After screening nearly 200 short films on the big screen and welcoming more than 480 guests over the past few days, REGARD – International Short Film Festival in Saguenay and its five juries recognized 15 filmmakers at the official awards ceremony for this edition, in addition to presenting ten special mentions.
Nearly $120,000 in cash and services were awarded to several directors from around the world. These films can be seen or revisited at the Palmarès screenings on Sunday, March 22 at Studio Desjardins at the CEM starting at 1:00 PM.
Official Competition
The Official Competition jury was composed of the following members: Chloé Leriche (Québec); Jing Haase (Denmark); Vladim Vilain; Jasper Hokken (Netherlands); and actress and performer Évelyne Brochu (Québec). Together, they awarded no fewer than 5 prizes from a selection of 55 films from some twenty countries.
The Grand Prize, accompanied by a $2,000 grant from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and $10,000 in post-production services from CineGround (valid for two years), was awarded to A Shot At Art by Ilke Paddenburg.
The Canadian Grand Prize, accompanied by a $3,000 grant from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and $20,000 in equipment rental from MTL Grandé, was awarded to A Wolf in the Suburbs by Amélie Hardy.
The Jury Prize, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from Vital, $10,000 in post-production services from Post-Moderne, and a screening at Cinéma Moderne, was awarded to Les âmes du Fouta by Alpha Diallo.
A special mention was also given to Pique Nique by Jérémy Gagnon.
The Best Animation Short Film Award, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from Rodeo FX and a TVPaint Animation 12 Professional licence valued at $2,600, was awarded to Boundaries by Seun Yee.
A special mention was given to Klonter by Levi Stoops.
The Best Documentary Short Film Award, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from Doc Québec, was awarded to Ndjimu by Petna Ndaliko Katondolo.
A special mention was given to Soixante-sept millisecondes by FleuryFontaine.
The Public Award for the Official Competition, accompanied by two $500 grants from MainFilm and the Bureau du cinéma de Saguenay, as well as $4,000 in post-production services from Outpost MTL, was determined by public vote and awarded to Diego directed by Melissa Silveira.
FIPRESCI Jury and AQCC Jury
The FIPRESCI International Critic Award, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from the Bureau du cinéma de Saguenay and $3,000 in equipment rental from SLA Location, was awarded by a jury of international film critics to A Wolf in the Suburbs by Amélie Hardy.
The Québec Critic Award AQCC, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from Lussier & Khouzam and a $500 grant from the Association Québécoise des Critiques de Cinéma, awarded by a jury of AQCC members, was given to Soixante-sept millisecondes by FleuryFontaine.
Focus Competition
Made up of six creators with distinct artistic visions, the Focus Competition jury was tasked with recognizing one filmmaker in each section of the Focus Competition.
The Americana Award, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from the Centre de solidarité internationale, was awarded to Nina Chilapa directed by Juana Lotero López.
A special mention was given to Galilea by Gabriela Cartol.
The Alanis-Obomsawin Prize, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from the Canada Media Fund and $500 in subtitling and translation services from TS Coop, was awarded to The Great Cherokee Grandmother by Anthony Sneed.
A special mention was given to Mangittatuarjuk.
The Philippe-Belley Award, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from Hydro-Québec and $15,000 in equipment rental from La Bande Sonimage, was awarded to Au Cœur du Remous by Mélanie Saint-Germain.
A special mention was given to Tant que nous sommes immortelles by Nora Burlet Dhainaut.
The Short & Queer Award, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from the Canada Media Fund, was awarded to Bleifrei 95 by Tina Muffler and Emma Hütt.
A special mention was given to Luz Diabla by Gervasio Canda, Patricio Plaza, and Paula Boffo.
The Shoot No Matter What Award, accompanied by a $1,500 grant from the École supérieure en Art et technologie des médias, $6,000 in image post-production services from PRIM, and $15,000 in equipment rental from Spira (including a one-year membership), was awarded to FAN by Philippe Berthelet.
A special mention was given to Greluche by Daphnée Côté-Hallé.
Youth Prizes
The Best Youth Short Film Award, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from the Cégeps of Chicoutimi, Jonquière, Alma, and Saint-Félicien, was awarded to La légende du colibri by Morgan Devos.
A special mention was given to Carcassonne-Acapulco by Marjorie Caup and Olivier Héraud.
The Best Québec Youth Short Film Award, accompanied by a $1,000 grant from Romeo & Fils, a membership to Alliance Médias Jeunesse, a nomination at the Alliance Médias Jeunesse Excellence Awards, and $4,000 in production services from Royal Photo, was awarded to C'est ma sœur by Zoé Pelchat.
A special mention was given to Le mystère de l'abbé Metz by Félix Brouillet-Desrosiers.
Québec Short Films on the Road
To extend this 30th edition, REGARD, in collaboration with two partners, is offering the opportunity to see several Québec short films again starting Monday. First, a Coups de cœur screening will be presented on Monday, March 23 at 7:30 PM at the Ciné-Club de Jonquière. Additionally, the free streaming platform Télé-Québec/La Fabrique Culturelle will broadcast 12 Québec short films for 15 days through REGARD en prolongation from March 24 to April 7.