningú borda» by ESCAC Films, and Ramon Carol and Toni O. Prats, from Karkön Productions, for «La casa de la bruixa».
Miguel Ángel Muñoz receives the Venus d’Honor
The festival has awarded the second Venus d’Honor of this edition to actor and director Miguel Ángel Muñoz, in recognition of his more than 30-year career in film, television and theatre. Muñoz recalled the beginnings of his career, which evolved from a hobby into a vocation. However, he stressed that “life is much more important than work, and sharing is much more important than seeing yourself on a screen.” He dedicated the award to four people close to him who have recently passed away: his “tata”, his uncle, his mother and a friend, Pepe Casanova.
For her part, Rosa del Amo, the third deputy mayor of Badalona City Council, thanked Muñoz for “not only coming to collect the award, but also taking the time to enjoy the city” and meet the residents of Badalona who wanted to have their photograph taken with him.
The other Venus d’Honor was awarded to the Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya (ESCAC), which received the award during the festival’s opening session.
The awards were presented during La Nit de les Venus, the closing gala of the 52nd edition of the FILMETS Badalona Film Festival, held at the Teatre Zorrilla in Badalona and broadcast live on Televisió de Badalona and the La Xarxa+ platform. The gala was hosted by journalists Josep Palau and Laia Martínez and produced by Tandem Projects. It also featured performances by the Castellers de Badalona and impersonator Xavi Espinosa.
