The closing ceremony of the International Film and Music Festival Kustendorf 2011 began with a performance from the Valjevo folk dance ensemble, “St. Gregory” whose show, collection of songs and dances from Serbia, thrilled the audience who greeted them with an amazing applause. The official portion of the program began with the awarding the student the specially designed diplomas that serve as a symbol for remembering their stay at Kustendorf. The announcer, Milena Predic, called the founder of the festival, Emir Kusturica, up on stage to hand the awards to the students. While the students, smiled, took photos, and greeted Kusturica, the atmosphere in the audience was heating up.
Dubravka Lakic, the president of the jury, film critics, and accredited journalists of the festival, got on stage, stating that for the delicate approach to an important topic, for humanity, and for director and actor consistency, the PRESS AWARD is given to the Lebanese-American creation, The Fifth Column, from the director, Vatche Boulghourjian.
After the press award was given, the newly instituted Vilko FilaÄ Award for best cinematography was given to the Swedish movie, Quan, and the work of the cameraman Johann Holmquist with the justification that the movie in question is a good combination of bright and strong colors, with high contrast, and that the expressions on the young boy’s face are beautifully shot.
Greeted by an overwhelming applause, the smiling a well-spirited president of the jury, Vincent Maraval, pointed out that the jury doesn't hide its pleasure for having the opportunity to see these excellent movies over the past seven festival days; but that, unfortunately, only three young authors will be rewarded.
The third place Kustendorf 2011 award, the Bronze Egg, belonged to the movie Golden League from the Serbian director, Ognjen Isailovic, with the justification that the jury recognized the very good structure of this film and gives credit to the director for a skilled narrative.
The award for second place, the Silver Egg, was given to the Polish film, Tomorrow I’ll be Gone, from the author Julia Kolberger. The jury recognized this film for its high technical quality, control, and majesty of the direction.
The winner of the festival in a competition of 20 films from 13 countries was the 2010 Russian film, The Chance, from the director, Sonya Karpunina. The president of the jury, Vincent Maraval, gave Karpunina the Golden Egg award, and the award justified in the following way,
- The jury recognizes this film’s original and effective narrative style; a film that’s filled with life and energy.
The awarded author, not hiding her thrill, thanked the jury and all those present for the award saying,
- I would like to thank the jury, but I would primarily like to thank the Kusturica family. In other words, all those who are on that team, in that big family. Thank you and thank you for making my stay unforgettable.
After the awards ceremony, the winning film was shown and the night was ended with a performance from the jazz group, Unit 5.
The Kustendorf awards – the Gold, Silver, and Bronze Eggs – were the work of the artist, Vladimir Kravchenko; and the originally knit diplomas are the hand work of the artist Radenka Jungic from the R Gallery in Banja Luka.
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