16 Nov 2025 On the Screen (MD 2025/4)

Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic) 2025

At the 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (July 4-12, 2025), the Ecumenical Jury, appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, awarded its Prize to Rebuilding directed by Max Walker-Silverman (USA, 2025).

Motivation: A quiet, divorced Colorado rancher who lost everything in a wildfire is relocated to an emergency relief camp with other displaced survivors. As these strangers come to know one another, each rediscovers hope through the creation of friendships and family bonds. With a delicate touch, the director explores themes of community, the blended family, profound human generosity, selflessness, and cooperation. This austere and visually striking film is a beautiful, life-affirming story that offers hope in the face of hardship, both personal and environmental.

In addition, the jury awarded a Commendation to Cinema Jazireh directed by Gözde Kural (Turkey, Iran, Bulgaria, Romania, 2024).

Motivation: A mother, having survived her family’s massacre under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, disguises herself as a man to locate her missing son. The film, with its gritty cinematography and nuanced editing, deftly places contemporary global issues within the context of Leila’s journey, such as war, oppression of women and the marginalized, gender, sex trafficking, and child abuse. The film is a testament to hope, resistance to tyranny, and the power of profoundly human networks working together. Cinema Jazireh has the exceptional potential to make the audience care about what is happening in the world.

Members of the 2025 Jury: Achim Forst (Germany, Jury President); Rose Pacatte (USA); Ida Tenglerová (Czech Republic).

Locarno (Switzerland) 2025

The Ecumenical Jury at Locarno 2025 awarded its Prize to the film Solomamma (still above) directed by Janicke Askevold (Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, 2025).

The film raises important ethical questions about origin, identity and belonging: Who is the author of life? What is the miracle of conception and birth when we think about life in medical-technical paradigms? What is the source and responsibility of a new life and the uncontrollable consequences of such a choice? Can a “Solomamma” take responsibility for her decisions and respect freedom, her own, her child’s and the donor’s? This film questions us about the conditions for living independently while remaining connected to others.

In addition, the jury awarded a Commendation to the film Le Lac directed by Fabrice Aragno (Switzerland, 2025).

Le Lac shows us a couple who do not shy away from mourning, but struggle with it. Grief has left them speechless, but even without words they experience a deep understanding of each other because they consciously confront their pain. With their sailing boat, they battle the elements and literally face the storm by sailing right into it. Wind and weather bring them to the boundary between life and death.

Members of the 2025 Jury: Ileana Bîrsan, Romania; Philippe Cabrol, France; Roland Kauffmann, France; Melanie Pollmeier, Switzerland (President of the Jury).

Venice (Italy) 2025

The 14th INTERFILM Award for Promoting Interreligious Dialogue at Venice 2025 for a film of high aesthetic and artistic quality went to Silent Friend directed by Ildikó Enyedi (Germany, France, Hungary, 2025).

The film reawakens our wonder of the world by opening the doors of perception and giving us back a sense of childlike curiosity. A triptych unfolds onto the interconnections and ramifications of life. Silent Friend is a poetic rendition of the union of science and spirituality.

Members of the 2025 Jury: Dirk von Jutrczenka, Germany (President of the Jury); Leonardo Noam Ribet Griot, Italy; SB Rodriguez Plate, USA; Edna Rodriguez Plate, USA; Anita Uzulniece, Latvia.

Warsaw (Poland) 2025

At the 41st Film Festival (10-19 October 2025) the 16th Ecumenical Jury appointed by INTERFILM and SIGNIS, awarded its Prize to the film Brother (Brat) directed by Maciej Sobieszczański (Poland, Czech Republic, 2025).

Motivation: Fourteen-year-old Dawid lives with his nine-year-old brother and mother in a run-down apartment building. Their father is in prison for burglary and theft, but the younger brother doesn’t want to know anything about that. He idealizes his father and can’t stand his mother’s new companion. Torn between his father’s rigid instructions and his love for his mother and brother, Dawid tries to find his own way in life. With many close-ups and a moving handheld camera, the film lets us participate in David’s struggle for a place in life, with the likeable lead actor giving a thoroughly convincing performance. A moving film about family cohesion, brotherly love, and the value of forgiveness, which shows to a young generation perspectives for the future.

In addition, the Jury awarded a Commendation to the film Nino (still below) directed by Pauline Loquès (France, 2025).

Motivation: Nino, who has just turned 29, learns rather by chance during an examination that he has cancer and needs urgent treatment. He has three days over the weekend to prepare himself and find someone to accompany him to his first chemotherapy session. The director’s debut feature film captivates viewers with its Canadian lead actor Théodore Pellerin and its observational style of filmmaking. On his three-day journey through the anonymous cityscapes of Paris, oscillating between silent despair and stoic composure, Nino encounters many people who have their own destinies to bear and, like Nino, are hardly able to communicate. A film carried by compassion and great humanity, it shows that there are also true friends, tenderness, and mutual understanding.