KIIFF Team
Sep 21, 2021
Kurdistan International Independent Film Festival 2021
Best Feature Film Nominees
“DARKING WAY”
Director and Writer: Zsolt Pozsgai
Producer: József Berger
Country of Origin: Hungary
6 October 1849
The Hungarian War of Independence failed, its thirteen leaders were sentenced to death. The European royal courts and even the Russian tsar himself protested against the executions. However, Haynau, one of the leaders of the victorious forces, did not give quarter. Among the prisoners was General Ignác Török, an artificer officer, whose life was full of secrets and legends. He never married. He had neither children, nor a family. He devoted himself to the memory of his one-time only lover, Charlotte. Now, on the night before his execution, Charlotte arrives with her husband, Sternberg, who is a high-ranking official in the Imperial Court, and, on the orders of the Emperor, they try to save the prisoner. The woman persuaded her husband to save the love of her youth. At the same time, Haynau is uncompromising. In secret, he has the convicted prisoner and Charlotte’s daughter, who grew up in a boarding school of evil repute, brought to the castle. This is Ignác Török’s first encounter with his daughter, who was sent to the boarding school after her birth, as Charlotte was already married at the time. The confrontation with the girl makes the general realise how his fault lead to her disgraceful fate. He does not accept the Emperor’s quarter. Török is not able to cope with the pressure of the meeting and dies of a heart attack. Only his dead body can be hung from the gallows. Passionate encounters in the storm of history. A night that decides everything. The film is based on a real story.
“THE SILVERSMITH”
Director: Tárkányi János
Writer: Walter Übelhart
Producer: Coralia-Monica Übelhart
Country of Origin:Romania
a historical feature film from Transylvania.
In early XVII’th century, A talented young silversmith (Johannes Banfi Hunyades) from the Transylvanian city of Baia Mare, immersed himself in alchemical studies 400 years ago and came into conflict with the most powerful man in the area. In a parallel act in the present time, an entrepreneur from Baia Mare is investigating after he accidentally found the unknown alchemist in his hometown.
Nowdays, a furniture dealer from the same city, Walter Übelhart, has decided to take a shorter career to kick. To compensate, he deals with the history of his homeland. A man who seems to have been waiting for him speaks to his parents' grave. He presents the photo of a coin that shows all of Walters previous research overthrows. The symbols on the coin suggest that it is 400 years previously gave forerunners of Masonic orders in Baia Mare - in the Mining Fraternities in the Region.
“FIRES IN THE DARK”
Director: Lienhard Dominique
Writers: Lienhard Dominique, AkiraYoshimura
Producers: Fabrice Préel-Cléach, Emmanuelle Latourrette
Country of Origin: France
Seventheen century. Set in a small village, nestled between the sea and the mountain, the father of Alan, a young fifteen-year-old boy, has sold himself for two years to indentured service. Alan is forced to take the place of his father and struggles to support his family.
“THE ROAD TO EDEN”
Directors: Bakyt Mukul, Dastan Zhapar Uulu
Writers: Bakyt Mukul, Dastan Zhapar Uulu, Nurlan Abdykadyrov
Producers: Bakyt Mukul, Dastan Zhapar Uulu, Tolondu Toichubaev, Elnura Osmonalieva
Country of Origin: Kyrgyzstan
A retired writer, Kubat Aliev, is living his last days as a famous and poor writer in a society increasingly concerned by wealth. A widower, he has no children and his only wish is that literature continues to bring enlightenment to his small and disillusioned nation. He sees the possibility of a continuation in his friend, a younger and an equally talented writer, Sapar. However, Sapar is very ill and is in need of an expensive treatment. On the day that Kubat decides to sell his apartment to save the bed-ridden writer’s life, he learns his own younger businessman brother is beaten up by collectors for debts. Kubat finds himself torn between his overwhelming desire to save the sick writer’s life and the pressure to help his kin.
Best Feature Documentary Nominees
“A DAY IN THE LIFE OF REFUGEES”
Directors, Writers & Producers: John Lippman, Arthur Rasco
Country of Origin: United States
A desperately ill child sets out for medical treatment. A Coast Guard team keeps watch overnight. An Iraqi becomes an American. Meet them all in a single Day…in the Life of Refugees.
Greta Van Susteren narrates as Voice of America deploys more than 75 news teams in 32 countries to chronicle how forced displacement affects the rich and the poor, newcomers and their hosts, those in flight, and those out to stop them.
More than two years in the making, this feature-length documentary film debuted on World Refugee Day - June 20, 2021.
“THE CONFERENCE OF THE BIRDS”
Writer, Director & Producer: ShahabKermani
Country of Origin: Germany
The Syrian-catholic community of Al-Khalil is renown for its work of dialogue and close relationship to Islam. During the Syrian civil war, several members of the community were kidnapped by the terroristgroup ISIS: Fleeing the persecution some of the monks and nuns found a new home in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Iraq. With the expanding conflict they took in many displaced families in the monastery.
As one of the different programs hosted by the community a theatre workshop took place. The participants build a play on bases of the book "The conference of the birds" by the islamic mystic Farid ud.Din Attar, intertwining the Sufi allgegorys with their own personal experiences.
It is summer 2017. ISIS is on the retreat and soon the first families will make the journey back home. These are the last days for this people of different origins and believes, sharing daily life in the small rosegarden.
“JAZZ TOWN”
Writer, Director & Producer: Ben Makinen
Country of Origin: United States
Denver’s iconic and Grammy Award-winning musicians reveal the secrets of their success and longevity in the music business while warning the young lions to whom they pass the torch to stay relevant in a marketplace both treacherous and brutal.
The majestic Rocky Mountains tower over a bustling metropolis filled with steamy and romantic nightclubs where jazz flourishes on stage. Jazz Town features never seen before live concert footage on historic stages that have now crumbled due to economic stresses of the Covid Pandemic. Tragically, more than a few of the stellar musicians featured in Jazz Town have died during the making of this movie. Their stories and their passion and their wisdom live on to entertain and inspire the next generation.
Cast includes:
~ Dianne Reeves, 5-time Grammy Award winner for Best Jazz Vocalist
~ US Senator John Hickenlooper (former jazz club owner)
~ Ron Miles (Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell, Ginger Baker)
~ Charlie Hunter (Snarky Puppy, Christian McBride, Stanton Moore)
~ Art Lande (Mark Isham, Gary Peacock)
~ Ayo Awosika (Miley Cyrus, Rob Thomas)
and many more.
American drummer and filmmaker Ben Makinen began making JazzTown 11 years ago as a way to say thank you to his early mentors in jazz and to preserve their stories. As their colorful and star-studded histories came to light Makinen realized the importance of broadening the scope of the film to include the young lions whose careers they helped to shape.
“INDIA'S FORGOTTEN PEOPLE”
Writer & Director: Deana Uppal
Producers: Deana Uppal, Richard Blanshard
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The history and story of India's proud but largely forgotten Gadia Lohar community is for the first time sensitively investigated and revealed in Deana Uppal's documentary 'The Forgotten People.
Best Short Film Nominees
“AFTER THE RAIN”
Writer, Director & Producer: Beston Zîrian
Country of Origin: Germany
In the middle of nowhere, seven-year-old Yazidi girl Merjan finds herself stranded alone on an
unknown shore. The only person around in this no man’s land is 19-year-old Diyab.
They don’t speak the same language and neither of them knows where they are. Holding on
the the hope of finding again her father Merjan refuses to leave the shore while Diyab wants to
find his way to promised land...
“ZAWAL”
Writer & Director: Mujtaba Saeed
Producers: Nora Helou, Gilda Weller
Country of Origin: Germany
Eight year-old Adam confronts a mutated world, when he breaks out of the designated quarantine area for refugees.
“T.A.N”
Writer & Director: Adrian Younge
Producers: Andrew Lojero, Adrian Younge
Country of Origin: United States
Confused, in a haze of consciousness and intolerance, five fragile souls enter an eerie dimension. This journey forces an artist, a junkie, an unapologetic queer, a racist cop and a forged reverend to confront their own demons. In the waiting room, a trickster deity illuminates the shadows hiding within each subject. Piece by piece, each person realizes the darkness they've left behind.
“99 PROBLEMS”
Writer & Director: Michael G Kehoe
Producers: Michael G Kehoe, Tori London, Richard Joel, Rob Harper
Country of Origin: United States
A stranger offers people an opportunity to change their immediate future, an offer that could save them from danger.
Best Short Documentary Nominees
“WELLS OF HOPE”
Writer & Director: Lia Beltrami
Producers: Andrea Morghen, Lia Beltrami
Country of Origin: France
"The day we left Syria, the bombings were as strong as rain ...". Hence the story of Shaima, fleeing the war, kidnapped as a victim of trafficking. Is there still hope? You cannot live without it.
Among stones, deserts, mountains and dust, a group of brave Arab women gives life to Wells of Hope, to give answers to the drama of trafficking, together with the worldwide network Talita Kum. They are women of different religions who live in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria. They move between borders, conflicts and refugees. They want to restore the dignity of the victims and rebuild the dignity of the abused people. The path is not easy, but the determination of these women will open a new way.
“GAZA MONOLOGUES; TEN YEARS AND THE DREAM CONTINUES…”
Writer & Director: Iman Aoun
Producers: Iman Aoun, ASHTAR Theatre
Country of Origin: Palestine
A documentary film that follows the writers of the world notable project 'The Gaza Monologues' in 2010; what happened to them in the besieged Gaza over the last ten years.
“BELLE-ILE IN ACADIE”
Writer, Director & Producer: Phil Comeau
Country of Origin: Canada
Acadians from Belle-Ile-en-Mer, France, visit Canada to meet their "cousins" with whom they share a common culture and history. Descendants of the deported Acadians by the British from their original homeland, they walk on their ancestral lands and attend the international World Acadian Congress. This film is about exile, the power of memory and finding your roots. (116 awards received worldwide.)
Best Short Animation Nominees
“RE-ANIMAL”
Writer, Director & Producer: Rubén Garcerá
Country of Origin: Spain
A series of crimes is devastating the city and there is only one person who is capable of finding the culprit: Toni Clues. When Mr. and Ms. Mendoza are murdered, their family decides to hire him. But time is against him as new victims begin to appear and the police are nowhere to be see. He will have to use all his track-hunting skills to try to solve the mystery: who is behind such gory deaths?
“ON/OFF”
Writer & Director: Nicolas P Villarreal
Producers: Nicolas P. Villarreal, Alessandro Squitti
Country of Origin: Argentina
Endless distractions threaten to destroy creativity.
“IT'S THE VAN AMBURGS”
Directors/Creators: Christopher Ellis, Bruce Bowers
Writer: Christopher Ellis
Producers: Christopher Ellis, Bruce Bowers
Country of Origin: United States
Existing in a sea of prime-time animated shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy and American
Dad, It’s The Van Amburgs strive to be something a little more...refreshing. With the backdrop
being a small community in the Bay Area, CA called Piedmont, It’s the Van Amburgs explores
true “old fashioned family values” within a progressive 21st century society. The stories center
around fun and light hearted topics that we deem “first world problems”, with usually a
solution achieved by the end of any given episode. It’s the Van Amburgs is co-created by
Christopher Ellis and Bruce Bowers for a general audience, ensuring people of all age groups
and backgrounds will relate to and enjoy it.
“JUSTIN AND THE WERLOOBEE”
Directors: Ellen Weisberg, Ken Yoffe, John Vo
Writers & Producers: Ellen Weisberg, Ken Yoffe
Country of Origin: United States
Based on the published book, FRUIT OF THE VINE (Weisberg and Yoffe, Waldorf Publishing, 2018). In JUSTIN AND THE WERLOOBEE, we meet Justin, a sensitive, introspective boy whose physical features and personality make him a convenient target for many of his cruel peers. One night, he wakes to find himself on a mysterious island, which is inhabited by a horde of bizarre creatures. Despite his desperation to find out where he is and, more importantly, how to get home, he becomes involved in the plight of Irvino, a beast who is ostracized on this island much in the way that Justin is in his own world. The story ends with a twist as Justin, in helping Irvino, ends up helping himself by making a lifelong friend out of Irvino. JUSTIN AND THE WERLOOBEE is unique from other stories in the fantasy genre in that it is meant not only for the grade school-aged fantasy enthusiast, but also for anyone interested in the topic of bullies, and how altruistic qualities can develop in children.
Best Feature Screenplay Nominees
“SPIRIT OF THE WOLF”
Writer: Pamela Perry Goulardt
Country of Origin: United States
A PTSD female Vet suffers a severe injury in the California mountains where she is rescued by two feral boys living with a wolf pack.
“THE GREEK PASSAGE”
Writer: Lorenzo Guarnieri
Country of Origin: Italy
2019. The photograph of a Kurdish girl killed in Syria obsesses Joe Fares, a photojournalist suffering from PTSD. Intent on finding the culprit, Joe tracks down Thierry, a trafficker, on a Greek island, but a shipwreck, the re-emergence of past memories and the encounter with Clara and Captain Nikolas blow him off course forever.
“NEVER STOP RUNNING”
Writer: Dr. Melissa Caudle
Country of Origin: United States
What happens when the unthinkable occurs? For David and Jackie Hennessey, they had the white-picket-fence marriage, a wonderful, family, and careers, their lives were perfect until everything turned upside down after Jackie was in a bus wreck resulting in amnesia. Struggling to find a balance between the love they once shared and their new life, David sets out to find a cure to bring back his wife he once knew. After discovering Dr. Grayson, a regression hypnotist, Jackie delves into the session to recover the perfect life she once lived. Faced with the moral dilemma of believing the dreams were once a reality and twisting her religious convictions on reincarnation, Jackie questions her sanity and fears for her life. Join this thrilling story as Jackie unfolds centuries in a mental time travel chase. A twisted tale of fate vs. destiny.
“LOONA TOONA”
Writer: Shockadelic
Country of Origin: Australia
Follow an Australian family of four through a surreal day.
Best Short Script Nominees
“GAS!”
Writer: Lee Bailes
Country of Origin: Sweden
Inspired by the poem ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est’ by Wilfred Owen, GAS is a tragic tale of the fate that befalls one Soldier as his troop retreats from the frontline in WWI. It tries to depict the true horror of war.
It tells the tale of troops seeking medical care, in a mustard gas attack and what befalls one new recruit who can't find his mask.
It was originally written, on commission, to be done as a stop-motion animation, but has since been revamped.
“DISAPPEARING ALLY”
Writer: Warren Paul Glover
Country of Origin: Australia
When the cop convention comes to town, a young waitress appears to become the victim of a predatory officer when she rejects his advances.
“THE CREEK DWELLER IN THE BAYOU”
Writer: Dr. Melissa Caudle
Country of Origin: United States
Seven cousins meet a magical creature in the Lousiana Bayou.
“WHAT LURKS”
Writer: Patty Ray
Country of Origin: United States
Do you ever get that uneasy feeling when you're alone in the middle of nowhere...like being watched? Katy does and for that reason she despises her trips home; especially in the dark. One night she has more than a brief encounter gone deadly wrong.
Best Director Nominees
“SAM FLAMONT”
Film: Mercy
Country of origin: Canada
“BAKYT MUKUL, DASTAN ZHAPAR UULU”
Film: The Road to Eden
Country of Origin: Kyrgyzstan
“LIENHARD DOMINIQUE”
Film: Fires in the dark
Country of Origin: France
“VITTHAL MACHINDRA BHOSALE”
Film: Firastya
Country of Origin: India
Best Screenwriter Nominees
“PAUL CROSS”
Screenplay: A Counterfeit Priest
Country of Origin: United States
“KITINA Y THOMAS”
Screenplay: JR Knows It All
Country of Origin: United States
“JAMIE SUTLIFF”
Screenplay: Black Wolf
Country of Origin: United States
Best Original Score Nominees
“LUNAR CALL - NEEDLES”
By: Bettina Banchini, Claudio Mariani
Country of Origin: Italy
“HUNTED”
By: Lisa Hammer, Levi Wilson
Country of Origin: United States
“WHIRLING DESERT - IASI ENSEMBLE”
By: Iasonas Psarakis, Nikolas Gkinis
Country of Origin: Greece
“DANCING MOON”
By: Marisa Di Muro, Konstancja Szwed
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Best Custom Designer Nominees
“ECE SENA ERCANLI”
Film: Bread and Circuses
Country of Origin: United States
“MALA DEY”
Film:Dada Lakhmi
Country of Origin: India
“FANNI DUKÁT”
Film: Darking Way
Country of Origin: Hungary
“ALEXIA CRISP JONES”
Film: Fires In The Dark
Country of Origin: France
Best Editor Nominees
“JORDAN COTTINGHAM”
Film: Penitent
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“TIBERIO ETTORE MUCCITELLI”
Film: Nil difficile volenti
Country of Origin: Italy
“SANDEEP JL”
Film: Outrage
Country of Origin: United States
“TUONG VI NGUYEN LONG”
Film: Fires In The Dark
Country of Origin: France
Best DOP Nominees
“PASCALE MARIN”
Film: Fires in the dark
Country of origin: France
“DOMINIC POWER”
Film: Medicine
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“Gino Sgreva”
Film: Shocking Marriage
Country of Origin: Italy
“ALI CHEHADE”
Film: The Hauntings in Madhya Pradesh
Country of Origin: India
Best Sound Nominees
“GUNJAN SRIVASTAVA”
Film: Dada Lakhmi
Country of Origin: India
“ALEJANDRO ORENGO”
Film: The Skin You're In
Country of Origin: United States
“DOMINIC POWER”
Film: Medicine
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“AURÉLIEN LEBOURG, OPHÉLIE BOULLY,
INGRID SIMON”
Film: Fires in the dark
Country of Origin: France
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
“SUSIE-MAY LYNCH”
Film: Out Of Time
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“PAULE VAN WIJNGAARDEN”
Film: Last Laugh
Country of Origin: Netherlands
“SHAUNA MILARD”
Film: Medicine
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“KAREN-EILEEN GORDON”
Film: Lost in Avalon
Country of Origin: United States
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
“LOGAN MAINIL”
Film: Mercy
Country of Origin: Canada
“BRYAN ENGLUND”
Film: Mercy
Country of Origin: Canada
“CILLIAN Ó'SÍOCHÁIN”
Film: Last Laugh
Country of Origin: Netherlands
“SANDEEP JL”
Film: Outrage
Country of Origin: United States
Best Leading Actress Nominees
“BÉKEFI VIKTÓRIA”
Film: Darking Way
Country of Origin: Hungary
“ANA GIRARDOT”
Film: Fires in the dark
Country of Origin: France
“LUCIANA LAMBERT”
Film: Lost in Avalon
Country of Origin: United States
“LAUREN SMITH”
Film: Medicine
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Best Leading Actor Nominees
“JOHNNY FARRELL”
Film: Billy
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“JEFF DAVIS”
Film: Outrage
Country of Origin: United States
SZABÓ MÁTÉ
Film: Darking Way
Country of Origin: Hungary
“IGOR VAN DESSEL”
Film: Fires In The Dark
Country of Origin: France