Scottish writer-director Ben Sharrock’s sophomore feature, Limbo [+lee también:
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entrevista: Ben Sharrock
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The International Competition jury, chaired by Chinese director-producer-screenwriter Ning Hao, and comprising producer-director Mattie Do from Laos, German actress Nina Hoss, Singaporean director-producer-writer Eric Khoo, and executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival and producer Albert Lee, handed the $60,000 (€49,500) award to Limbo, saying that it was “a thought-provoking piece of work because of its in-depth exploration of society and also the relationship between culture and humanity. Combined with the director’s unique film language and a modern artistic style, it magically blends together and gives the audience unforgettable pleasure and enjoyment from all senses.” Sharrock was also awarded Best Screenplay for his film.

In the other categories, first-time French filmmaker Suzanne Lindon received the Best Director Award for Spring Blossom [+lee también:
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entrevista: Suzanne Lindon
ficha de la película]. The Best Actress Award was given to Poland’s Magdalena Koleśnik for her leading role in Sweat [+lee también:
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ficha de la película], written and directed by Magnus von Horn, while seasoned American thesp Lance Henriksen got the Best Actor Award for his performance in Falling [+lee también:
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ficha de la película], where he stars alongside the writer-director of the film, Viggo Mortensen. Finally, Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda was honoured for his outstanding achievements in film with the festival’s “Spirit of Cinema” Award. He stated: “It has been 25 years since I became a film director. Recently, there have been many chances to receive these kinds of awards. Besides being ecstatic, I feel that my hard work has finally paid off. In the days to come, I hope to continue creating and producing more movies, and to continue the spirit of creativity and hard work.”

The International Competition featured a total of 11 films by first- or second-time filmmakers, and apart from the four winners, the other features selected were: Back to the Wharf by Li Xiaofeng (China), Black Light by Bae Jong-dae (South Korea), The Cloud in Her Room by Zheng Lu Xinyuan (Hong Kong/China), Love Poem by William Wong (Hong Kong), Servants [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] by Ivan Ostrochovský (Slovakia/Romania/Czech Republic/Ireland), Shorta [+lee también:
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entrevista: Anders Ølholm y Frederik L…
ficha de la película] by Frederik Louis Hviid and Anders Ølholm (Denmark), and Tragic Jungle [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] by Yulene Olaizola (Mexico/France/Colombia).

Regarding this exceptional edition, IFFAM artistic director Mike Goodridge stated: “It was a daunting challenge for the whole IFFAM team to take the festival online, but we are happy with the results and have received some great feedback from the people of Macao and Hong Kong who have been enjoying the programme. Many thanks to Alvin Chau, Gina Lei and her team for their unwavering support. We hope that we can return to the cinemas next year for the sixth IFFAM.”

Here is the complete list of award winners at the fifth International Film Festival & Awards‧Macao:

International Competition

Best Film
Limbo [+lee también:
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Best Director
Suzanne Lindon - Spring Blossom [+lee también:
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entrevista: Suzanne Lindon
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Best Actor
Lance Henriksen - Falling [+lee también:
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ficha de la película] (Canada/UK/USA/Denmark)

Best Actress
Magdalena Koleśnik - Sweat [+lee también:
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entrevista: Magnus von Horn
ficha de la película] (Poland/Sweden)

Best Screenplay
Ben Sharrock - Limbo

Best Short Film
Under - Jiao Yue (China)

“Spirit of Cinema” Achievement Award
Hirokazu Kore-eda