FACE - former editions
FACE Film Award was given to the film Mediterranea, directed by Jonas Carpignano
The film El Abrazo de la Serpiente / Embrace of the Serpent, directed by Ciro Guerra won the Special Mention
The Embrace of the Serpent clearly and poetically conveys the message that colonialism does not just strip the conquered peoples of their wealth and possessions at the cost of the shameless destruction of their natural resources; it steals their culture from them and destroys their identity. “Unless we force the white man to understand us, we will be doomed; it will be the end of everything.”
The 2016 Audentia Award for best female director was presented to Anca Damian (The Magic Mountain) during the closing ceremony of the 35th Istanbul Film Festival Eurimages. The award, a cash prize of 30 000 euros, has been instigated by Eurimages alongside a raft of other measures to promote greater gender equality in the European film industry.
Competition cancelled
Rithy Panh wins the Face Award for "The Missing Picture" –The Special Mention goes to Maria Binder for "Trans X Istanbul"
The FACE Award to The Missing Picture/ L'Image manquante by Rithy Panh (Cambodia-France) for "moving from the memories about his personal experience during the Khmer Rouge period and conveying a clear, original and innovative description of an inhuman period in Cambodian history. Remembering the past warns us about the danger of any kind of totalitarianism and despotic regime which inevitably leads to a tragedy for humanity."
The Special Mention to Trans X Istanbul by Maria Binder (Turkey-Germany) for "providing a passionate, personal and sincere look on the condition of transsexuals in our contemporary societies. Marginalisation, poverty which often leads to prostitution; this film is a plea to stop any form of discrimination and to raise awareness about this injustice."
''Syngue Sabour'' wins Film Award of the Council of Europe'
The Jury also decided to award two special mentions : the first one to Bosniac director, Danis Tanovic, for his film "An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker" which brings to the fore a simple and touching story of poverty and discrimination, and to South-Korean director Muel O. for his film " Ji Seul" on the Korean conflict of 1948.