Lisa Polster's documentary film Out of Sight (Bürglkopf) was named Best Central and Eastern European Documentary Film in the OPUS BONUM competition at the 29th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. The jury wrote: "With a new acute crisis springing up every day to consume all our attention and compassion, it can be easy to forget about the longer, more drawn-out traumas and tragedies that are often ongoing right in our own back yards. For a stirring, intelligent, beautifully shot act of empathy towards a community of refugees enduring what is essentially psychological torture by isolation on an Austrian mountaintop while tourists ski nearby, the Award for Best Central and East European Documentary Film goes to Bürglkopf, directed by Lisa Polster." (Ognjen Glavonić, Jessica Kiang, Dominic Lees, Tekla Machavariani, Jana Ševčíková)
The film, which is currently showing in Austrian cinemas and at international festivals, also received the DOCRACY Award at DOXS RUHR, Germany. The jury of teenagers and young adults honored Bürglkopf because it impressively documents “how isolation, lack of rights, and deliberate social exclusion lead to hopelessness, psychological stress, and exploitation.” With precise research and restrained imagery, the film highlights abuses that would otherwise remain hidden. The jury particularly emphasizes that Bürglkopf makes an important contribution to public debate on human rights issues and social responsibility.
We are also pleased to announce that Bleifrei 95 by Emma Hütt and Tina Muffler was awarded the Sweet Cherry Award at the fourth Cherry Pop Film Festival in Zagreb: "A film of sprawling aspirations, pure sex and youthful energy. Visually explosive, narratively daring — a wild, wild ride with complex characters and relentless momentum. The queerest of them all."
A Special Mention was given there to Jan Soldat for Blind Date 4.0: “There have been many dates shown on film — none so subversively close to reality. A delightful documentary that provokes with its earnestness, proving that bold filmmaking can still respect the dignity of its protagonists.”
Our heartfelt congrats to Lisa, Emma, Tina and Jan!
