KINGFISHER AWARD
An international jury award presented by the general sponsor, Telekom Slovenije, d.d., to the best film of the Perspectives section.
International jury: Taki Mumladze, Christos Nikou, Darko Sinko

Fekete pont / Lesson Learned (By: Bálint Szimler)
Director Bálint Szimler uses the setting of a school – one of the most important social institutions – to address the pressing issues of contemporary Hungary. He does so with freshness and humour, but also with precision and painful emotional involvement. In doing so, he goes beyond a relevant social critique and in mocking the stupidity, duplicitousness, cowardice, narrow-mindedness and aggressiveness of human nature pays tribute to sacrifice and freedom. We were impressed by the brilliant work with the child actors (and the entire cast), the sophisticated and confident directing and, above all, the different shades of meaning. Congratulations!

Special Mention:
Good One (By: India Donaldson)
This seemingly small, unpretentious film starts with an oft-used premise: three people on a trip. But despite its overall simplicity, the film keeps revealing ever new layers, the previously one-dimensional characters are imbued with nuance after nuance, we get to know them bit by bit. Filmmaker India Donaldson shows infinite precision in capturing their elusive feelings, delivering a sensitive and delicate direction marked by perfect confidence in all the crucial aspects.

BEST SHORT FILM AWARD
Presented by TSE d.o.o.
Jury: Leonardo Goi, Anja Medved, Niko Novak

Oyu (By: Atsushi Hirai)
In this luminous, soothing short, an ordinary evening at a small-town public bath swells into something almost transcendental—a cathartic experience through which a man finally grapples with the weight of his loneliness. But this is not a sad story, much less a sentimental one; if the film feels so moving, that’s credit to its restraint, a powerful reminder that the most devastating stories are those that don’t reveal, but only suggest.

Special Mention:
Aqueronte (By: Manuel Munoz Rivas)
How rare to watch a film that isn’t interested in solving its enigmas, so much as letting us luxuriate in them. The crossing of a river here becomes an otherworldly journey perched somewhere between waking life and dreams. With its exquisite attention to sounds and its mist-shrouded visuals, this is a hypnotic experience, made all the more entrancing for its refusal to explain away its many enigmas.

FIPRESCI PRIZE
An award presented by the jury of the International Federation of Film Critics
International jury: Igor Angjelkov, Hamed Soleimanzadeh, Maruša Kuret

April (By: Déa Kulumbegashvili)
The FIPRESCI Award at the 35th Ljubljana International Film Festival goes to April by director Déa Kulumbegashvili, a bold and experimental exploration of rural life in Georgia. Centred around the deeply personal and universal theme of abortion, the film masterfully examines societal and cultural constraints in a remote setting. Its smart use of semiology, paired with captivating cinematography, enriches the storytelling with layers of meaning. April stands out for its innovative approach, offering a fresh perspective on complex human experiences.

KINOTRIP YOUNG JURY PRIZE
This year's jury consists of five members of the 9th Kinotrip Film Club: Nadja Alymova, Alja Budin, Gašper Macedoni, Maša Mramor, Lenart Zalar Schroers

Akipleša / Toxic (By: Saule Bliuvaite)
Of the five contestants for the Kinotrip Young Jury Prize, the film that touched us the most was the one with the most unconventional audiovisual approach to film for young audiences. The exquisite visual aesthetic is supported by a delicate and minimalist colour palette. It employs a stunning soundtrack to form a subversive whole and a raw narrative about young girls in the fashion industry. In doing so, it addresses the important topic of eating disorders. The Kinotrip Young Jury Prize goes to Toxic by Saule Bliuvaite. The fictional film is a timeless document that questions the idealised image of the female body, which can sometimes prove fatal.

AKMS – SLOVENIAN ART CINEMA ASSOCIATION AWARD
Jury members: Manca Cerar, Jure Mavrič, Erik Toth

Volveréis / The Other Way Around (By: Jonás Trueba)
Volveréis celebrates love – but, as the title suggests, in a slightly different way. It shows something that is not often seen on the screen but is certainly present in real life: a healthy end to a relationship that, after 15 years together, is still based on respect, while acknowledging that the partners have evolved in different directions during that time. Despite the repetitive elements, the film does not feel repetitive but authentic. It stresses the universal truth that key decisions in a relationship are not made just once, but over and over again, one day at a time. The relationship between the two main characters is natural and multi-layered, and the film also contains a striking concept that places the characters not only in front of but also behind the camera. The film is at once simple, entertaining, yet full of subtle details and calls for reflection. With this work, Jonás Trueba is following in his father's footsteps, creating a film that is comprehensive, lifelike and sincere. All of the above was our motivation to present this film with the Slovenian Art Cinema Association Award.

DRAGON AUDIENCE AWARD
The festival audience voted for their favourite film, which receives the Audience Award. Out of 26 competing films, the highest score, 4,71, was given to the film: Manas (By: Marianna Brennand)

VOTING FOR THE BEST FILM OF THE ADRIATIC FESTIVAL NETWORK
The voting for the Best Film of the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region at 35th Liffe concluded on Sunday, 24 November 2024. The 35th Liffe audience gave the highest score to Flow: 4.59.