Japanese and Iranian Films Take Top Honors at International Film Festival Rotterdam

Rotterdam, Netherlands – Japanese actor and director Toshihiko Tanaka’s film “Rei” and Iranian filmmaker Oktay Baraheni’s “The Old Bachelor” emerged as the top winners at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Tanaka’s “Rei” took home the prestigious €40,000 ($43,000) Tiger Award in the main competition, while Baraheni’s “The Old Bachelor” won the €30,000 ($32,000) VPRO Big Screen Award 2024. “Rei” tells the story of a woman in Tokyo struggling to find meaning in her life until she encounters a deaf landscape photographer living in the mountains of Hokkaido. The jury, consisting of Marco Müller, Ena Sendijarević, … Read more

Japanese and Iranian Films Shine at International Film Festival Rotterdam: ‘Rei’ and ‘The Old Bachelor’ Take Top Honors

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 … Read more

Groundbreaking Documentary ‘Daughters’ Wins Top Honors at Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, Utah – Filmmaker Angela Patton received the Festival Favorite Award at the Sundance Film Festival’s 40th edition for her documentary “Daughters.” Accepting the award on Friday, Patton expressed hesitation in making the film, citing the lack of representation for black women’s voices. However, she emphasized the importance of sharing stories that are often unheard and unseen. “Daughters” follows the lives of four girls in Washington, D.C., as they prepare for a daddy-daughter dance with their incarcerated fathers. The documentary explores themes of race, the U.S. criminal justice system, families, and girl power. The … Read more

Affecting Drama ‘In the Summers’ and Intimate Documentary ‘Porcelain War’ Take Top Honors at 40th Sundance Film Festival

PARK CITY, Utah – “In the Summers,” an emotive, multi-year drama that explores the complexities of a parent-child relationship, emerged as the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 40th Sundance Film Festival. The festival’s top documentary honor was bestowed upon “Porcelain War,” a film centered around a Ukrainian couple who create intricately painted ceramics amidst the turmoil of war. Both films marked the directorial debuts of their respective filmmakers. Directed and written by Alessandra Lacorazza, “In the Summers” chronicles the imperfect journey of a father and his daughters over nearly two decades. Lacorazza’s … Read more