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These are the award-winning films of the Santorini Film Festival 2023 at the 10 competition categories.
Best Animated Short Winner
3 geNarrations
3 generations, 3 narrations, 3 different points of view. A dance of generations.
Paulina Ziółkowska
Best Experimental Short Winner
Intrance
Spiralling through spaces redefining my identity, culture, memories and future. From Ukraine to the UK and back, from precipice of infinite possibilities comes a self-portrait INTRANCE exploring fear, resistance, bravery and change.
Diana Olifirova
Best Feature Documentary Winner
The Honey Movie
A man’s journey to show the true value of honey and its purpose for humanity. The film follows the hero for 30 days, thru 6 different countries, eating only honey for the entire duration of filming. It explores how different cultures relate to this product, how they cultivate it and dispels the myth that honey and sugar are the same. From the tribes of Ethiopia, to the modern European techniques, the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and the jungles of Java – the film unravels how much work a jar of honey really contains, the importance of bees, and how miraculous this product really is.
Sasha Nikitin
Best Greek Feature Production Winner
Dignity
On the day of their ailing, elderly father's birthday, the reunion of three siblings leads to an intense confrontation after which their lives can no longer remain the same.
Dimitris Katsimiris
Best Greek Short Production Winner
Abyssal Zone
Whilst sailing with his girlfriend, Jason, a troubled young man, will face his biggest fear, diving into deep ocean waters. This will bring to the surface the issues he faces in his relationship, forcing him to come to terms with them.
Antonis Kitsikis
Best International Feature Film Winner
Otar's Death
Keti (36) and her son Nika (16) find themselves in a precarious situaton when Nika kills an old man in a car accident. The victim’s family promises to refrain from pressing charges against Nika if he compensates their loss in cash. Within a single day Keti has to raise a large amount of money to prevent her son Nika from being imprisoned. The events come thick and fast. An unexpected turn gives the drama a tragicomical air.
Ioseb Soso Bliadze
Best International Short Film Winner
Polywood
Unlucky-in-love Clayton is anxious for his first date with August, whom he met on Grindr, but his roommate Julian's prodding questions and sex-positive support are only worsening Clayton's nerves. When he meets August, Clayton is almost immediately at ease, charmed by how natural their connection feels. The date comes to a screeching halt when August casually mentions his partner, and Clayton walks out on him, aggressively judging August’s choice to be polyamorous. With his suave veneer fractured, a dejected August seeks comfort to the one person who understands how it feels to seek romance outside a relationship – his boyfriend.
Alessio Mineo
Best Music Video Winner
Hiding
Two strangers meet in stark winter in this pandemic-based music video spanning the length of the 12-minute indie rock EP by the same name, by Bellhoss.
Shelby Rahe
Best Short Documentary Winner
Liturgy of Anti-tank Obstacles
The reality in Ukraine split into before and after the war. Every citizen is trying to contribute to the nationwide resistance. Many people retrained for the needs of the military. Sculptors and metalworkers now make anti-tank obstacles. In the art workshops, among the artwork, anti-tank obstacles are being produced. The artists make the anti-tank obstacles, surrounded by the sculptures of angels, Cossacks, and famous Ukrainian personalities. Statues stand in the corners like a silent army. Multiple copies of Jesus Christ, like a terracotta army, froze in various poses and waiting. Masters weld metal for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk
Best Student Short Winner
A Firecracker Story
An 8-year-old boy searching for fireworks on a Chinese New Year’s Eve, after the firework ban is introduced in this southern Chinese town.
Zhizi Hao