INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Members of the international jury was Iris Olsson (Finland), Maike Mia Höhne (Germany), Dieter Wiezcorek (France), Juhani Alanen (Finland) and Olga Konskaya (Russia).

PRIX UIP GRIMSTAD
PRIX UIP GRIMSTAD and 2000 euro for best European Short Film went to FIRE (Uguns), director Laila Pakalnina (Latvia). The winner is automatically nominated for the European Film Academy Short Film 2008.
Jury’s statement:
"For its dense and metaphoric imagery, the precision of film language and skilfully created important allusions to recent history of Europe. This film treats in a brilliant and humoresque style the traumatisms and absurdities on the way to cultural self-identity."

GRAND PRIX GRIMSTAD
GRAND PRIX GRIMSTAD of 2500 euro for best film in international competition was this year presented to the film THREE OF US, director Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni (India).
Jury’s statement:
"THREE OF US changes our view on a strongly disabled person from rejection to adoration and fascination in 15 minutes. It’s a film showing a family in rather difficult living condition not only finding their way of surviving, but inviting us to participate in their cosmos, characterized by a poesy of daily life in which every act seems meaningful and every gesture has its grace. Every scene has its signification inspired by an inner beauty and quietness, which we can only adore from far."

Honorary mentions went to
MERELY A SMELL (Moujarad Raiha), director Maher Abi Samra (Lebanon)
Jury’s statement:
"The film unravels in a poetic and filmic way the daily work, which has to be done in between the bombings. Few images and even less sound takes us inside of a routine in which in the end the car is always too small to carry so many coffins."

FAWN, director Christoph Rainer (Austria)
Jury’s statement:
"FAWN is a frightening look in the unconscious mental world, where reality is not represented but transformed by the human mind in a field of strange and often painful evocations of something, which we never can know, because we are existing in it."

I met the walrus, director Josh Raskin (Canada).
Jury’s statement:
"This short animation allows us to time travel to thoughts and statements we should not forget. Do it for peace!"

NORWEGIAN SHORT FILM
The jury for the Norwegian Short Film catagory was Unni Straume (Norway), Anna Karin Rynander (Sweden), Hilde Malme (Norway), Andres Mänd (Estonia) and Gunnar Germundsson (Norway).

General statement from the jury:
"The jury has emphasized form, willingness and ability to communicate a story that engages and which is suitable for the short film format, so that the piece of work stands independently in its own form. It is often the case that one has to make a lot of film to nurture good quality. We have noted that there is by large a lot of creativity and imagination out there. But our general impression is that there is a tendency towards a preference to create film rather than communicating a message.

We wish to point out to general tendencies. Many and strong submissions from female directors as well as a surprising number of good animation films."

THE GOLDEN CHAIR
THE GOLDEN CHAIR of 50 000 kroner went this year to BYGNINGSARBEIDERE, director Kajsa Næss. The award is presented by the Norwegian Film Institute.
Jury’s statement:
"The film has an elegant and dynamic use of animation. Good casting and convincing acting with first hand conversation about issues of existence set in relation to a world in chaos and dissolution. The film is surprising, entertaining and thought provoking."

TERJE VIGEN-AWARD
TERJE VIGEN-AWARD went to the film SUNDAY MORNINGS, director Jannicke Låker. The award is a bronze statute by Harald Ordeam, and presented by Grimstad City Council.
Jury’s statement:
"A tragic but comical story about tenderness and shocking honesty. A pure commentary about a culture and a time where the price of freedom is loneliness."

Honorary mentions went to:
VARDE, director Hanne Larsen
Jury’s statement:
"A gripping film about a child where status in the local boys gang affects a friendship. The film ends in one of the festival’s most tainted looks that sums up the gravity of the betrayal."

TYVSTART, director Leiv Igor Devold
Jury’s statement:
"An intimate and distrubing drama filled with authentic life, carried forward by strong acting."

XY, director David Reiss-Andersen
Jury’s statement:
"An intense and threatening game in an exciting study where time is dissolved."

NORWEGIAN DOCUMENTARY
Jury members for Norwegian documentary film was Even Benestad (Norway), Nazneen Khan-Østrem (Norway) and Eva Færevåg (Norway).

General statement from the jury:
"The pre-selected jury summed up this year’s impressions on documentary film production in three simple words: "Content over form."

That’s ok, but let us not makes it too simple.
In these thirteen productions we have seen material which has not been fully worked on, without vision or musicality, rendering the films’ potential unexploited.
We have also seen a tendency to overwork the material that clouds and distances our proximity to the characters.

Even so, we would like to thank you for the films you have made. This is good work. Norwegian documentary film has lifted its vision and is now able to work on complex themes. Global and universal issues are now found in Norwegian documentary film. We are able to work with close proximity without being narrow minded and with feeling without letting our emotions get the best of us…..

And so to the two films we have decided to honor and award. The films are very different, but what they have in common is that both directors have entered into long processes and developed relations to their characters but at the same time made conscious decisions about form which have made the films into great art.

Both films can communicate to a large audience and we wish we could issue out money to get these films extensively distributed.”

THE DOCUMENTARY FILM AWARD of 50 000 kroner for best documentary film goes to BLOD & ÆRE, director Håvard Bustnes. The award is presented by NRK.
Jury’s statement:
”The winner is in a class of it’s own. The director and his staff area ble to create associations and not conclusions. He is able to see and communicate and build relations, and changes us as viewers. The film masters the art of simplicity and all encompassing, which is something common for all great filming. We are taken into a rich universe with several layers – at the same time as the film creator approaches his characters with deep respect and generosity.

This is touching, funny and important. This director creates unforgettable film scenes and develops his main character."

Honorary mentions goes to LYKKENS GRODE, director Karoline Grindaker and Hilde Kjøs

Jury’s statement:
”We would like to honor this film because the directors have managed to create a gripping drama out of silence, distance and longing. We are witnesses to a family drama where two women fight a silent battle for their existence with themselves and each other. At the same time we witness a documentation of a Norwegian life style which is unknown to many, but is still familiar."

OTHER AWARDS

THE NORWEGIAN FILM WORKERS ASSOCIATION AWARD
Jury: Morten Skallerud, Kari Nytrø and Emil Trier
THE NORWEGIAN FILM WORKERS ASSOCIATION AWARD of 10 000 kroner went to Jannicke Johansen for her production design in the film EXISTO
Jury’s statement:
"The winner has through her craftsmanship managed to visualize an idea beyond the ordinary. The jury is impressed with how she has managed to create a believable elk fetus and an elk uterus throughout different stages. The illusion is perfect where the imagery reminds us of Lennart Nilssons photography of the human fetus.
The production design on Existo gives the project a wholesome unity and creates an interesting film."

THE HOUR GLASS
Jury: Monica Boracco Borring and Stein Ståle Berg.
The Norwegian Play Writers’ Assocation Award the THE HOUR GLASS of 10 000 kroner for best script went to Krzystof Sliwka for his script for the film TYVSTART.
Jury’s statement:
"The Norwegian Play Writers’ Association jury has taken notice to film willing to address difficult issues. The writer demonstrates an eye for dramatic refinement and an ability to move his audience. With insight and warmth, he builds his characters that grip us from the first scene. This year’s manuscript goes to a story about regaining what is lost, about reconciliation with the past and about courage to move forward alone."

Honorary mention is given to:
Kathinka Nicolaysen for the script for the film OH MY GOD!
Jury’s statement:
”The jury would like to honour a story that with wit and warmth seduces it’s audience. We are taken into the inner most secret room behind locked doors, and given a close and tender story about young girls awakending. Silverware will never be the same after this.”

Helene Torp for the script for the film Tro, håp og ærlighet.
Jury’s statement:
”The jury would like to focus on a story that challenges us with its play with conventional form and content. The ego meets reality in a witty and intelligent story about a marriage’s growth and fall. Helen Torp receives an honorary mention for the film Tro, håp og ærlighet."

THE ”FILMPOLITIETS” SHORT FILM AWARD of 10 000 went to EG SER DEG, EG SER DEG, director Chris Erichsen.

THE TALENT AWARD BY NORDIC FILM
Jury: Cornelia Boysen, Roy Anderson and Espen Skjetne.
THE TALENT AWARD BY NORDIC FILM went to the script writer and director Kjersti Steinsbø photographer Anna Myking.
Jury’s statement:
”Our goal is to help newly established young film creators to start a new short production, where we present our whole apparatus to the winners’ disposition for their next short film project, from developing their idea to the finished film and distribution.
We wish to encourage long standing relations and keep searching for collaborations we think are interesting and think should be given the opportunity to develop even further.
This year the award goes to two women who have collaborated together on no less than two films in this year’s festival program. The films are made with confident direction and precise photography as well a strong desire to communicate something to the audience. This is carried through with humor, precision and a hint of dissolution, and we look forward to following this collaboration further."

MUSIC VIDEO AWARD
The MUSIC VIDEO AWARD of 15 000 kroner is presented by the record industry’s interest organisations IFPI og FONO and was awarded to the music video RUNDT OG RUNDT, director Emilia Danilovic for Herreløse.
Jury’s statement:
"A well directed race in one single take. A nice presence by the characters and an organic unity. Rhythm and drive in the music is mirrored in the camera’s movement."

THE FILM CRITIC AWARD
Jury: Aleksander Huser, Le LD Nguyen and Britt Sørensen.
THE FILM CRITIC AWARD for best Norwegian short film competing went to SUNDAY MORNINGS, director Jannicke Låker.

Honorary mention went to MEIN STAMPF, director Martine Grande.

Jury’s statement:
"We wish to first mention a small and light documentary about large and tragic events, which gave the jury an appetite for animated dance documentaries. Honorary mentions goes to Mein Stampf or the Danceshow of the Last Century by Martine Grande.
Our winner also consists of a sort of dance. It is a solid and complete film that tells the story about a well known morning ritual that awakens both laughter and horror. Whilst the world is being conquered by sex and single life in Manhatten, it is liberating to be taken into the dark sides of single life in Berlin. The Norwegian Film Critics Award 2008 goes to Sunday Mornings by Jannicke Låker."

THE AUDIENCE AWARD is a distrubtion deal through the DVD-collection ”Norsk Kort 008” (Norwegian Film Institute. This year the award goes to the film LITEN KNUTE by Kjersti Steinsbø. The winner is voted on by the Short Film Festival audience.

Prix Uip Grimstad And 2000 Euros For Best European: “Tommy” Directed By: Ole Giæver

Grand Prix Grimstad And 2500 Euros For Best Film In The International Competition: “The Tube With A Hat” (Lampa Cu Caciula)
Directed By: Radu Jude (Romania)

The Golden Chair And 50 000 Nok: “Flatmates”
Directed By: Magnus Mork.

Terje Vigen-Award: “No Man's Land”
Directed By: Lowri Rees

Music Video Award And 15 000 Nok: “Singer/Songwriter”
Directed By: Janic Heen (For Artist Egil Olsen)

Honorary Mentions: “Life Worth Living”
Directed By: Eirik Svensson And Jyrki Väisänen,
“Janus”
Directed By: Linda Farerli And
“To The Moon”
Directed By: Katja Eyde Jacobsen

Documentary Film Award And 50 000 Nok For Best Documentary Film: “Porn Star?”
Directed By: John Sullivan

Honorary Mentions: “Girls”
Directed By: Hanne Myhren And
“Natural Born Star”
Directed By: Even Benestad

The Norwegian Playwrights' Associations Award The Hour Glass And 10 000 Nok For Best Script: Linda Fagerli Sæthren And Siri Røhr-Staff For Their Script For The Film “Janus” (Director Linda Fagerli Sæthren)

Honorary Mentions Given To Hannd Ramsdal For Her Script In The Film “Hangman” (Directed By Hanne Ramsdal And Cecilie Semec)

The Norwegian Film Workers' Association's Technical Award And 10 000 Nok Was Shared By Production Designer Guri Giæver And Costume Designer Jorunn Maria Djønne For Their Collaboration In The Film “Spandex Man” (Directed By I Bobby Peers)

The Film Critics Award For Best Norwegian Short Film In Competition: “Flatmates”
Directed By: Magnus Mork

The "Filmpolitiets" Short Film Award And 10 000 Nok: “Raspberry”
Directed By: Morgan Davidsen

The Talent Award From Nordic Film: “Tommy”
Directed By: Ole Giæver

The Audience Award: “Kilolirakis”
Directed By: Kent Jensen