Karlovy Vary Eastern Promises winners include “I’m Not Everything I Want to Be” and “Flight From Kabul”

The Carlovy The Vary International Film Festival’s Eastern Promises industry section and film market presented the awards on Tuesday evening.

end of Tasovská I’m not everything I want to beabout a female photographer on her way to freedom after the Soviet invasion of Prague, and Assel Aushakimova Bikechess, which explores government influence and journalistic ethics, won the Works in Progress Award. by Sarah Karimi Flight from Kabulabout a woman in Afghanistan who must decide between the love of her life and her granddaughters’ future when the Taliban take over Kabul, received the Works in Development Award.

KVIFF Eastern Promises describes its mission as “bridging the gap between talented filmmakers and their potential partners, festivals and audiences”. The awards are open to producers and directors from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, the former Soviet Union, the Middle East and North Africa who submit new films that will premiere after the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

This year, 27 projects competed for prizes worth a total of 115,000 euros ($125,000) across three programmes: Works in Progress, Works in Development – ​​Feature Launch and First Cut+.

“Just like every year, we have tried to curate a nice mix of projects from all regions, a solid mix of documentaries and features, and now we hope they can find new partners to complete their films and get started on the festival circuit,” said Hugo Rosák, head of the film industry bureau of the KVIFF.

Below is the complete list of winners.

Works in progress

Each winner receives a cash prize of 5,000 euros ($5,445).

Works in Progress Award of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

Bikechess (Kazakhstan, France, Norway), directed by Assel Aushakimova and produced by Antoine Simkine, Almagul Tleukhanova and Christian Fredrik Martin.
Jury statement: “By pointing out with comic eyes the absurdity that the state can go to in order to hide deeper problems, the jury really appreciates the director’s fresh look at the ethics of journalism.”

Works in Progress Post-Production Development Award

I’m not everything I want to be (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria), directed by Klára Tasovská and produced by Lukáš Kokeš.
Jury statement: “The jury found this project about personal freedom exciting, as all elements of the story of the past resonate today and can definitely inspire everyone.”

TRT Work in Progress Award

Tasty (Lithuania, Estonia), directed by Egle Vertelyte and produced by Lukas Trimonis.
Jury statement: “For conveying in a culinary comedy a critical approach to today’s world, praising exaggerated packaging in daily life and social media, and presenting true friendship as the most delicious dish.”

Works in Development – ​​Feature Launch

The grand prize winner receives a cash prize of 10,000 euros ($10,890).

Work in Development Award

Flight from Kabul (Slovakia), directed and written by Sahraa Karimi and produced by Wanda Adamík Hrycová.
Jury statement: “For its bold vision, political audacity and resourceful storytelling, the Works in Development Award goes to a project that explores a people and place rarely seen on screen; those who have been let down by Western politicians who have stood idle while the powers of darkness ventured to wreak havoc before the listless and complacent eyes of the world.

Cottbus Connecting Award

Excavators (Cyprus), directed and written by Argyro Nicolaou and produced by Constantinos Nikiforou and Minos Papas. The project will have the opportunity to present at Connecting Cottbus, the East-West co-production market during the Film Festival Cottbus.
Jury statement: “A fascinating story about intergenerational trauma and the ways we respond to past wounds.”

Rotterdam laboratory prize

Tomas Pertoldfilm producer God breaks down the door (Czech Republic).
Jury statement: “It’s not just an original premise, a cohesive and well-constructed project and a captivating story; this is also the approach to cinema that we want to support. A strong and close-knit team that embodies the precise definition of an emerging, young and ambitious producer. Freshness, strong and genuine intentions, as well as a very promising career ahead of them, make Tomáš Pertold the most suitable person to join us in January for the next edition of Rotterdam Lab 2024”.

First Cut+ Work in progress

TRT First Cut+ Award

The award comes with prize money of 5,000 euros ($5,445).

Allen Sunshine (Canada, USA), directed by Harley Chamandy and produced by Chantal Chamandy.
Jury statement: “For an outstanding cinematic effort by an up-and-coming filmmaker of remarkable talent, showcasing a sensitive portrayal of genuine friendship, the journey to loneliness after loss, and developing a minimalist yet impactful approach to storytelling and cinematography” .