25/06/2015 - Hanna Polak’s documentary Something Better to Come and Janusz Gajos’ performance in Malgorzata Szumowska’s Body, also awarded

Japanese director Naomi Kawase’s An [+see also:
trailer
film profile], co-produced by Japan, France and Germany, won Best Film at the first edition of the Valletta Film Festival (VFF), which was held between 15 and 21 June 2015. In her acceptance speech, transmitted from Japan, Kawase thanked the jury for the award and stated that the film is a very simple story going through the Japanese four seasons, with three generations of actors growing and learning from their interactions. “From the idea of crossing the borders, showing empathy to people around, I thought that it would give a warm feeling to the audience,” she added. 

Brazil’s Anna Muyleart, director of The Second Mother, won the Best Director Award. The documentary Something Better to Come [+see also:
trailer
film profile], directed by Hannah Polak, won the Best Documentary Award. “The recognition that this story had affected so many people was a sign of hope that there was something better to come for the residents of the svalka,” said Polak while receiving the award.

The Award for Best Actress went to Kirin Kiki for her role as Tokue in An, whilst Polish actor Janusz Gajos won Best Actor for his role in Malgorzata Szumowska’s Body [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Malgorzata Szumowska
interview: Malgorzata Szumowska
film profile]. 

The Best Screenplay Award went to Carolina Hellsgard for her film Wanja, which she also directed. Best Cinematography went to Luis Armanda Arteaga for his elemental imagery in Jayro Bustamante’s Ixcanul Volcano [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Jayro Bustamante
film profile].

Filmmaker Roland Joffé chaired the international jury, which included actors Amber Rose Revah, Nahuel Perez Biscayart, Laura Kpegli and the director of the Cork Film Festival, James Mulligan. The festival was attended by more than 5,000 people and boasted films from Brazil, Japan, China and Scandinavian countries amongst many others.