Rotterdam, Netherlands – Japanese actor and director Toshihiko Tanaka has been awarded the top prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam for his human relationships drama, “Rei.” The film follows the story of a woman in her thirties working in Tokyo who discovers the value of her life after meeting a deaf landscape photographer in Hokkaido’s mountains. The Tiger Award, which comes with a prize of €40,000 ($43,000), was given to Tanaka’s debut film by a jury consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, Nadia Turincev, Billy Woodberry, and Herman Yau.
In addition to “Rei,” two other films received awards at the festival. Indian director Midhun Murali’s political drama, “Kiss Wagon,” won one of the two Special Jury Awards worth €10,000 ($8,540). The hybrid film “Flathead,” by Australian filmmaker Jaydon Martin, also received a Special Jury Award. Both films explore social issues, with “Kiss Wagon” using a shadow play technique and “Flathead” delving into blue collar life in Australia.
The VPRO Big Screen Award, which carries a prize of €30,000 ($32,000), was won by Iranian filmmaker Oktay Baraheni’s “The Old Bachelor.” The film examines themes of patriarchy, misogyny, love, violence, and tragedy. The jury, composed of Samina Khan, Sylvie de Leeuwe, Lisa van der Loos, Marcos Silva, and Ella de Bruijn, praised the film for its storytelling prowess and the development of tension throughout.
The FIPRESCI Award, given by the International Federation of Film Critics, was presented to “Kiss Wagon” for its innovative approach to addressing issues of liberty and sexual and gender repression. The jury, made up of Ela Bittencourt, Dārta Ceriņa, Panagiotis Kotzathanasis, Antonios Lagarias, and Ronald Rovers, commended the film for its blend of humor, spectacle, and intrigue.
Lastly, the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema awarded the NETPAC Award for the best Asian feature film to Indian director Ishan Shukla’s dystopian animated film, “Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust.” The jury, consisting of Elena Larionova Haug, Donsaron Kovitvanitcha, and Andreas Ungerböck, described the film as having a universal approach, spectacular style, and a great sense of humor.
The International Film Festival Rotterdam, which showcases a range of films from popular to arthouse cinema, highlights outstanding work from both established and emerging filmmakers. With its diverse and thought-provoking selection of films, the festival continues to celebrate the art of filmmaking and foster creativity within the industry.