In 2020 FIFEM Montreal was one of the last festivals to physically take place before the world went into lockdown. One year later, the new edition marked the return of the ECFA Award to Canada. The winner was the Norwegian film SISTERS.
In the FIFEM festival both the professional jury and the children’s jury announced their winners. The ECFA Award went to SISTERS: THE SUMMERS WE FOUND OUR SUPERPOWERS by Arild Østin Ommundsen and Silje Salomonsen, “for its resilience and its feminine solidarity. The story illustrates perfectly how human beings surpass themselves in difficult situations.”
The Professional Jury, for the ECFA Award were Jessica Barker, Maya Ombasic and Éric Idriss-Kanago (Canada), Alejandra Fritis Zapata (Chili), and Jitendra Mishra (India). They also awarded a Grand Prix to CORAZÒN DE MEZQUITE (Mexico, Ana Laura Calderòn) “for its successful immersion in this community, including traditions, family ties and culture.”
The Children’s Jury award went to the Austrian film OSKAR & LILLI – WHERE NO ONE KNOWS US by Arash T. Riahi (which also won the INIS Prize, rewarding innovation and originality).
The Public Choice Award went to CALAMITY, A CHILDHOOD OF MARTHA JANE CANNARY (France, Rémi Chayé).
In 2022 FIFEM will return during spring break for its 25th (!!) edition. Let’s hope for a glorious anniversary!