Direct Action
Guillaume Cailleau, Ben Russell
International Feature Film Prize in l’Alternativa Official
The jury for International Feature Films in l’Alternativa Official at the 31st edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l’Alternativa, made up of Ariadna Dot, Miguel Ángel Blanca and David Ferragut , met on 21 November 2024 and agreed unanimously to award the International Feature Film Prize to
Direct Action, by Guillaume Cailleau and Ben Russell (Germany, France).
A radical defence of everyday actions that become a key part of the collective struggle in a political context. This film cannot be understood with its courageous approach to filmmaking, fully in keeping with the film’s own philosophy. It’s more fun doing things when other people are involved.
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to
Apple Cider Vinegar, by Sofie Benoot (Belgium).
A highly original way of linking the smallest and most intimate objects with cosmic events and universal feelings, with a dash of humour and strikingly poetic language.
International Short Film Prize in l’Alternativa Official
The jury for International Short Films in l’Alternativa Official at the 31st edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l’Alternativa, made up of Jordi Sanz, Milagros Távara and Gaston Core, met on 21 November 2024 and agreed unanimously to award the International Short Film Prize to
Kindergarten, by Yann les Jours (France, Czech Republic).
A simple yet effective means of evoking different aspects of a memory through sight and sound, creating an intimate space through deft use of closeups and reflections.
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to
Nunca fuimos un desierto, by Agustina Comedi and Chiachio & Giannone (Argentina).
An opportunity to hear marginalised stories and characters and a defence of collective identities and group creation.
Spanish Film Prize in l’Alternativa Official
The jury for Spanish Films in l’Alternativa Official at the 31st edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l’Alternativa, made up of per Ana Matilde Uslenghi, Alberto Richart and María Adell, met on 21 November 2024 and agreed unanimously to award the Spanish Film Prize jointly to the feature film
Caja de resistencia, by Concha Barquero Artés and Alejandro Alvarado Jódar (Spain, Portugal).
A staunch defence of the utopian ideal of making films that go against the current and an essay on individual and collective failure rich in radical forms. A political film whose critically rereading of the past connects with our present.
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to the feature film
Filmei paxaros voando, by Zeltia Outeiriño González (Spain).
A film that makes free use of all the resources available to tell an honest autobiographical story and, at the same time, offering emotional reflections on such universal themes as taking care of people, losing one’s roots and dealing with loss and mourning.
DOCMA Feature Film Prize in l’Alternativa Official
The jury for the DOCMA Prize at the 31st edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l’Alternativa, made up of Laura Álvarez, Manuel Bauer and Víctor Luengo, met on 21 November 2024 and agreed unanimously to award the DOCMA Feature Film Prize to
Una sombra oscilante, by Celeste Rojas Múgica (Chile).
A fresh, moving and multilayered film whose powerful perspective can teach us to read photographs while creating lines of force that support an unconventional narrative. Through a delirium shared by two complicit voices, the film reveals a nontraditional, poetic and deeply evocative way of storytelling. Its stunning cinematography invites us to navigate a collective trauma from an intimate place without ever forcing us to relive the pain.
Don Quixote International Feature Film Prize in l'Alternativa Official
The jury for the Don Quixote Prize at the 31st edition of the Barcelona Independent Film Festival, l’Alternativa, made up of Julio Lamaña, William S. Mørch and Lourdes Feixa, met on 21 November 2024 and agreed unanimously to award the Don Quixote International Feature Film Prize to
Oasis of Now, by Chee Sum Chia (Malaysia, Singapore, France).
A striking film that uses intensified, selective audio, particular framing, an expressive use of close-ups and an instance on the narrative importance of the outfield as essential ingredients in its formalised and quiet yet intense way of storytelling. Giving a brutal account of the social marginalisation of immigrants, it manages to highlight a tender mother-daughter relationship in poetical fashion as the only oasis in the midst of a dramatic situation. We believe this film can spark a debate about the conditions of immigration and the violence often entailed by reality.
The jury also awarded a Special Mention to
Direct Action, by Guillaume Cailleau and Ben Russell (Germany, France).
A film full of hope and narrative surprises. It belies its long running time thanks to effective use of action within single shots and the constantly refreshingly new structure of the film throughout. The film combines long shot sequences from moments of simple yet great beauty and everyday life to suggest alternatives to our mode of existence, as well as the day-to-day struggle and the collective effort for a better and possible world. A message of hope in these dark times.
In collaboration with
