The Best South African Feature Film was awarded to Shirley Adams, directed by first-time filmmaker Oliver Hermanus. The jury praised the film's “true excellence in performance, cinematography, directing, and editing”. Calling it a South African masterpiece, the jury commented: “Through a meticulously observed minimalism, the film tackles numerous relevant social issues with both subtlety and a mature sensitivity. Its themes of love, human endurance, and forgiveness are universal, and give it audience appeal both locally and abroad.” The Best First Feature Film was also awarded to Shirley Adams . The Jury noted: “ Shirley Adams is a special movie in which the director takes a number of risks. Moving his camera around as if it was an extra character in the story, he follows his main actress ceaselessly. The result is a powerful movie with great emotions that works all the more since the emotions mostly stay beneath the surface. And these emotions are definitely felt by the viewer.”

The International Jury comprised filmmakers Tunde Kelani ( Nigeria ) and Cheick Oumar Sissoko ( Mali ), actress Rosie Tebogo Motene ( South Africa ) and Gert Jan Zuilhof (The Netherlands), programmer at International Film Festival Rotterdam. The jury awarded the Best Director award to Philippe Lioret for Welcome ( France ). “Lioret has made a remarkable film about the brutal and tragic reality of immigration. The gamut of human experiences and emotions are represented through his excellent direction of his actors Vincent Lindon and Firat Ayverdi,” the Jury said.

The Documentary Film Jury picked two music-themed films for Best Documentary and Best South African Documentary. Intangible Asset No 82 (Australia/Japan) by Emma Franz, was awarded Best Documentary. The jury commented: “In her directorial debut, which explores the journey of a jazz drummer determined to meet a shaman and grandmaster musician, Emma Franz connects with two very different worlds in such an imaginative and compelling way that deepens our appreciation of diverse cultural forms and shows us how we can become immeasurably enriched when we open up ourselves to different cultural experiences.” The Best South African Documentary was awarded to The Silver Fez, directed by Lloyd Ross, for its “fascinating depiction of a duel between two men from opposite ends of the social spectrum as they compete for a coveted music trophy.” “Having gained the trust of the two competing factions, the director and his camera captures all the textures of this battle - its impact on individuals, families and community. Within the beautiful melodies and musical refrains lurks a tale of unfulfilled dreams, passion, pride and revenge.”

The Short Film Jury awarded Best Short Film to A Better Life (Spain), directed by Luis Fernandez Reneo, a tale of immigrant smuggling on the USA-Mexico border, praising its authenticity, fantastic acting by its child stars and a story, which despite its locale, resonated with African viewers. The Best South African Short Film was awarded to Coming Home, directed by Bobby Heaney, starring television actor Hlomla Dandala and based on a story by young writer/actress Amber Jay van Rooyen. The jury called the film “touching, with a deep, sincere story and a strong message of personal strength.”

Special Mention Documentary : Sea Point Days (South Africa), directed by Francois Verster and Nollywood Babylon (Canada), directed by Ben Addelman and Samir Mallal.

Special Mention Short Film: Miss Sgodiphola ( South Africa ), directed by Andy “The Admiral” Kasrils

Audience Choice Best Film Award: Saving Luna ( Canada ), directed by Suzanne Chisholm and Michael Parfit … ... through its story of a lost Orca named Luna, veiwers discover an emotional connection between human and animal which calls into question the present understanding of human-to-nature relationships.

Wavescapes Surf Film Festival Audience Award: Surfica Musica ( Australia ), directed by Mick Sowry … ... a melodic surfing documentary that resonates with the spiritual duet between a violin virtuoso and surfing provocateur as they embark upon a radical experiment to explore creative expression.

Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award : Rough Aunties (United Kingdom/South Africa), directed by Kim Longinotto. “This affecting documentary is about an Amanzimtoti-based NGO, Operation Bobbi Bear and its small group of remarkable workers, mostly women, who battle to rescue and rehabilitate young victims of abuse and courageously pursue the perpetrators to bring them to justice. This film is expertly constructed from intimate footage of the different environments people live in, and the things that they say or struggle to say, resulting in a movie that is both authentic and compelling.”

The Best South African Documentary winner is: "Shamiela’s House"

directed by Robyn Rorke

And the Best International Documentary winner is:

"Angel’s in the Dust"

directed by Louise Hogarth

Almost 6000 festival goers voted in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. The Audience Award referee was Professor Tim Dunne, Head of Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town.

The Top 3 South African Films are:

1. "Shamiela’s House" directed by Robyn Rorke

2. "Zulu Surf Riders" directed by Andrè Cronje and Carlos Francisco

3. "The Shaman’s Apprentice" directed by Catherine Winter

The Top 3 International Films are:

1. "Angels in the Dust" directed by Louise Hogarth

2. "Iron Ladies of Liberia" directed by Siatta Scott Johnson and Daniel Junge

3. "Stranded – I’ve come from a plane that crashed on the mountains" directed by Gonzalo Arijon

“Encounters values the Audience Awards as they are a gauge of audience tastes and preferences. We are grateful to our festival-goers that attended the screenings, gave critical input to the filmmakers through our Q&A and panel discussions and voted for our Audience Award. It has become evident that South Africa has the capacity to grow an intelligent and engaged documentary film audience. We will continue with the Awards which give us insight when selecting for next year, “said festival director Mandisa Zitha.

The 10th edition of Encounters ended last weekend with full houses in Cape Town. The Festival enjoyed great attendances at the Industry events in both Johannesburg and Cape Town.

The Golden Impala Award: "Subira"

Directed by Ravneet Chadha.

"Subira" is the story of an 11 year old rebellious girl that struggles against her mother's wishes in order to break free from the norms of society.

Second Place tied with "Confession"

Directed by: Daddy Youssouf

and "Extracts from Me"

Directed by: Willie Owus.

"Confession" is a move about a man, psychologically tormented by something so grave he did in the past, he decides to go to a confessional. After talking to a priest, he doesn’t feel any better and he adopts an original way of asking for forgiveness…

"Extract from Me" is a short film about a woman who has been raped, her ordeal and how she has to cope with the aftermath.

Best Feature Film: "RIZA"

directed by Tayfun Pirselimo_lu

Mahmut Tali Ongoren Special Award: "MUTLULUK"

directed by Abdullah O_uz

Best Director: TAYFUN PIRSELIMOGLU for "RIZA"

Best Actress: FADIK SEVIN ATASOY

Best Actor: YETKIN DIKINCILER

Best Supporting Actress: NURSEL KOSE and PATRYCIA ZIOLKOWSKA

Best Supporting Actor: TUNCEL KURTIZ

Onat Kutlar Best Script Award: FATIH AKIN (with the film "YASAMIN KIYISINDA")

Best Cinematography: MIRSAD HEROVIC (with the film "MUTLULUK")

Best Art Direction: NATALI YERES (with the film "RIZA")

MESAM Best Music Award: ZULFU LIVANELI (with the film "MUTLULUK")

Best Editing: ANDREW BIRD (with the film "YASAMIN KIYISINDA")

Best Promising Director: INAN TEMELKURAN

Best Promising Actress: SAADET ISIL AKSOY

Best Promising Actor: FERIT KAYA

Best Promising Scriptwriter: DERSU YAVUZ ALTUN

Best Short Film (Fiction): "LA"

directed by Elif Nur Kerkuk

Best Short Film (Experimental): "AYNANIN ICINDEKI CADILAR"

directed by Ozgur Ozcan

Best Short Film (Animation): "ZLIN CORBASI"

directed by Akile Nazli Kaya

Short Film Jury Special Award: "OYUN"

directed by Serhat Furtuna

Best Documentary (Amateur): "BUZLAR KIRILINCA" directed by Caner Erzincan and Mevlut Ciftci

Second Best Documentary (Amateur): "GOLUN KADINLARI"

directed by Emine Emel Balci

Third Best Documentary (Amateur): "SON KUMSAL" directed by Ruya Arzu Koksal

Special Jury Award: "VOLGA VOLGA"

directed by Aysegul Taskent

Best Documentary (Professional): "OTEL ODALARI"

directed by Sevinc Yesiltas

Second Best Documentary (Professional): "IBRET OLSUN DIYE"

directed by Necati Sonmez

Third Best Documentary (Professional): "KAYBEDEBILME KABILIYETI"

directed by Ender Yesildag

Professional Documentary Jury Special Award: "DEVRIMCI GENCLIK KOPRUSU"

directed by Bahriye Kabadayi

Gold: Khdija Leclere for the film "Sarah

Silver: Waleed al Shehhi for the film "Haresat al Ma’a" (The Water Guard)

Bronze: Lotfi Achour for the film "El Ezz" (Garbage)

Documentary:

Gold: Karim Goury for the film "Soneaa fi Masr" (Made in

Egypt)

Silver: Buthina Canaan Khoury for the film "Magharat Maria" (Maria’s Grotto)

Bronze: Nassri Hajjaj for the film "Dhil al Gheyab" (Shadow of Absence)

Feature Film:

Gold: Phillippe Aractingi for the film "Taht el Qasef" (Under the Bombs)

Silver: Nouri Bouzid for the film "Akher Film" (Making Of),

Bronze: Abdellatif Kechiche for the film "La Graine et le Mulet" (The Secret of the Grain)

Best Composer: Nejib Charradi for the film "Akher Film" (Making Of)

Best Actress: Nada Abou Fahat for the film "Under the Bombs"

Best Actor: Nadim Sawalha for the film "Captain Abu Raed"

Best Screenplay: "Borhane Alaouie" for the film Khalass

Best Editor: France Duez for the film "Khalass"

Best Cinematographer: Pierre Boffety ffor the film "Burnt Hearts"

Best Emirati Talent: Mohammed Saeed Harib for the film "Freej series"

Best Emirati Female Filmmaker: Nayla Al Khaja

Best Emirati Filmmaker: Ali Mostafa.

Lors de la cérémonie de clôture, à laquelle ont assisté notamment le ministre de la communication, porte-parole du gouvernement, M. Khalid Naciri, et la ministre de la culture, Mme Touria Jabrane, ont également été distingués les films "The Hard-Hearted" du réalisateur russe Alexey Mizgirev et "Slingshot" du cinéaste philippin Brillante Ma Mendoza qui ont remporté ex aequo le Prix du Jury.

Le Prix de la meilleure interprétation féminine est revenu à l'actrice Yu Yun-mi pour son rôle dans le film "With a girl Of Black Soil'', oeuvre du réalisateur sud coréen Jeon Soo Il (2007).

Et c'est l'acteur Tommi Korpela qui a remporté le Prix de la meilleure interprétation masculine pour sa prestation dans le film "Man's Job'' réalisé par le finlandais Aleksi Salmenpera (2007).

"Il n'a pas été facile de trancher entre des films très différents représentants des cultures diverses" a révélé le président du Jury Milos Forman lors de la cérémonie de clôture à la quelle a pris part une pléiade d'artistes et de cinéastes marocains et étrangers et un public très nombreux.

Le choix a été difficile et les délibérations se sont passées dans un climat de franchise et d'honnête, a-t-il poursuivi, ajoutant que le principal était de participer.

Il a par la suite félicité la Fondation du FIFM pour la bonne organisation de cette manifestation et l'accueil chaleureux réservés aux participants.

Les récipiendaires, très émus, se sont dit très honorés et très heureux d'être consacrés par cette 7-ème édition du Festival International du Film de Marrakech (FIFM).

Pour cette 7-ème édition du FIFM, 15 longs métrages étaient encompétition notamment "Actrices'' de Valéria Bruni Tedschi (France),"The Red Awn'' de Cai Shangjun (Chine), "Autumn Ball'' de Veiko Ounpuu(Estonie), "Funuke Show Some Love You losers'' de Daihachi Yoshida(Japon), "GrandHotel'', de David Ondricek (Serbie), "Les Jardins deSamira'', de Latif Lahlou (Maroc), "Man's Job'' de Aleksi Salmenpera (Finlande), "Slingshot'' de Brillante Ma Mendoza (Philippines).

Etaient également en lice "The Hard Hearted'' de Alexey Mizgirev(Russie) ,"The Savage'' de Tamara Jenkins( USA), "L'envers du Miroir''de Nadia Cherabi (Algérie), "The Trap'' de Sdran Golubovic (Serbie),"Wolfsbergen'' de Nanouk Leopold ( Pays bas), "With A Girl of BlackSoil'', de Jeon Soo Il (Corée du Sud) et "Used Parts'' , de AaronFernandez (Mexique France). Le jury, présidé par le réalisateur tchèqueMilos Forman était également composé de Hamid Bennani ( Réalisateur,scénariste et producteur -Maroc) John Hurt (comédien -Grande Bretagne,)Shekhar kapur (réalisateur et comédien -Inde), Pavel Lounguine(réalisateur, scénariste et producteur -Russie), Aissa Maiga(comédienne -France) Claude Miller (réalisateur et scénariste -France)Parker Posey (comédienne -USA) et Aintana Sanchez Gijon (comédienne-Espagne).

Plus de 110 films ont été projetés dans le cadre de cette 7-èmeédition du FIFM organisé, sous le haut patronage de SM le Roi MohammedVI, du 7 au 15 courant.

Director: Veiko Ounpuu (Estonia)

Jury Prize: "The Hard-Hearted"

Director: Alexey Mizgirev (Russia)

"Slingshot"

Director: Brillante Ma Mendoza (Phillipines)

Best Female Role: Yu Yun-mi for her role in "With a girl Of Black Soil''

Director: Jeon Soo Il (South Korea)

Best Male Role: Tommi Korpela for his role in "Man's Job'' Director: Aleksi Salmenpera (Finland)

Silver Award: "THE ENGLISHMAN"

Directed by: IAN SELLER

Produced by: MECHANICAL FILMS LTD (U.K)

Prize: 6.000$ (shared between the director and the producer)

To the film succeeds in telling the story of an inner conflict in subtle, delicate images, without having recourse to narration. Conveying how Western man creates his own prisons, it portrays three characters: two of them refugees who have recently arrived in England and a third, native-born, who is even more alienated than they are.

Feature Digital Films Prizes

Golden Award: "LITTLE MOTH"

Directed by: PENG TAO

Produced by: NEW YOUTH INDEPENDENT FILM STUDIO (CHINA)

Prize: 10.000$ (shared between the director and the producer)

This film represents the best sort of utilization of digital technology to make a politically pointed and engaged film that looks at its society with an unflinching eye. This film tells a powerful story with great cinematic skill, and does so without manipulating the audience's emotions.

Special Mention: "Caramel"

Directed by: Nadine Labaki (Lebanon)

For its refined craftsmanship and sensitive ensemble of acting.

Special Mention: "The Seventh Heaven"

Directed by: Saad Hendawy (Egypt)

For its vivid portrayal of a life affirming spirituality.

The Prize for the Best Arabic Film: "Waiting for Pasolini"

Directed by: Daoud Aoulad-Syad

Produced by: Les Films Du Sud (Morocco)

Prize: 100.000 Egyptian Pounds

Presented by the Ministry of Culture To the Producer

The Award for best Arab film goes to a work with an authentic theme depicting the influence of cinema on the lives of a group of marginalized beings giving them the opportunity to understand new ideas for a better life.

The International Critics Prize

FIPRESCI Prize (Presented to the Director): JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL for his Film: "OPERA" (Mexico)

The film that explains nothing verbally and says everything visually, it is the cinematic language, the length of the setting, the timing ,the use of music , the movement of the two protagonists in rooms and landscape s, which identify the director as a great talent of modern cinema. The International Critics Prize, awarded by FIPRESCI, the Federation International de la Presse.

Special Mention for the Actor: Mathew Beard for his role in Film: "AND WHEN DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER"

Directed by: Anand Tucker (U.K)

The Prize For the Best Artistic Contribution (presented to the Directo : DERVIS ZAIM

In the Film: WAITING FOR HEAVEN (TURKEY)

This was the film that expressed in the most faithful way the thoughts and heart of the myths of its subject matter and of the book it was based on.

Naguib Mahfouz Prize- The Best first work of a Director: JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL for his film "OPERA" (MEXICO)

Only after this film had been running for about ten minutes did I realize I was putting my expectations into a work that was deliberately defying the general rules of the medium - and that kind of daring and creativity is very rare. I really believe this is a young first time film-maker with an extraordinary future. I already want to see his next movie.

Saad El-Din Wahba Prize- The Prize for the Best Screenwriter: ALBERT TER HEERDT for the Film "KICKS"

Directed by: ALBERT TER HEERDT (THE NETHERLANDS)

This was a film that was also runner up in three other categories. It is a cleverly structured script covering some of the most difficult, delicate and painful situations and it does it with wit and compassion and happy surprises - A very clever piece of work.

The Prize for the Best Actor: ALBERT DUPONTEL

For his role in Film: "L'ENNEMI INTIME" (INTIMATE ENEMY)

Directed by: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI (FRANCE)

You think something strange cannot happen twice and then of course it does and that is the case now. Best actor votes were handed in and there was a difference of one point - it was that close. Stranger still both actors were in the same film. That tiny difference made all the difference.

The Prize for the Best actress- Shared between

The Actress: MARINA MAGRO SOTO for her role in Film "OPERA"

Directed by: JUAN PATRICIO RIVEROLL (MEXICO)

AND

The Actress: TATIANA LUTAEVA for her role in Film "FULL SCOPE"

Directed by: VALERY PENDRAKOVSKY (Russia)

This was a very difficult prize to single out. There were so many wonderful and complex female characters in the movies. It took a lot of deliberation until finally someone said, ‘It might help if we had a draw’. So the prize is shared equally between a very young woman starring in her first film and a beautiful performance by an established actress.

The Prize for the Best Director: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI for his film "L'ENNEMI INTIME" (FRANCE)

Of course this film was brought to life by everyone involved but finally they had to bow to the ultimate vision of the director, which showed the talent of a true film-maker.

The Special Jury Prize- The Silver Pyramid Presented to the Director: IN THE NAME OF GOD

Directed by: SHOAIB MANSOUR (PAKISTAN)

How could a Festival go by without recognition of aspects of life today that reverberate through all our lives whether we embrace or reject them? This award divided the Jury at first, but eventually it won through. It’s a truthful and simple comment that people should be made aware of and make up their own minds about.

The Prize for the Best Film- The Golden Pyramid Presented to the producer: L'ENNEMI INTIME

Directed by: FLORENT EMILIO SIRI

Produced by: LES FILMS DU KIOSQU (FRANCE)

A brilliantly produced, devised and directed film of a time of war - A unique warning of the futility of armed conflict.

The 2nd International Golden Goose Competition taking place within the body of the 13th Festival of European Films on Wheels, organized by the Ankara Cinema Association with the contribution of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Municipality of Kars, Statoil and Akman Holding, has been concluded.

In the competition, realized during the Kars stop of the Festival with the contribution of the Municipality of Kars, the Golden Goose and its monetary price of 20 thousand Euros was awarded to the film “The Trap” directed by the Serbian director Srdan Golubovic. The film ‘The Class’ by the Estonian director Ilmar Raag, which was inspired by real events, gained second place, receiving the Silver Goose and 5 thousand Euros. The jury made up of Katinka Farago, Lissy Bellaiche, Nana Djordjadze, Edna Fainaru and Serra Yilmaz, also awarded the film “The Rest is Silence,” by Nae Caranfil, which told the story of a director trying to shot a film on the Independence struggle of Romania against Ottoman rule, with a special Mention. The Turkish Film Critics Association Jury, made up of Cem Altinsaray, Murat Emir Eren, Tul Akbal Sualp, Ayla Kanbur, Esin Kucuktepepinar, on the other hand, awarded the Bronze Goose to the film “Tricks” by the Polish director Andrzej Jakimowski.

The Short Film Audience Award was won by the film “Tripe and Onions” directed by the Hungarian director Marton Szirmai.

Wolgin Award for Best Documentary Film: “Children of the Sun” Directed by: Ran Tal

Wolgin Award for Best Short Film: “Roads”

Directed by: Lior Geller

The Wolgin Award for Best Full-Length Feature Film: “The Band's Visit”

Directed by: Eran Kolirin

The Special Jury Prize: “Vasermil”

Directed by: Mushon Salmona for his film

The Award for the Best Actress: Ronit Elkabetz, for her role in “The Band's Visit.”

The Award for Best Actor: Sasson Gabay, for his role in “The Band's Visit.”

The Wolgin Award for Best Documentary Film: “Children of the Sun” Directed by: Ran Tal

The Photography Award in Memory of Elke Aynor, courtesy of ONAIR: goes to Itay Ne'eman for the film “Stefan Braun”

The Editing Prize in the Documentary Category, courtesy of Tel Aviv Studios, is awarded to Ron Goldman

The Jury decided to award a Special Mention to two documentary films: “Citizen Nawee”

Directed by Nissim Mossek

And “A Fool's Dream”

Directed by: Dan Syrkin and Ido Bahat

Best Short Films: “Roads”

Directed by: Lior Geller.

A Special Mention was awarded to Alla Sheraeir for her film “Ketem” and to Hagar Ben Asher for her film “Pathways.”

The Members of the Juries for the Wolgin Award for Israeli Short Films: Marieanne Bergmann – Head of Funding Department for Filforderung Hamburg, Omry Levy – Scriptwriter and Director, Ido Har – Director, editor, and cinematographer.

The Drama Award in Memory of Anat Pirchi: “Reds”

Directed by: Amir Manor

The Members of the Drama Jury: Marieanne Bergmann, Omry Levy, Ido Har.

The Wim Van Leer In the Spirit of Freedom Award, is awarded to a feature and documentary film dealing with issues of human and civil rights, freedom of speech and expression.

The award for Best Feature Film in this category: “Persepolis”

Directed by: Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud

The award for Best Documentary Film: “Crossing Borders”

Directed by: Bilal Yusef

The Members of the In the Spirit of Freedom Jury: Tamar Goldschmidt – Documentarist, Edna Mazia – Playwright, director, and writer, Roni Strier – researcher of poverty, inequality, and multi-culturalism.

The Jewish Experience Awards endowed by Leon and Michaela Constantiner

The Lia Award: “Comme un Juif en France” (Being a Jew in France.)

Directed By: Yves Jeuland

The jury has chosen to give a Special Mention to the film Making Trouble – “Three Generations of Funny Jewish Women,” directed by Rachel Talbot.

The Yad Vashem Chairman's Award: “Steal a Pencil for Me”

Directed by: Michèle Ohayon

The jury has chosen to give a Special Mention to the film “I Have Never Forgotten You: the Life and Legacy of Simon Wiesenthal” directed by Richard Trank.

Another Special Mention is awarded to the film “Spell Your Name” directed by Sergey Bukovsky.

The Members of The Jewish Experience Jury: Hannah Yablonka, Manuela Consonni, and Yuval Rivlin.

The winner in the Experimental Film Competition held by the Jerusalem Cinematheque and Hazira Performance Art: “The Man with the D.V Camera Causes Trouble to the Man with the Film Camera.”

Directed by: Avishay Sivan

Special Mention is given to Karen Russo for her film, “Economy of Excess.”

The Members of the Experimental Film Jury: Gili Shanit, Chen Sheinberg, Ulrike Ottinger

The Forum for the Preservation of Audio-Visual Award: “The Children of the Sun”, directed by Ran Tal

The Members of the Audio-Visual Award Jury: Yuval Karniel, Amalia Margolin, Daphna Sering

A production grant totaling up to NIS 560,000 for the production of documentary films dealing with social justice, is awarded to “A Snail in the Desert” to be directed by Adomi and produced by Liran Atzmor.

The Other Israel Prize for a film that furthers awareness and challenges conventions about the Arab citizens of Israel, is awarded to “Crossing Borders” directed by Bilal Yusef.

The Members of the Jury: Carole Zabar, Gary Springer, and Mamdooh Alfie.

Directed by: Felix Gerchikov

Best Foreign film: "Olga, Victoria, Olga"

Directed by: Mercedes Farriols (Argentina)

Best Israeli Short film: "Tolya"

Directed by: Rodeon Brodsky

Best Childrens’ Film: "Rudy- The Return of the Racing Pig"

Directed by: Peter Timm (Germany)

Directed by: Makda Tesfaladet

Directed by: Nadav Noah (Israel, 2006)

Best International Film Award: "Voyage in G Major"

Directed by: Georgi Lazarevski (France, 2006)

Best Israeli Film Award: "Three Times Divorced"

Directed by: Ibtisam Mara'ana (Israel 2007)

SELECTED FOR FESPACO 2007