We’re delighted to announce the winners from our International Film Competition, which this year received 1,600 submissions from over 100 countries.
The winners will be honoured at our annual awards ceremony on Tuesday 11 October at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow, where the Grand Jury Prize winner will be announced. Many of the winning filmmakers will attend the ceremony to accept their awards and present extracts from their inspiring films.
All the winning films will be screened at the CCA in the five days following the awards ceremony, with many receiving additional screenings during the festival. You can find full details of screenings here. See below for the full list of winners and screening details.
2016 INTERNATIONAL FILM COMPETITION AWARD WINNERS
BEST ANIMATION: LIMA
Afshin Roshanbahkt, Vahid Jafari | Iran | 2015
A gorgeous stop motion short about a son’s struggle to keep the memory of his father alive, with an evocative score by Icelandic composer Stein Thor.
Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh: Part of SMHAFF International Film Competition Award Winners, Thu 20 Oct, 7-9pm
Edinburgh Printmakers: Part of Good Grief, Sat 29 Oct, 7-8.30pm
CCA, Glasgow: Screening with I Wish I Was That Bird, Sun 16 Oct, 2.30-4.30pm
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY: ONE FOOT IN REALITY
Ramtin Nikzad | USA | 2016
A woman’s unflinching account of the devastating effects sexual abuse and schizophrenia have had on her life as a young girl and a mother.
CCA, Glasgow: Part of Women, Interrupted, Sat 15 Oct, 1-3pm
Features a Q&A with the film’s subject Virginia Linn
Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh: Part of SMHAFF International Film Competition Award Winners, Thu 20 Oct, 7-9pm
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY: A FAMILY AFFAIR
Tom Fassaert | Netherlands, Denmark | 2015
Riveting yet tender, a masterful exposure of disquieting secrets as the director confronts his 95-year-old grandmother with her actions and how they caused the family to unravel.
CCA, Glasgow: Sat 15 Oct, 7-9.30pm
Filmhouse, Edinburgh: Tue 18 Oct, 6-8.15pm
Both screenings include a Q&A with director Tom Fassaert and his father Rob, who appears in the film. Tom Fassaert will also host a Masterclass on personal filmmaking at Edinburgh College of Art on Tue 18 Oct.
BEST SHORT DRAMA: CRISIS
Ali Kareem Obaid | Iraq, Italy | 2015
A searing account of a man who is burdened by grief and post-traumatic stress after losing his wife to a suicide bomb in Baghdad.
CCA, Glasgow: Screening with #MyEscape, Wed 12 Oct, 6-8pm
Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh: Part of SMHAFF International Film Competition Award Winners, Thu 20 Oct, 7-9pm
Edinburgh Printmakers: Part of Good Grief, Sat 29 Oct, 7-8.30pm
BEST FEATURE DRAMA: DAVID
Jan Těšitel | Czech Republic | 2015
A stunning debut about a troubled young man who leaves the suffocating security of his family in a precarious search for independence, with a remarkable break-through performance by Patrik Holubar.
CCA, Glasgow: Sun 16 Oct, 8-10pm
Filmhouse, Edinburgh: Wed 19 Oct, 6-7.45pm
BEST YOUTH PROJECT: TALK IT OUT
St. Paul’s High School (Glasgow), Into Film | UK | 2015
A heart-warming drama written and directed by Glasgow students about challenging mental health stigma among their school peers.
CCA, Glasgow: Part of Youth Perspective, Sun 16 Oct, 1-2pm
Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh: Part of SMHAFF International Film Competition Award Winners, Thu 20 Oct, 7-9pm
EXPERIMENTAL AWARD: SHOULDER THE LION
Erinnisse Rebisz, Patryk Rebisz | USA, France, Ireland, Poland | 2015
An innovative and visually arresting documentary following three people who lost everything and used the power of art to reinvent their futures.
CCA, Glasgow: Wed 12 Oct, 8.30-10.15pm
Features a Q&A with directors Erinnisse Rebisz and Patryk Rebisz
Filmhouse, Edinburgh: Mon 24 Oct, 6-7.45pm
HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD: #MYESCAPE
Elke Sasse | Germany | 2016
A gripping documentary using footage shot by refugees on their mobile phones intercut with interviews that connect the outer journeys they went on with the ones that took place within.
CCA, Glasgow: Wed 12 Oct, 6-8pm
Features a Q&A with editor Janine Dauterich
ANTI-STIGMA AWARD: TRANSITION
Robert Cunningham | Ireland | 2016
A brave and honest documentary about a young transgender man from Ireland and his on-going struggle with dysphoria.
CCA, Glasgow: Screening with I Wish I Was That Bird, Sun 16 Oct, 2.30-4.30pm
Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh: Part of SMHAFF International Film Competition Award Winners, Thu 20 Oct, 7-9pm
VOICES OF EXPERIENCE AWARD (SPONSORED BY VOX SCOTLAND): I WISH I WAS THAT BIRD
Jeffrey Krolick | USA | 2015
A candid portrait of outsider artist James Condos, filmed over a period of three years, following him as he opens up about childhood trauma and seeks to find his place in the community.
CCA, Glasgow: Sun 16 Oct, 2.30-4.30pm
Features a Q&A with director Jeffrey Krolick and the film’s subject James Condos