The first edition of BOO has its winners!

The winners of the 1st edition of the BOO International Film Festival have been announced. The award ceremony took place on Saturday, November 8, at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. Awards were awarded in a total of six competition categories.

European BOO

The film that won the jury's favor the most was God Is Shy by French director Jocelyn Charles. „From the moment we saw this film on our first day at the festival, we were completely mesmerised by its colour and atmosphere and the images have stayed with us ever since. We were drawn in by the film's effective mix of humour and dread and by the way it explores fear and the human urge to play God, to understand and control everything around us. We could see the influence of Japanese artists from Miyazaki to Murakami in both the film's visual style and storytelling, yet it remains truly distinctive and original. It’s a really accomplished and confident film and we were really impressed to find out that this is the director's first short film,” the jury explained its selection.

In addition, the jury also awarded a special mention to the Polish film Dancing in the Corner by director Jan Bujnowski. „The jury would like to mention a tender and visually mesmerising film that evoked emotions of nostalgia and grief and a strange feeling of fulfilment. A moving but humorous film about dreams not coming true, the passing of time and family bonds, it managed to place on the surface of a football so many little tragedies that make up our world and, eventually, transcend it," by Jan Bujnowski from Poland.” the jury described what won them over about the film.

Czech-German BOO

„The winning film takes us to a slightly shady neighborhood in Prague. In a black-and-white, neo-noir-like world, we accompany a peculiar character on his mission to remedy an unexpected beer shortage. The powerful images and detailed perspectives create a depth that is rarely found in 2D animation. The expressive characters hardly speak, but exchange meaningful glances and carry us through the night with a great deal of humo,” said the jury, explaining why it decided to award the film Hurikán by director Jan Saska.

The jury also awarded a special mention in this category, this time to the film Ceasefire by director Jakob Krese. The jury justified its decision as follows: „We would like to give a special mention to the film which shows how much a piece of recent European history still shapes personal destinies today and reminds us once again that genocide is happening right before our eyes, both then and now.”

mini BOO

The jury of the mini BOO competition category was not made up of film professionals, but young film enthusiasts aged 7–9. After all, who understands films for children better than those for whom they are intended? The award in this category went to The Legend of the Hummingbird by director Morgan Devos. „We liked the interesting story and the cartoon characters. The animals joined forces to help the hummingbird save the sloth, so he could keep living with his friends in the jungle. The best part is that everything turned out well,” the young judges explain what caught their attention in the film.

12+BOO

In this competition, young jurors aged 12–14 decided on the best film. The award ultimately went to the animated film Volcelest by director Éric Briche. „We appreciated the film especially for its precise animation, which underscores the theme of raw nature without mercy. The unconventional visuals were essential to the overall impression of the film.” the judges explain what was key for them in selecting the winner.

15+BOO

Film enthusiasts aged 15 to 19 selected the film God Is Shy, directed by Jocelyn Charles, as the best film in their competition category, thereby winning awards in two categories at the festival. The jury described what appealed to them about the film as follows: „We would like to award this film for raising questions we can relate to and for finding a new and original way to express them. The film impressed us with its surreal visual effects and tension that builds up until the very last second. ”

BOO for the Elder and Wiser

In this festival category, the jury consisted of "elder and wiser" viewers aged 60+, who, through passionate discussions about the nominated films, showed that film is also an important medium for them, one that they can reflect on from many perspectives. The jury awarded British film Notes from the Planet Three by director Simon Ellis. The jury summarized what caught their attention about the film and why they chose it as follows: „The film Notes from Planet Three contains extremely impressive authentic footage of the night sky, planets, and stars. It looks at the functioning of the universe from a unique child's perspective, which brings lightness to the subject in the form of humor. The scientific facts presented in the graphics contrast sharply with the irrational opinions posted by people on the internet, in which they question scientific knowledge. In addition to its artistic qualities, the film also has enormous potential to become interesting educational material. ”