U.S. Dramatic Competition: Grand Jury Prize

U.S. Dramatic Competition: Audience Award

'Whiplash'

Country of Production: USA

Director: Damien Chazelle

"How far can you sacrifice for your goals?" With his second feature film, 'Whiplash,' director Damien Chazelle poses this ultimate question. The protagonist, Andrew, is a promising 19-year-old drummer. He practices relentlessly every day at a music school in Manhattan, renowned as the best in the nation. His practice is so intense that his drumsticks become stained red with his own blood. One day, he is selected for the school's competitive ensemble and begins receiving instruction from a ruthless music instructor. The practice sessions become increasingly brutal. Curses fly, and sometimes physical altercations occur. Andrew becomes so engrossed in practicing with the instructor that he gradually loses himself. Are dreams and goals something to be pursued at the expense of loved ones? What kind of "success" awaits him in the end?

U.S. Documentary Competition: Grand Jury Prize

'Rich Hill'

Country of Production: USA

Directors: Tracy Droz Tragos & Andrew Droz Palermo

If one of the roles of film is to shine a light on and visualize "places that don't get attention," then 'Rich Hill' is an excellent example of this. The directors, cousins Tracy Droz Tragos and Andrew Droz Palermo, turned their cameras to Rich Hill, a small town of 1,396 people in Missouri. Despite its name, Rich Hill is known as an area with a high percentage of low-income residents. It's important not to forget that every town has its inhabitants. Here, too, there are three boys navigating the space between childhood and adolescence. Through their intimate perspectives, the directors capture the modest lives within this small town.

U.S. Documentary Competition: Audience Award

'Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory'

Country of Production: USA

Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett

In America, there are 5 million Alzheimer's patients. It is a mental disorder that causes brain atrophy, leading to memory, cognitive, and motor impairments. Currently, it is considered incurable due to its unknown cause. One day, Dan Cohen, a social worker at a nursing home, had an idea: "Can music reawaken past memories and emotions?" 'Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory' is a documentary that records Cohen's "experiment" over three years. For example, one patient, Merrilou, upon hearing The Beach Boys' "I Get Around," seemed to recall something and began to dance, her face filled with happiness, something she hadn't shown since her diagnosis. 'Alive Inside' is packed with such miraculous moments.

World Cinema Documentary Competition: Audience Award

'The Green Prince'

Country of Production: France, Israel, United Kingdom

Director: Nadav Schirman


World Cinema Dramatic Competition: Audience Award

'Difret'

Country of Production: Ethiopia

Director: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari


NEXT Competition: Audience Award

'Imperial Dreams'

Country of Production: USA

Director: Malik Vitthal


World Cinema Documentary Competition: Directing Award

'20,000 days on Earth'

Country of Production: United Kingdom

Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard