Walad Min Al Janna directed by Tarik Saleh took home the NDR narrative film prize as well as the Interfilm Church Prize trophy, at the 64th Nordic Film Days Lübeck (Nordische Filmtage Lübeck). The jury commented, “The jury of the NDR film prize awards a film with an impeccable script and breathtaking acting. This simple yet complex moral thriller is a tale of power and corruption that is highly relevant today, as no one has the choice to stay away from the political, religious and social issues of our time. The setting of the story is unique, the twists and turns are nothing but amazing. This is what a modern Nordic film looks like today: congratulations to Tarik Saleh and Boy from Heaven.”
The Finnish film Tytöt tytöt tytöt by Alli Haapasalo also scored twice, winning the prize of the Sparkassenstiftung for best Children’s & Youth film, as well as the award from the youth jury. An award for best Nordic or Baltic short film made its debut this year, going to Skolen ved havet by Norwegian filmmaker Solveig Melkeraaen.
The Baltic Film Prize for a Nordic film went to the Danish-Icelandic-French co-production Vanskabte Land by Hlynur Pálmason, and the Documentary prize awarded went to Armotonta menoa – Hoivatyön lauluja, directed by Susanne Helke. Director Katrine Brocks was onstage at Theater Lübeck to accept the Friends of the NFL association prize honouring a feature directing debut for Den store Stilhed.
The audience selected the Norwegian-Swedish comedy Alle Hater Johan by Hallvar Witzø.
The first Nordische Filmtage award – an historical brick from Lübeck – was the Honorary Award handed to Friðrik Þór Friðriksson during the NFL opening night at the CineStar cinema on November 2.
The winners and honourable mentions at the 64 Nordic Film Days Lübeck:
NDR FILM PRIZE
WALAD MIN AL JANNA / BOY FROM HEAVEN
Dir: Tarik Saleh, Sweden / France / Finland / Morocco / Denmark
Friends of the NFL Prize for Best First Feature
DEN STORE STILHED / THE GREAT SILENCE
Dir: Katrine Brocks, Denmark
Lübecker Nachrichten Audience Prize
ALLE HATER JOHAN / EVERYBODY HATES JOHAN
Dir: Hallvar Witzø, Norway, Sweden
Interfilm Church Prize
WALAD MIN AL JANNA / BOY FROM HEAVEN
Dir: Tarik Saleh, Sweden / France / Finland / Morocco / Denmark
Honourable Mention:
Metsurin tarina | The Woodcutter Story
Dir: Mikko Myllylahti, Finland / Denmark / Netherlands / Germany
Baltic Film Prize for a Nordic Film
Vanskabte Land | Vola.a land | Godland
Dir: Hlynur Pálmason, Denmark, Iceland, France
Documentary Film Prize of a the North DGB District
ARMOTONTA MENOA – HOIVATYÖN LAULUJA / RUTHLESS TIMES – SONGS OF CARE
Dir: Susanna Helke, Finland
Honourable Mention:
Nelly & Nadine | Nelly & Nadine
Dir: Magnus Gertten, Sweden, Norway, Belgium
CineStar Prize
and died together one day | und starben an dem gleichen tag
Dir: Pola Rader, Russia / Germany
Honourable Mention:
Phantom Flug | Phantom Flight
Dir: Gor Margaryan, Germany
Prize for Best Nordic or Baltic Short Film
Skolen ved havet | The School by the Sea
Dir: Solveig Melkeraaen, Norway
Honourable Mention:
BLUSH – An Extraordinary Voyage | BLUSH – An Extraordinary Voyage
Dir: Iiti Yli-Harja, Finland
Children’s & Youth Film Award of the Gemeinnützige Sparkassenstiftung
TYTÖT TYTÖT TYTÖT / GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS
Dir: Alli Haapasalo, Finland
Children’s Jury prize
ROBOTBROR / MY ROBOT BROTHER
Dir: Frederik Nørgaard, Denmark
Youth Jury Prize
TYTÖT TYTÖT TYTÖT / GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS
Dir: Alli Haapasalo, Finland