Melbourne, Australia — Colombian filmmaker Simón Mesa Soto’s latest film, “A Poet,” has garnered the prestigious Bright Horizons Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). The award, valued at $140,000, recognizes outstanding contributions to contemporary cinema, marking a significant achievement for the director as well as this year’s festival, which showcased numerous innovative films.
A panel of industry experts, led by filmmaker Charlotte Wells, chose “A Poet” for the award. The jury included notable figures such as Australian actress Tamala, American filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari, IMDb founder Col Needham, Vietnamese-Australian screenwriter Nam Le, and composer Caitlin Yeo. The jury praised “A Poet” as a tragicomic satire that delves into themes of ambition and despair through the eyes of Óscar, a once-inspiring poet who becomes a mentor amidst his own struggles.
In their remarks, the jury highlighted the film’s unique approach, citing its brisk pacing, the use of 16mm cinematography, and deadpan performances from a largely debut cast. They commended Soto’s ability to intertwine character study with social commentary, establishing him as a significant voice in Latin American cinema.
The Bright Horizons Award was inaugurated in 2022 to spotlight emerging filmmakers. Previous recipients include the Afrofuturist film “Neptune Frost,” Senegalese-French romance “Banel & Adama,” and last year’s Canadian dramedy “Universal Language.”
This year’s award announcements also recognized various other talents in the film industry. James J. Robinson won the Blackmagic Design Best Australian Director Award for his work on “First Light.” The Uncle Jack Charles Award was presented to Yarrenyty Arltere Artists for their short film, “The Fix-It-Man and the Fix-It-Wooman,” while the Intrepid Audience Award went to “Careless,” directed by Sue Thomson. Additionally, the MIFF Schools Youth Jury Award was awarded to Sarah Winkenstette for “Greetings From Mars.”
Reflecting on the festival, MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar noted the excitement surrounding the event. He remarked on the vibrant atmosphere in Melbourne, highlighting sold-out screenings and enthusiastic audiences engaging with filmmakers from around the globe. Cossar emphasized that this year’s edition of MIFF felt particularly special, commemorating excellence in cinema and culture.
Although the festival has officially concluded, select films remain available for viewing through the ACMI Cinema 3 platform until August 31. This extended access allows audiences to continue exploring the diverse array of films featured in this year’s event.
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