In the category of Best Acting, the jury decided to award the Norwegian actress Thea Lambrechts Vaulen for her role in the drama "Armand." The jury was captivated by her naturalistic acting, through which she accurately portrayed the character of the beginning teacher Sunna, who, much like the audience, becomes entangled in the conflict between the parents of two warring boys. The ability to connect the audience with her character is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of acting, which the emerging Norwegian actress masterfully executed through a complex interpretation of realistic emotions, subtle humor, and sufficient self-reflection. We wish Thea Lambrechts Vaulen many more similarly multifaceted roles in both film and theater, and we send our greetings to the cinematic Norway.
The Special Jury Prize goes to Gints Zilbalodis' animated film, Flow, which emphasises togetherness, friendship and the uncompromising nature. Thanks to its observational treatment of animals, the film has an almost natural feel. The absence of dialogue and exaggerated anthropomorphisation only enhances this impression. The film caught our attention because of its apparent simplicity and brevity, dealing with basic human values without trying to please the audience too much.
