On 11 June, the third and final day of competition, the Jury of the Bali International Film Festival announced the winning films in four categories.
Many leading filmmakers and notable personalities gathered for the annual award ceremony to celebrate the films selected — as well as their exceptional creative and technical teams — for their captivating storytelling and quality of the filmmaking.
Short Documentary
Winner Homebound | Ismail Fahmi Lubis, Indonesia
Jury statement
The film, in a simple but intimate way, presents a character with the complexity of problems ranging from living as a migrant worker, COVID-19, single mother. The use of animation in the documentary, which is quite new among Indonesian documentaries, becomes an effective form and a clever choice as a solution to the problem of limitations for having real footage during the pandemic.
Special Mention: Dusk Till Dawn (Da Boca da Noite à Barra do Dia) | Tiago Delácio, Brazil
An interesting film about a spiritual journey, a life transformation of a modest farmer, which also can change our perception of life after we watch it. The richness and personality of the storytelling and performance draws the viewer in. The film opens a window on a culture in an approach with seems to echo the playfulness of the content.
Short Narrative
Winner: Murder Tongue | Ali Sohail Jaura, Pakistan
Jury statement
This is a beautiful short film packed a lot of punch, especially with the numerous ways the topic was explored through the metaphors of speech and silence. Through a proper cinematographic treatment, this film becomes an affecting look at violence against marginalised communities thatmakes a strong statement about ethnic politics in South Asia while transcending the cultural context in which it takes place, in an universal language.
Feature Documentary
Winner: My Childhood, My Country – 20 Years in Afghanistan | Phil Grabsky and Shoaib Sharifi, United Kingdom
Jury statement
An interesting film about a spiritual journey, a life transformation of a modest farmer, which also can change our perception of life after we watch it. The richness and personality of the storytelling and performance draws the viewer in. The film opens a window on a culture in an approach with seems to echo the playfulness of the content.
Feature Narrative
Winner: Inside a Funeral Hall | Ho-hyun Lee (Republic of Korea)
Jury statement
It’s a terrific script, and shows an impressive directorial ability to keep us deeply engaged with a great myriad of characters and stories at once. The unique claustrophobia of the funeral hall setting is used perfectly, and the fine balance of emotion, intrigue and humour are a treat.
Special Jury Award
Winner: Mentawai: Souls of the Forest | Joo Peter (Germany)
Committee statement
Mentawai invites us to a world so few have experienced. A world of depth and beauty that is under enormous threat. This deeply moving perspective comes from a talented writer and director, Joo Peter of Germany, who through footage he’s created and gathered gives us access to the stunning physical world, the cosmology, and the courageous heart of the Mentawai people, the last Indigenous inhabitants of Sumatra’s archipelago.
Committee Choice Award
Winner: Preman | Randolf Zaini (Indonesia)
