The Obskuur Ghent Film Festival kicked off its Fall 2020 season last Sunday in Alfred Sküll Art Gallery's cozy cinema space with an eclectic selection of innovative works by local and international filmmakers.
In the meantime, the jury members have been viewing each officially selected film and casting their votes. Today, the Obskuur Ghent Film Festival is happy to share with you this season's award winners.
Best Experimental Film went to 'Darkness of Otherwhere' (Japan) by Ayoub Qanir. A young woman gets emotionally caught in a voyeuristic game on the dark shades of Tokyo only to reveal a darker past of her own.
The award for Best Underground Film was given to 'A.WAY' (Belgium) by Glenn Dumortier. 'A.WAY' is an imaginary walk on a path between the fields of nostalgia and melancholia, purely constructed with archive material. Looking back on yesterday can be something of great beauty, if you don't forget about today and tomorrow.
'Born Just Now' (United States) by Robert Adanto won Best Documentary Film. A sensitive, steadfast Belgrade-based visionary struggles to cope with the abuse and violence that ended an eight-year marriage. Through provocative acts of endurance exploring intimacy, motherhood and the trauma of the Balkan wars, artist Marta Jovanović seeks to confront, release and liberate her own pain in the name of art. Robert Adanto's 'Born Just Now' is an intimate look at a charismatic woman, a brilliant outlier, who dares to live on her own terms.
The prize for Best Narrative Film went to '023_GRETA_S' (Germany) by Annika Birgel. A young actress' audition quickly spirals out of control, turning into an intimate and manipulative interrogation. As she fights to stand her ground, one pressing question will remain: how far will she go to get the role? '023_GRETA_S' is a disquieting drama about the abuse of power in the film industry.
Best Animated Film was awarded to 'Spora' (Belgium) by Loes Vanneste, Lena Mariën. A world created in textile, full of fascinating organisms, is in danger...
'Catch a glimpse - Dark Energy' (United Kingdom) by Anders Sundstedt won Best Music Video. The animated short is the official music video for Catch a Glimpse's song ‘Dark Energy'. The song features on the hard rock electro band's 2019 debut album '75005'.
And last but not least, the award for Best Belgian Film was given to 'Radio Sueño' (Belgium) by Anna Verkouteren Jansen and Rani Decock. In a late-night radio show for the sleepless and distressed, fictional radio host Marisol leads a meditation on dreams while offering solace. Based on the writings from master-of-grief-and-comic-relief graphic novelist Chris Ware, this work creates intimacy while emphasizing the vastness of one’s imagination. Through the shared frequency, our imagination holds a potential to feel connected, whether it be fictional or real.
Obskuur Ghent Film Festival is dedicated to recognizing quality films and filmmakers and showcasing their work. This is a quarterly film festival with a unique screening operation. It showcases innovative, underground, experimental, and independent movies by aspiring local as well as international filmmakers. The festival takes place at the Alfred Sküll Art Gallery’s small and cozy 30 seat movie theatre.
Obskuur's Fall 2020 edition will continue screening until December, find the full schedule on www.obskuur.com, and come enjoy this season's award winners as well as many other obscure cinematic gems.
In January 2021, Obskuur will be back for its next season. Submit your film now on FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/GhentFilmFestival.