We reveived messages from the Award Winners of SSFF & ASIA 2020!
Congratulations for the winners of George Lucas Award : Grand-Prix and official competition supported by Sony 2020! We reveived messages from the filmmakers here.
George Lucas Award （Grand-Prix）
Official Competition supported by Sony
International Category Best Short Award
『November 1st』
Director：Charlie Manton
Comments on Award Winning：
It’s such an honour to not only win the Best Int’l Short Film prize but also the Grand Prix. It means a huge amount to the team who worked tirelessly to make this film. I’m incredibly grateful to the incredible Lindsay Duncan and Sophia Myles for taking a gamble and doing this project. They really brought the film to life. I also want to thank the NFTS and Salaud Morisset for all their support!
This film, at the core, is about a mother and daughter. We explore how a tragic event many years ago has affected their relationship. The justice system in the US is a divisive issue with many flaws and we also see in the film the effects of going through that trying process.
Reason of the Selection：
This very powerful film made the viewer forget about the 25-minute length with very high production values in its story, direction, & casting. The characters were very real, full of humanity & their emotions were felt directly by the viewers. The feeling of foreboding & the course of the story were very well done & wonderful.
Filmmakers or films that have inspired your work：
For this film I was inspired by Cary Fukunaga, The Coen Brothers, Jeff Nichols. I think they’re all masters at their craft and direct compelling films with complex characters at their heart.
Official Competition supported by Sony
Asia International Category Best Short Award
『After Class』
Director：Charles Xiuzhi Dong
Comments on Award Winning：
I am extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award. This is way beyond my expectations. Making this film was not easy and it’s been a long journey getting to this point. Receiving the recognition for all the hard work you put was definitely well worth the effort, so I thank the Short Shorts jury for that. I want to take this chance to thank my amazing cast and crew, especially my cinematographer Stefan Nachmann, composer Alex Symcox, production designer Mike Hui, and my amazing producer Branton Choi. This award truly belongs to everyone who worked on “After Class.”
This film is based on a social scandal in China from a few years ago. People would intentionally get hit by a car just to scam the driver’s money. That really shocked me, which made me write a script in one of my screenwriting class. I never could have imagined that reading this random article online would lead to this moment. As we are currently going through the festival circuit, I hope more people from around the world can see and enjoy the film.
Reason of the Selection：
This film brilliantly depicted in short film form the tragedy that stems from the state of national identity & social class disparity that is occurring in current China.
Filmmakers or films that have inspired your work：
My first love in cinema was watching Giuseppe Tornatore’s “Cinema Paradiso.” It moved me to my core. From that moment, all I wanted to do was make movies. Martin Scorsese also inspired my work. His way of elevating true stories in a dramatic, cinematic fashion is what I try to emulate with all my films. In the short film world, I really admire Celine Held and Logan George’s work, namely “Caroline” and “Mouse.” They are among the best at telling a simple but effective story in a short amount of time.
Official Competition supported by Sony
Japan Category Best Short Award
『Birdland』
Director：Takeshi Kogahara
Comments on Award Winning：
I am very happy to have won this award. I would like to give my sincere thanks to the crew, cast & all who were involved in this film. To have my film screened & to have it received so well in this difficult time, I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone at the film festival & all the jurors. With each film I make, I am full of doubt & wonder what makes a good film. I will strive to make my films better with these thoughts in mind as I continue into the future. Thank you very much.
The story idea for this film came from conversations with my bed-ridden grandmother. As I went to various care & rehabilitation centers & nursing homes in preparation for this film I came to realize that there are many different endings to life. The main character in this film exists everywhere. It may not be a feel-good movie but if you feel something after watching it, then you might come to a realization. My wish is that this is that kind of film.
Reason of the Selection：
This was a film that confidently took on the theme of care for the elderly straight on. A great cast & script with beautiful cinematography really stood out.
Filmmakers or films that have inspired your work:
Wim Wenders’ “Paris Texas,” Lee Chang-dong’s “Poetry.” Lately Michel Franco’s films are the films I like & admire.