An accomplished and powerful film directed, written and edited by a young and compelling voice. The jury is convinced that this director will play a major role in international cinema in the near future and deliver on the promises contained in this surprising and remarkable work. For the rigorous crafting of a bleak description of a war that is about to happen and its compassionate approach to understanding the complexities of human nature, the International Feature Films Jury awards unanimously the Grand Prix to Maryna Er Gorbach’s Klondike.

The Award goes unanimously to Brighton 4th: A heartfelt portrait of exiles in ‘the land of the brave and the free’. A deadpan existential ‘comedie humaine’ and above all a subtle tour de force of cinematic prowess. Through the poetic nuances of careful cinematography and precise lensing, the director captures the longing, the loneliness and the melancholy of human beings stuck in a no man’s land.

This short film tackles a number of universal and important themes like the class struggle and the many difficulties faced by women, both past and present. With accuracy, courage and humour, political, physical and personal challenges are expressed through the intimate portrayal of complex women. The jury was impressed by the richness and topicality of the subjects covered during... the restroom discussions. Lunch Break strongly hints at the emergence of a powerful voice in cinema.