KIIFF Team
Sep 3, 2022
2nd Kurdistan International Independent Film Festival 2022 - Nominees
Best Feature Film Nominees
“REMNANTS”
Writer, Director & Producer: Kevin Khachan
Country of Origin: Australia
Presented as cerebral puzzle using fragmented memories, we piece together the events surrounding a cursed inheritance.
“MOTHER OF APOSTLES”
Director: Zaza Buadze
Writers: Ratha Makeenkova, Zaza Buadze
Producer: Dmytro Ovechkin
Country of Origin: Ukrain
In 2014, Sofia's peaceful life was invaded by the war, when she received a news informing her that the humanitarian plane that her son was flying was shot down over the occupied territory, where there is war.
After receiving an unsatisfactory response from the military regarding her son's life, she packs a small suitcase and travels to the occupied territory, to find her son.
Sofia understands the danger, however is determined to find her son. While traveling by bus, at the border, she gets saved from the militants by a local resident - Fedir.
Fedir treats Sofia with sympathy, takes care of her and agrees to help her with finding her son. Sofia finds out from Fedir that the pilots are being hunted by the russian mercenary by the name of Malahin and his squad, as you can trade a pilot for a russian officer from the ukrainian side, or get a hefty bounty from the russian side. However, Malahin is not the only one on the bounty hunt for pilots, as is the local mercenary leader by the nickname Coyote, who used to be a local detective that chose to travel on the mercenary path, for monetary gain, and is not afraid to go against Malahin.
The news channels have shared a news story, that Coyote has picked up a wounded pilot, and placed him in a local hospital under his own security. Sofia, not minding the risk, runs to the hospital. At the same time, Malahin travels to the hospital, and has a conflict with Coyote.
Disguised as a nurse, Sofia goes past the security and ends up in the same room as the wounded. He turns out to be a friend of her son, one of the members of the plane crew that got shot down. Sofia decides to get the wounded out of the hospital as soon as possible. With help of Fedir, they are able to get him out, however, during the chase, Fedir is wounded. They end up in an empty village engulfed in war, in Fedir's parents house.
Sofia, understanding the danger of staying too long in this village, got in contact with ukrainian scouts and handed over the wounded to them, and they transported him to Ukraine.....
“PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER ZERO”
(L Ennemi Public Numéro Zéro)
Writer, Director & Producer: Amalric GERARD
Country of Origin: France
André is looking for money for Rett Syndrome Investigation, Antoine will help him with humor.
“NOT TO FORGET”
Writer, Director & Producer: Valerio Zanoli
Country of Origin: United States
After a life of little scams, a self-centered millennial is sentenced to take care of his grandmother, who is affected by Alzheimer's. As he realizes the extent of her wealth, the protagonist gets closer to the treasure he's been looking for.
Best Feature Documentary Nominees
“PUSHING BOUNDARIES”
Writer & Director: Lesia Kordonets
Producer: Karin Koch
Country of Origin: Switzerland, Ukrain
PUSHING BOUNDARIES accompanies athletes from the Ukrainian Paralympic National Team who have lost their training base in Crimea due to the Russian annexation. They try to adapt to the new historic conditions in their private as well as in their professional lives and to qualify for the next games.
The film shows people who grow beyond their physical limits on a daily basis while around them political boundaries are pushed back and forth. And the country they represent at international competitions is invalided by the amputation of its territories.
“STILL SUFFERING”
Director: Diana Puzikova
Writer: Steven Berez
Producers: Steven Berez, Sydney Scarlet Rangeley, De Shaun Harris
Country of Origin: United States
A documentary film on how millions of Americans and the world population were painfully affected, due to the restrictions of COVID-19.
The film tells the story of millions by a handful and also features an exclusive interview with Dr. Ryan Azcueta.
Dr. Azcueta is the Deputy Director of AMI and their top Infectious Disease Expert.
He had a major part to play in solving the Ebola crisis and headed up the first responder team of the first major outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States at the nursing home facility in Kirkland, Washington.
Countless people lost friends, co-workers, and family during this historical time period, which banned hospital visits. So many were denied farewell words, holding their loved one’s hands to support them, prior to as well as in the last minutes of their lives.
One of the many important messages of this documentary film is to appreciate & be grateful for what you have, hold no grudges, and love your family.
“THE DESIRE TO LIVE”
Writer & Director: Mariam Avetisyan
Producer: Peter Bahlawanian
Country of Origin: Armenia
Stories of the indigenous people of Artsakh, after the recent 44 day war with Azerbaijan and suffering a devastating loss of lives and land. The desire to live is really a right to live on their lands and be protected by the threat of war, genocide and crimes against their humanity.
“IRON KHAN”
Writer & Director: Naseer Khanday
Producer: Oren Rosenfeld
Country of Origin: India
Parvez Khan Alias “Iron Khan" aka ‘Raja’ was an Area Commander of JKLF (Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) in the early Nineties fighting an armed rebellion against India for Freedom. His younger brother Tariq Khan was killed by a rival Pro-Pakistani group and that is when he decided to live a non-violent life for the future of his family.
He started a backpacker’s lodge in the ski village of Gulmarg. A popular tourist destination between travelers. Dedicating his life to peace and channeling his energy in cooking for people. Growing up amongst international riders his elder son ‘Dada’ caught on to snowboarding at an early age. Dada started guiding foreign riders on the mountain living in the hut. Ashraf the younger son on the other hand fully administered and supervised operations at the lodge. The trio of the father and sons together become a sustainable team finally gaining traction in the tourist industry. However not for long as the GDA (Gulmarg Development Authority) deems them Illegal and seals the hut. A start of some of the most frustrating times for Parvaiz Khan and Family.
Best Short Film Nominees
“JUNE”
Writer & Director: Dwayne Cameron
Producers: Sarah James, Dwayne Cameron
Country of Origin: New Zealand
June is a story about the fragility of life; the primal forces that drive and control us and the mystery of hope and new beginnings. Willow and David receive a serious diagnosis from their doctor and attempt to deal with the mundane as their world disintegrates in the following 24 hours. This one day in June for the couple holds raw despair, unleashing carnal natures but a transcendent occurrence offers them the hope of new life.
“ANXIETY OVERCOME”
Writer, Director & Producer: Philippe Hamelle
Country of Origin: Luxembourg
After winning a hard battle against depression, Oliver now suffers from insurmountable and inexplicable fear. After much reluctance, he finally consults with a psychotherapist hoping to find the diagnosis and answers he needs. It's the beginning of an unexpected and extraordinary journey for him.
“THE GUEST”
Director: Asger Sisseck
Writer: Bashar El-Zouheiri
Producer: Letizia Suenson
Country of Origin: Denmark
Fares is a former Iraqi refugee of war, who spends his life driving night taxi in the streets of Copenhagen. Despite having lived in Denmark for many years, he remains in touch with his estranged wife by the occasional phone call and sending money to her home in Iran. Even though she has pleaded for them to reunite, Fares remains hesitant to do so, due to still struggling with his traumas. But when he is taken hostage by the desperate young Kasper, who is seeking to repay his drug dept, Fares is forced to not only be Kaspers designated driver for the night, but also to confront his past.
“COGNITION”
Director: Ravi Ajit Chopra
Writers: Gavin McClenaghan, Ravi Ajit Chopra
Producers: Ravi Ajit Chopra, Colin Goudie, Michael Wood, Michael R Demmerle, Zhe Zhang, John Lesand, Zein Kurdi, Rob van den Bragt
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
The story follows a son's (Jeremy Irvine) psychological journey as he confronts his past trauma to reconnect with the father he loves (Andrew Scott).
Best Short Documentary Nominees
“ALASKA LONG HUNTERS”
Writer & Director: Mark D. Rose
Producers: Isaac Rush, Mark D. Rose
Country of Origin: United States
This story follows the life of a young pilot who flew in Alaska’s frontier arctic. Experience the front-seat thrills of bush planes and helicopters operating in the most dangerous conditions on earth, airborne among the magnificent mountains, glaciers and rivers that only Alaska has to offer. Includes true-life experiences of accidents, comradeship, humor and heartbreak of life in early Alaska, gone forever when dismantled into parks in the 1980’s. Based on the book Last of the Long Hunters by Mark Rose, the scene opens with an early history of the Great Land and those that lived in it through interviews with several life-long Alaskans, including Hilda Lidner, Ray Atkins and Gale Ranney to name a few. Leading up to the introduction of the authors use of a new tool of transport – the single engine airplane, but not without extracting a terrible price. Experience what it was like to growing up among the dangerous game, hunting the massive caribou herds and absorbing the greatness of the county…
“DIGGING FOR LIFE”
Writer & Director: Joao Queiroga
Producers: Tome Assoue, Nevo Shinar, Pochi Tamba
Country of Origin: Cameroon
When a young Cameroonian man attempts to pursue the dream of a better life in post-apartheid South Africa, he instead finds himself trapped as a slave in Angola.
“MALPELO: MOUNTAIN OF SHARKS”
Writer, Director & Producer: Kevin Mannens
Country of Origin: United States
Days away from the closest land, lies a mythical underwater volcano. Beneath the waves: a bonanza of life. Massive shoals of fish darken the water and hundreds of sharks patrol the seamount.
But like all wild places, this one too is in grave danger. Illegal fishing and sharkfinning might soon deplete this natural wonder and UNESCO heritage site of its natural wonders.
“THE HISTORY OF BANDERA PT.II”
Writer, Director & Producer: Dakota Wortman
Country of Origin: United States
Four incredible men share a personal experience for the town of Bandera, Texas and what they do for their community.
Best Short Animation Nominees
“OUR PIGGY”
Writer, Director & Producer: Jaromír Plachý
Country of Origin: Czechia
Our piglet is still experiencing some adventure. Discover the magic of vacuum cleaners, wires or the fact that things sometimes buzz. Rediscover the world! According to the books of the same name, there is now an animated miniseries for the youngest and even those who have already learned to walk and talk. Our piggy is yours too!
“SHADOWLAND”
Writer, Director & Producer: Bellopropello
Country of Origin: Switzerland
The diverse communication options offered by a cell phone influence our social and consumer behavior. Excessive use changes the design of “head-down people’s” life and lifestyle habits.
“MIRIAM”
Writer, Director & Producer: Radu Nicolae
Country of Origin: Romania
Miriam, a 12 yr old tomboy, is sitting in the kitchen, with her mom, in the morning. Their conversation reflects the difference between generations, ages, ways of thinking. Miriam’s mother, only wishing the best for Miriam, tries to mold her into the ideal image of her generation of decades ago, wearing a skirt, having nice legs, speaking and behaving properly with the purpose of finding a husband (seemingly, the ideal for every girl), the 12 yr old Miriam, now in 2021, is at ease knowing what SHE wants to do with her life, and, for the moment, that is to play soccer.
The conversation is entirely humorous. The little girl is using all the normal child tricks. With a serene face, she assures her mother that she does not play soccer, and when her friends call her out to play, she seems amazed that they know her name, claiming it is just another child with the same name.
“THE SPRAYER”
Directors: Farnoosh Abedi, Mohammad Ghaffari
Writers: Pegah Fardiar, Farnoosh Abed
Producers: Mohammad Reza Karimi Saremi, Negah Khezre Fardiar, Mohammad Ghaffari
Country of Origin: Iran
In the land occupied with the sprayers army, no one has the right to grow any kind of plants either in public or private.
So many of the people and soldiers do not even know how dose a plant grows or look like, until one day one of the soldiers finds a seed buried deep down in the dust and his curiosity is just the beginning of something extraordinary, something big, something revolutionary.
Best Feature Screenplay Nominees
“BLOODLINE BLUES”
Writer: Kimberly Fisher
Country of Origin: United States
Carl Harris is a book bright boy with an extremely high IQ, but growing up in a dysfunctional family, and admiring a criminal minded uncle, he follows his lead and runs a drug block called 'King' at his inner city Jr. High School. It's not until he meets a principal that's been down the juvenile road path, that he decides to change his ways of of thinking, and doing. He becomes a student with a purpose, just like his principal, but will his uncle allow him to get out of the game when he's promoted him to be a boss of the 'Bloodline'?
“QUEEN OF MARS”
Writer: George Washington Orange III
Country of Origin: United States
An arrogant prince seeks the unrequited love of a haughty Martian queen, discovering their destiny as star-crossed lovers and rulers of the red planet.
“LOVE UNKNOWN”
Writer: Alex Stathis
Country of Origin: United States
Colonies of Mars circa 2118. In a hover car, ROBERT CONSTANTINE a.k.a. AK-47, an Android Killer, and his partner, BILLY CHESTWICK a.k.a. AK-48, are ordered by LIEUTENANT THOMAS WALTERS to kill an android on the loose, but once they apprehend the culprit Robert can’t kill him, so Billy does.
Later, Robert returns home and is greeted by his holographic computer program girlfriend, LILI (Love Interface Localhost Interpreter). After, he imagines their first date. He opens his eyes and learns that LILI has transcended (transferred her programming) into a replica android of her holographic body and is now a physical being.........
“2ND DATE”
Writer: Jaik Andino
Country of Origin: United States
After a traumatic childhood, the loyalty of two best friends is put to the test to discover how far they are willing to go to find the love of their lives.
Two hopeless romantics are searching for love in their 30’s. Despite having been best friends their whole lives, Jaik and Wyatt are still struggling with being with and without each other. After their group date colossal failure, Jaik and Wyatt realize they need professional help. A Matchmaker, Callie, and her Native American social media expert, Maeve, set Jaik and Wyatt on a zany quest that will test their bravery (and friendship). 2nd Date is fueled by an electrifying soundtrack of new hits and old favorites synced to everything from monster truck mudding to death-defying leaps while being chased on horseback. While rooting for the hearts of these two young men, we see love persevere throughout the story, praying that one day, after all of the chaos, it makes its way to Jaik and Wyatt to get their 2nd Date.
Best Short Screenplay Nominees
“NATURES LAW”
Writer: Robbie Buckley
Country of Origin: United States
Man was meant to live but not to survive... In an apocalyptic future, a guilt fuelled scientist fights to protect what is left behind.
“THE ARTIST”
Writer: Elyssa Catalfano
Country of Origin: United States
An artist chooses to be closed off from the world, but when notices a dancer move in across the street, he gains the courage to interact with her and the outside world from his window.
“FATAL AMBITION”
Writer: Angel Connell
Country of Origin: United States
A politically ambitious district attorney pursuing a serial murderer is confronted by the killer himself with a demand that the DA publicly retract her false yet exploitative claim about a crime he never committed.
“A Moment. I Remember”
Writer: Ruth Finnegan
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
A man and a woman, once passionate lovers, accidentally meet after 40 years apart and with pain unravel deeply hurtful misunderstandings in their past. She longs to hear just one mention from him of ‘love’, something that would turn her life from a desert to ‘a road of gold’. He starts to speak but does not finish as he has to rush for his train ( matter of life and death the other end). We are left uncertain if they are ever able to meet again.
Best Director Nominees
“ZAZA BUADZE”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
“VALERIE ZANOLI”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
“FAYSAL SOYSAL”
Film: Silenced Tree
Country of Origin: Türkiye
“KEVIN KHACHAN”
Film: Remnants
Country of Origin: Australia
Best Leading Actor Nominees
“DWAYNE CAMERON”
Film: June
Country of Origin: New Zealand
“KEVIN HARDESTY”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
“JEREMY IRVINE”
Film: Cognition
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“OLEKSANDR POZHARSKY”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
Best Leading Actress Nominees
“YUNJIA XING”
Film: Ye and Guouo
Country of Origin: China
“JESSI MAY STEVENSON”
Film: Isn’t that just my life
Country of Origin: United States
“NATALIA POLOVINKA”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
“KAREN GRASSLE”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
Best Supporting Actor Nominees
“JINHAO GUO”
Film: Ye and Guouo
Country of Origin: China
“LUC CHESSEL”
Film: Taking The Desert
Country of Origin: Switzerland
“BOGDAN BENYUK”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
“ANDREW SCOTT”
Film: Cognition
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Best Supporting Actress Nominees
“DANIELE EVENOU”
Film: Public Enemy Number Zero (L Ennemi Public Numéro Zéro)
Country of Origin: France
“NAHEL TZEGAI”
Film: A Birthday Party
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“JENN KIRK”
Film: Remnants
Country of Origin: Australia
“DANIELE GASPART”
Film: Anxiety Overcome
Country of Origin: Luxembourg
Best DOP Nominees
“JASON VON DRAYCO”
Film: Remnants
Country of Origin: Australia
“MASSIMO ZERI”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
“HERVE CHARRAZAC”
Film: Public Enemy Number Zero (L Ennemi Public Numéro Zéro)
Country of Origin: France
“TOM PHILLIPS”
Film: Chasing the Dead Requiem
Country of Origin: United States
Best Editor Nominees
“OLEKSIY SHAMIN”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
“MARLENA IANNI, JASON VON DRAYCO”
Film: Remnants
Country of Origin: Australia
“AMALRIC GÉRARD”
Film: Public Enemy Number Zero (L Ennemi Public Numéro Zéro)
Country of Origin: France
“CHEN ZHIJUN, SU ZHAOZHE”
Film: Ye and Guouo
Country of Origin: China
Best Original Score Nominees
“MARCO DEL BENE”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
“SAMUEL KARL BOHN”
Film: Cognition
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“KAINA”
Film: Malpelo: Mountain Of Sharks
Country of Origin: United States
“MITSUO KURIHARA”
Film: The Haunted Jizo of Shimo-Mizuno, Sayama City
Country of Origin: Japan
Best Sound Nominees
“FARID MBAYDIN, YEVHENII PRYKASHCHYKOV,
VLADIMIR TRETYAKOV”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
“LUKE FULLER”
Film: Remnants
Country of Origin: Australia
“RADU NICOLAE”
Film: Miriam
Country of Origin: Romania
“M.S. ARAVIND, RAMJI SOMA”
Film: The Great Man (Maamanithan)
Country of Origin: India
Best Costume Designer Nominees
“SUSAN DUDLEY, JANIS MSTERS YON”
Film: Not To Forget
Country of Origin: United States
“SEENU RAMASAMY”
Film: The Great Man (Maamanithan)
Country of Origin: India
“HEIDI MILLER”
Film: Cognition
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
“MARIIA KERO”
Film: Mother of Apostles
Country of Origin: Ukrain
Best Screenwriter Nominees
“CHELITA HAGAN, MICHAEL HAGAN, ANTHONY LANE III”
Screenplay: Planet Imagination
Country of Origin: United States
“DAVID ANTHONY ESTRINGEL”
Screenplay: Roadkill
Country of Origin: United States
“MARTIN K ZITTER”
Screenplay: The Truth Serum
Country of Origin: United States
“LEONARD JACK MEENACH”
Screenplay: Emergency
Country of Origin: Australia