11th International documentary films about human rights festival has ended in Kyiv. The awards ceremony was held On March 27 in Cinema House in Kyiv. Hosts of the ceremony: popular journalists Nataliya Gumenyuk and Andriy Saychuk.

Films were competing for prizes in three categories: DOCU/LIFE, DOCU/RIGHT, DOCU/SHORT, and for the special prize from Students’ Jury. The festivals’ Orzanizing Committee favorite is awarded with the Andriy Matrosov Award. After the ceremony a DOCU/LIFE competition winning film was screened.

Docudays UA 2014 Winners:

DOCU/LIFE 

Main prize: The Last Limousine (director Daria Khlestkina, Russia, 2014)

For a dignified, compassionate portrayal of state-factory workers lost in transition, but not in humanity. Perfectly casted, well crafted, and touching in its social, economic, and political absurdity.

Special mention: Crepuscule (director Valentyn Vasyanovych, Ukraine, 2014)

For a visually and emotionally superior depiction of human resilience, sensibility, and interdependence.

Special mention: Night Labor (directors David Redmon and Ashley Sabin, USA, Canada, 2013) 

For a provocative, atypical, allegorical description of industrial work and personal freedom.

Jury members: Boris Mitić, a Serbian documentary filmmaker, journalist; Chris McDonald, president of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival; Simone Baumann, a German producer, head of the documentary department of Saxonia Entertainment GmbH

DOCU/RIGHT 

Main prize: Mother’s Dream (director Valerie Gudenus, Switzerland, 2013)

For a highly sensitive, empathic, and artistic presentation of a controversial and socially resonant human rights problem, affecting the fates of women and children globally.

Special mention: No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka (director Callum Macrae, UK, 2013)

For the powerful use of video advocacy in global awareness-raising and opinion-shaping regarding the mass murders of civilians belonging to a Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.

Special mention: Captain and His Pirate (director Andy Wolff, Belgium, Germany, 2012)

For exceptional courage of the film crew and an outstanding presentation of international piracy phenomenon as presented by a victim and his prison guard.

Jury members: Andrzej Poczobut, a Belarussian journalist; Natalka Zubar, a Ukrainian human rights activist, journalist, screenwriter, director; Oksana Sarkisova, a Program Director at the Verzio International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival (Hungary).

DOCU/SHORT 

Main prize: Liza, Go Home! (director Oksana Buraja, Lithuania, Estonia, 2012)

For filmmaker's poetic sensibility and respect for other humans’ secrets.

Special mention: Joanna (director Aneta Kopacz, Poland, 2013)

For filmmaker's ability to be both intimate and discreet.

Special mention: Mom (director Lidia Sheinina, Russia, 2013)

For ability of the filmmaker to find in the closed world of one apartment "things that quicken the heart".

Jury members: Andrei Zagdansky, a Ukrainian-American director and producer; Victoria Belopolskaya, film critic, а programming director of ArtDocFest, the most influential Russian festival for creative documentaries; Stéphanie Lamorré, a French documentary filmmaker, international independent writer, producer and director

STUDENTS’ JURY AWARD 

Tucker and the Fox (director Arash Lahooti, Iran, 2013)

For an optimistic story about a life-long passion

Jury Membes: Viktor Kylymar, Oleksandr Shkrabak, Halia Vasylenko, Petro Vyalkov, Tetyana Chesalova.

AUDIENCE AWARD

Joanna (director Aneta Kopacz, Poland, 2013)

ANDRIY MATROSOV AWARD FROM THE DOCUDAYS UA ORGANIZING COMMITTEE  

A Diary of a Journey (director Piotr Stasik, Poland, 2013)

The screening of award-winning films is scheduled for 4 pm at March 28 (Cinema House, Red Hall).