Last Friday, February 17, the closing of the eighth edition of Humans Fest was celebrated and although we are a little sad to reach the end, we began with great enthusiasm the preparation of the ninth edition.
We are very happy because, due to the large turnout, the eighth edition was a resounding success. As Javiel Vilalta commented during the closing: “we have shown that we are a living society, who knows how to reflect and who can amend what he may have done wrong.” It is because of that more than 4600 spectators attended Humans Fest festival activities; such as screenings at the Filmoteca, the official short film section, the Human Rights Forum, meetings with directors, the Dona i Cinema cycle and the sum of new spaces to the festival.
Awards VIII edition of Humans Fest
The award for Best Documentary takes it “Patient” by the Colombian director Jorge Caballero, awarded by the jury of the official section (Montxo Armendáriz, Pui Oria, Carlos Madrid, Fani Grande and Ricardo Macián). During the closing, the jury remarked that the documentary “has managed to make us see thoughts, understand the drama of what is not said and see what is not shown.” The co-editor of the film, Iván Guarnizo, received the award from Roberto Jaramillo, Councilor for Cooperation and Immigration of the Valencia City Council.
The short film from the Official Section (dedicated to the right to asylum and refugees) that took home the award for Best Short Film of the jury is “Eisen” by Benjamin Kahlmeyer; a city of Iron that shows a series of portraits of people seeking asylum in Germany and who live their daily lives while waiting.
Inside of Section 1 Minute 1 Right presented at Cinestudio D'Or, which compiles a selection of microfilms resulting from the microfilms 1 Minute 1 Right (the 2017 call is now open) the prize for best microfilm “Yo Era” goes to it, by Josemi Novo, Alejandro Ortiz, Sonia Guzmán, Carlos Herrero, Tatiana Hernández, Romina Gutiérrez (group of students from the Juan Comenius School).
Humans Fest Special Mentions
In addition to the winners, you cannot miss the special mentions since, this year the quality of the documentaries was magnificent. That is why the documentary 'The Strategy of Silence' by Barret Films receives a special mention “in recognition of the Association of Victims of the Valencia Metro and its extraordinary fight against oblivion”. The second special mention for documentary feature went to the film 'Transit Havana', by Dutchman Daniel Abma, a documentary that shows different perspectives on transsexuality in Cuba.
Within the short film section, the short 'Safe Space' by Zora Rux, received a special mention “for its ability to make us reflect on common moral values, beyond cultural differences.”
Finally, the short film 'Rosa' by Neus Cerdá and María Blázquez, from the EASD School of Art and Design, also receives a special mention in its section.
One more year, we thank all the people who are part of Humans Fest, people committed and excited to make this a kinder, fairer and more dignified world, a world where our Human Rights are fulfilled and valued.
Thank you so much!
See you at the IX edition of Humans Fest.
(You can consult all the prizes here)