Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saiz wins top prize at Transilvania Film Festival for ‘Lionel’
12 reported
Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saiz won the Transilvania Trophy at the Transilvania International Film Festival on Saturday for his debut feature "Lionel," a drama about a young man and his father attempting to repair a relationship marked by years of absence and misunderstanding. The award was presented at the historic National Theater in Cluj. Saiz said the film is about family and second chances, and brings to the screen people whose stories rarely make it there. The main competition jury included actor Aidan Gillen, filmmaker Noaz Deshe, distributor Roman Gutek, Netherlands Film Fund CEO Sandra den Hamer, and filmmaker Ivana Mladenović. The festival ran from June 12 to 21.
What’s reported
Carlos Saiz won the Transilvania Trophy for his debut feature "Lionel" at the Transilvania International Film Festival.
The award was presented Saturday at the historic National Theater in Cluj.
Saiz stated the film is about family and second chances, and gives visibility to people whose stories rarely make it to the screen.
The main competition jury consisted of Aidan Gillen, Noaz Deshe, Roman Gutek, Sandra den Hamer, and Ivana Mladenović.
Best director prize went to Konstantina Kotzamani for "Titanic Ocean."
Special Jury Award went to "Our Father" by Goran Stanković.
Best performance award went to the cast of "Truly Naked" by Muriel d'Ansembourg.
In Romanian Days, best feature went to "Y" by Maria Popistașu and Alex Baciu; best debut to "Back and Forth" by Cristian Bota.
In What's Up, Doc? section, top prize went to "Memory" by Vladlena Sandu.
Audience award went to "Feels Like Home" by Gábor Holtai; most popular Romanian film was "Wild Delta" by Dan Dinu.
TIFF.25 Trophy was given to Corneliu Porumboiu.
Festival ran June 12–21.
Key figures
Carlos Saiz, Spanish filmmaker and first-time director
Aidan Gillen, Irish actor and jury member
Noaz Deshe, Romanian filmmaker and jury member
Roman Gutek, Polish distributor, producer, festival founder and jury member
Sandra den Hamer, Netherlands Film Fund CEO and jury member
Ivana Mladenović, Serbian Romanian filmmaker and jury member
Konstantina Kotzamani, Greek filmmaker
Goran Stanković, Serbian filmmaker
Muriel d'Ansembourg, filmmaker
Maria Popistașu and Alex Baciu, Romanian filmmakers
Cristian Bota, Romanian filmmaker
Vladlena Sandu, filmmaker
Gábor Holtai, Hungarian filmmaker
Dan Dinu, Romanian filmmaker
Corneliu Porumboiu, Romanian filmmaker
Sources: Variety
