Pigeons Turned to Gold wins top prize

If Pigeons Turned to Gold won the Best Film Award in the Emerging Voices of Documentary Competition at the 33rd Astra Film Festival, which ended on Sunday. The jury praised the film for being "extraordinary, intense and playful," with inventive cinematic techniques.

Days of Wonder honored for direction

Karin Pennanen received the Best Directing Award in the same competition for her film Days of Wonder. The jury described it as a "playful portrait of an enigmatic man longing for love," highlighting its emotional depth and creative approach.

Special Mention for From Dawn to Dawn

Xisi Sofia Ye Chen's From Dawn to Dawn received a Special Mention in the Emerging Voices of Documentary Competition. The film was noted for its unique storytelling and artistic vision, though it did not win the top prize.

Eastern European documentary recognized

In the Eastern European Competition, To Hold a Mountain by Biljana Tutorov and Petar Glomazić won the Best Documentary Award. The jury praised the film for its "complex intertwining of homeland and motherhood," linking environmental and domestic violence in a powerful narrative.

Romanian film wins top documentary award

Vlad Petri's A Train Passes Every Day and It Never Stops took the Best Documentary Award in the Romanian Competition. The jury called it a "moving reflection on mortality, belonging and the passage of time," emphasizing its emotional resonance and thematic depth.

Best directing in Romanian Competition

Dragoș Turea won the Best Directing Award in the Romanian Competition for Lenin’s Pawn. The film was described as a "humorous and engaging portrait" of a man removing Lenin monuments, sparking discussions on memory, history, and generational divides.

Special Mention for How to Talk to Lydia

Rusudan Gaprindashvili's How to Talk to Lydia received a Special Mention in the Romanian Competition. The film was acknowledged for its unique perspective and narrative style, though it did not win the top prize.

DocSchool Competition results

In the DocSchool Competition, Sassy Spartans by Maud Mascré won the Best Documentary Award. Amma, Do Giraffes Cry? by Kartikeya Saxena received a Special Mention, highlighting the competition's focus on emerging documentary filmmakers.