'Ixcanul' by Jayro Bustamante wins Grand Prix for Best Film at the 42nd Film Fest Gent

On Wednesday 21 October, the international jury of Film Fest Gent, led by jury president Sir Alan Parker, announced the winners of the different competitions. 'Ixcanul' by Jayro Bustamante won the Grand Prix for Best Film. The Georges Delerue Award for Best Soundtrack went to Johnnie Burn for the soundtrack of 'The Lobster' by Yorgos Lanthimos. The winners of the different short film competitions were also revealed.

This year’s international jury consisted of jury president Sir Alan Parker, Marjane Satrapi, Caroline Strubbe, Boyd van Hoeij and Franco Lolli.

1. OFFICIAL COMPETITION

- Grand Prix for Best Film: IXCANUL by Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala/France, 2015)

Belgian distributor: Cinéart

This prize is worth €43,500 in total, which is split into a cash distribution grant of €20,000 as support of the film's release in Flanders and Brussels (in at least five movie theaters), and a media return of €23,500.

Motivation of the jury: "We were moved by the unconditional love of a mother for a daughter and the honesty and grace of the filmmaking."

- Georges Delerue Award for Best Sound Design: THE LOBSTER by Yorgos Lanthimos (Greece - United Kingdom - Ireland - The Netherlands - France, 2015).

Belgian distributor: Imagine Film Distribution

This prize is worth €21,500 in total. It consists of a distribution grant worth €10,000 and a media return worth €11,500.

Motivation of the jury: "For the creative, eclectic and imaginative use of music and sound design".

2. AWARD FOR BEST BELGIAN STUDENT SHORT

- National Lottery Award for Best Belgian Student Short: FLOR DE MIL COLORES by Karen Vazques (KASK). The winner receives the National Lottery Award for Best Belgian Student Short, worth €2,000. This film was chosen by a professional jury, with as members Ely Dagher, Amira Daoudi, Charlotte De Bruyne, Emmy Oost and Mathias Sercu and presided by Dirk Van Extergem.

Motivation of the jury: "This film called for our attention on different levels. In an intelligent way, the director takes us with her into a world of dualities: claustrophobia and freedom, desperation and hope, visual style and content."

- ACE Image Factory Public Choice Award: DRÔLE D'OISEAU by Anouk Fortunier (LUCA School of Arts)

Last Sunday, the ACE Image Factory Public Choice Award was announced, which consists of a grading session worth €6,500 at the audiovisual post production house ACE Image Factory for a next film project.

3. EUROPEAN SHORT FILM AWARD

- Ghent nomintation for the EFA qualifying round: LE MUR by Samuel Lampaert (Belgium, 2015)

This prize nominates its winner for the Prize for Best European Short of the European Film Academy 2015-2016. The winner will be announced in December 2016.

Motivation of the jury: "The award for best short goes to a full-fledged film with a humoristic tone."

4. EXPLORE ZONE TRAIL

- Explore Award 2015: SLEEPING GIANT by Andrew Cividino (Canada, 2015)

No Belgian distributor yet. The Explore Award was conferred on Tuesday 20 October by the youth jury that gives out a publicity campaign for the film on various media outlets: Studio Brussel, Knack and De Morgen.

The winners of the Port of Ghent Public Choice Award and the Canvas Audience Award will be announced on Monday 26 October.

Film Fest Gent's 42nd edition runs until 24 October. All information at www.filmfestival.be.