The 35th Annual Palm Spring International Film Festival, which took place from Jan. 4 to 15, has announced this year’s jury award winners. “Four Daughters” took home the FIPRESCI prize, which recognizes films in the international film festival Oscar submissions program. The Kaouther Ben Hania-directed film is Tunisia’s official Oscar submission.
“While digging through the details of the tragic disintegration of a Tunisian family, director Kaouther Ben Hania reclaims the cliché of reenactment and reinvents it, emerging with a powerful account of human complexity. This striking blend of fact, meta-fiction and confessional therapy makes a convincing case for the continued vitality of cinema as an art form,” the jury statement reads.
Best documentary went to “The Echo,” while “The Animal Kingdom” received the New Voices New Visions award, which recognizes unique perspectives from first and second time directors.
“Power Alley” received the the Ibero-American award for the best film from Latin America, Spain or Portugal. The Local Jury award, given to a film that promotes understanding between people, went to “Wonderland.” “Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person” received the Young Cineastes award, which is chosen by the festival’s youth jury, and the Mozaik Bridging the Borders award for a film that brings people closer together was given to “Green Border.”
The other FIPRESCI prizes went to “The Zone of Interest” for best international screenplay, “The Teacher’s Lounger” for best actress in an international film for Leonie Benesch and “The Promised Land” for best actor in an international film for Mads Mikkelsen.
The audience awards for best narrative feature and best documentary feature will be announced on Jan. 14.
