16-22 November 2015

L'Alternativa 2015

Awards

L'Alternativa Official Feature Film Prize

The jury for the Official Feature Film Section at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Amanda Villavieja, Esteban Bernatas and Xavier Artigas, met on 20 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the Festival Feature Film Prize to the film The Iron Ministry by John Paul Sniadecki (United States).

The judges praised the film's remarkable ability to take us on a journey of the senses through the vast Chinese landscape without ever stepping off a train. Through a series of vignettes of everyday life, this film gives a social, political and anthropological insight into modern-day China and reveals its social, cultural and ethnic contradictions.

The judges also awarded a Special Mention to Mauro, by Hernán Roselli (Argentina), in recognition of the its masterful direction and mise-en-scène and skilful characterisation of a segment of Argentinian society that struggles to survive on the edges of the system.

L'Alternativa Official Short Film Prize

The jury for the Official Short Film Section at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Xavier Quérelle, Jorge Tur Moltó and Alba Sotorra, met on 20 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the Festival Short Film Award to the film Sieben Mal am Tag beklagen wir unser Los und natchts stehen wir auf, um nicht zu träumen (Seven Times a Day We Bemoan Our Lot and at Night We Get Up to Avoid Dreaming) by Susann Maria Hempel (Germany).

The judges praised the unsettling, engaging and unsentimental portrait painted by this brilliant audiovisual collage, especially the hilarious musical number based on the song "Lambada".

The judges also awarded a Special Mention to Shipwreck by Morgan Knibbe (Netherlands), in recognition of its frank exploration of a dramatic present-day reality.

Critics Award for Best Feature Film in l'Alternativa Official

The jury for the Critics Award for Best Feature Film in l'Alternativa Official at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Daniel Arrébola, Ignasi Franch and Mariana Freijomil, met on 20 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the Critics Award to the film to Une jeunesse allemande (A German Youth), by Jean-Gabriel Périot (France, Switzerland, Germany).

The judges praised the film's astonishing ability to weave together archive material from journalists and avant-garde political filmmaking. They also felt that its perceptive look at the past also shines light on a number of present-day social issues, political dissidence and institutional reactions.

The judges also awarded a Special Mention to The Iron Ministry, by John Paul Sniadecki (United States), in recognition of its audacious mise-en-scène, which captures a whole host of everyday gestures, conversations and landscapes. Although seen through the eyes of an outsider who might not always take an equidistant stance, it includes a range of voices that contribute to a rich debate on economic development policies in China and worldwide.

GAC Honorary Prize for Best Feature Film Screenplay in Panorama

The jury for the GAC Honorary Prize for Best Screenplay at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Àngels Diemand-Hartz, Mateu Adrover and Daniel Resnich, met on 20 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the GAC Prize for Best Feature Film Screenplay to the film Ingen ko på issen (No Cow on the Ice) by Eloy Domínguez Serén (Sweden, Spain).

The judges praised the director's tightly structured personal discourse, interwoven with a palpable sense of freedom and an evocative poetic language that envelops spectators throughout.

GAC Honorary Prize for Best Short Film Screenplay in Panorama

The jury for the GAC Honorary Prize for Best Screenplay at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Àngels Diemand-Hartz, Mateu Adrover and Daniel Resnich, met on 19 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the GAC Prize for Best Short Film Screenplay to the film Un encanteri (An Enchantment) by Lluís by Sola (Spain).

The judges praised the film's striking ability to create an enthralling, poetic atmosphere through a freewheeling narrative.

Panorama Platja d'Aro—Costa Brava Award

The jury for the Panorama Platja d'Aro—Costa Brava Award at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, made up of Sesi Bergeret, Pere Ginard and Tess Renaudo, met on 20 November 2015 and agreed unanimously to award the Panorama Platja d'Aro—Costa Brava Award to the film África 815 by Pilar Monsell (Spain).

Audience Award

The Audience Award at the 22nd edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l'Alternativa, goes to the film Eco by Xacio Baño (Spain).