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VENICE 2020 International Film Critics’ Week / Awards

Ghosts and Bad Roads come out on top in Venice’s International Film Critics’ Week

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- VENICE 2020: The features, both produced or co-produced in Europe, took home the Grand Prize and the Verona Film Club Award, respectively

Ghosts and Bad Roads come out on top in Venice’s International Film Critics’ Week
Director Azra Deniz Okyay with her International Film Critics’ Week Grand Prize for Ghosts (© Settimana Internazionale della Critica)

At an unusual but highly successful Venice Film Festival this year, it’s finally prize-giving time. The International Film Critics’ Week, run by the National Union of Italian Film Critics, has announced the awards of its 35th edition. The international jury, composed of Wendy Mitchell, Eugenio Renzi and Jay Weissberg, gave the Grand Prize of €5,000 (made possible by Taranto Town Hall) to Ghosts [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
, the debut by Turkish filmmaker Azra Deniz Okyay. The jury said it was “a vivid portrayal of the tensions currently tearing apart Turkish society; the film boldly explores the intersection of public and private anxiety”.

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The Verona Film Club Award, decided upon by a jury made up of members of the Verona Film Club aged under 35, went to Bad Roads [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Natalya Vorozhbit
film profile
]
by Natalya Vorozhbit from Ukraine, another debut feature. The jury stated in its motivation: “On the stage of a conflict that becomes a universal condition, evil in all of its devious and brutal shades unfolds.”

General Delegate Giona A Nazzaro said the following inspiring words to sum up proceedings: “The 77th Venice International Film Festival is already an historic edition. An edition that marks the return to life. The Venice International Film Critics’ Week participates in this renewal of hope in the future with an exceptional set of awards, completely in the framework of femininity and diversity. [...] We couldn’t have hoped for a better new beginning.”

Here are all of the awards granted in full:

International Film Critics’ Week Grand Prize
Ghosts [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile
]
- Azra Deniz Okyay (Turkey/France/Qatar)

Verona Film Club Award
Bad Roads [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Natalya Vorozhbit
film profile
]
- Natalya Vorozhbit (Ukraine)

Mario Serandrei – Hotel Saturnia Award for Best Technical Contribution
Topside - Celine Held/Logan George (USA)

Award for Best Short Film
J’adore - Simone Bozzelli (Italy)

Best Director Award (short)
Le Mosche - Edgardo Pistone (Italy)

Best Technical Contribution Award (short)
Gas Station - Olga Torrico (Italy)

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