CHICAGO – When two brothers confront the sins of each other and it expands into a psychology of an entire race, it’s at a stage play found in Chicago’s Invictus Theatre Company production of “Topdog/Underdog,” now at their new home at the Windy City Playhouse through March 31st, 2024. Click TD/UD for tickets/info.
Film News: ‘My Sweet Pepper Land’ is Top Film at 2013 Chicago International Film Festival
CHICAGO – The 2013 49th Annual Chicago International Film Festival and Michael Kutza – Festival Founder and Artistic Director – announced the competition award winners at a ceremony in the ‘W’ Hotel City Center on October 18th. The Gold Hugo for Best Film went to “My Sweet Pepper Land,” from Iraq, France and Germany.
Kutza made the announcements along with Mimi Plauché, Head of Programming, Programmers Alex Kopecky and Penny Bartlett, plus members of the various juries who worked evaluating the competition. The W Hotel City Center is near Chicago’s financial district and the Sears (now Willis) Tower. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named for the mythical God of Discovery.
International Feature Film Competition
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The Gold Hugo for Best Film: “My Sweet Pepper Land” (Iraq/France/Germany), directed by Hiner Saleem
The Silver Hugo – Special Jury Prize: “The Verdict” (Belgium), directed by Jan Verheyen
The Silver Hugo – Best Director: Jerome Bonnell of “The Verdict” (Belgium)
The Silver Hugo – Best Actor: Robert Wieckiewicz of “Walesa: Man of Hope” (Poland)
The Silver Hugo – Best Actress: Nadeshda Brennicke of “Banklady” (Germany)
The Silver Hugo – Best Cinematography: Jalio Faber for “Pioneer” (Norway)
Special Mention: Actress Piroska Molnár in “The Notebook” (Hungary/Germany/Austria/France)
Special Mention: “A Long and Happy Life” (Germany)
New Directors Competition
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The Gold Hugo: Director Diego Quemada-Diez of “La Jaula de Oro” (Mexico)
The Silver Hugo Director Matiej Pieprzyca of “Life Feels Good” (Poland)
Docufest Competition
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The Gold Hugo: “Trucker and Fox” (Iran), directed by Arash Lahooti
Special Mention: “Mothers” (China), directed by Xu Huijing
After Dark Competition
Photo Credit: © Chicago International Film Festival |
The Gold Hugo: “Cheap Thrills” (USA), directed by E.L. Katz
Short Film Competition
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The Gold Hugo – Best Short Film: “Misterio” (Spain), directed by Chema García Ibarra
The Silver Hugo – Live Action Short: “Needle” (USA), directed by Anahita Ghazvinizadeh
The Silver Hugo – Documentary Short: “Dream Girl” (Switzerland), directed by Oliver Schwarz
The Silver Hugo – Best Animated Short: “Yellow Fever” (Kenya/UK), directed by Ng’endo Mukii
The Silver Hugo – Best Student Short: “Aftermath” (USA), directed by Jeremy Robbins
Special Jury Prize – Animated Short: “Marilyn Myller” (USA), directed by Michael Please
Special Jury Award – Documentary Short: “The Village” (Brazil), directed by Liliana Sulzbach
Gold Plaque – Narrative/Live Action Short: “Butter Lamp” (France), directed by Hu Wei
Gold Plaque – Best Student Animated Short: “Tap to Retry” (Israel), directed by Neta Cohen
Gold Plaque – Best Experimental Animated Short: “Unicorn Blood” (Spain), directed by Alberto Vasquéz
Silver Plaque – Narrative/Live Action Short: “Rhino, Full Throttle” (Germany), directed by Erik Schmitt
Special Mention – Live Action Short: “Whale Valley” (Denmark/Iceland), directed by Gudmunder Arnar Gudmundsson
Special Mention – Animated Short: “Collectors” (Switzerland), directed by Marcel Hobi
Intercom Award
The Intercom Awards honor a wide range of corporate-sponsored, educational and branded films.
The Gold Hugo: “Wake Up Time” from Bengar Films
The Chicago Award
Best Chicago/Illinois Based Film “Girl With Child” (USA), directed by Maria Abraham
The Founder’s Award
This is a special recognition from the Founder of the Chicago International Film Festival, Michael Kutza
The Founder’s Award: “A Thousand Times Good Night” from Erik Poppe
By PATRICK McDONALD |