National Church Film Awards

Director Nellie Rajala has been awarded the Church Media Foundation's "Look at Me..." Award for her film The Elf Ring. The award was presented at the 43rd Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival (November 16-24, 2024) in Finland, where the film competed in the Finnish Film Competition.

The short film The Elf Ring tells the story of seven-year-old Lycke, who goes chanterelle picking with her grandfather at their secret mushroom spot. During the trip, the grandfather shares a mythical tale about an elf ring and its dangers. The journey back home by boat doesn’t go smoothly, and upon their return, Lycke’s mother reveals that her grandfather’s health is declining. Determined, Lycke sets out to save him.

The "Look at Me..." Award was judged by Mikko Hieta, a member of the Church Media Foundation's Board.

"The winner of the Finnish Film Competition shows us a child who believes that things can be changed. In this film, faith, hope, and love are powerfully present, inspiring the child to act when adults seem ready to give up," Hieta said in his statement about the award.

According to Hieta, The Elf Ring’s director, Nellie Rajala, uses skillful visual and auditory storytelling to prompt reflections on themes ranging from the strong bond between generations to respect for nature.

"Despite the challenges of the short film format, the story remains cohesive, and the film as a whole is both beautiful and impactful. Particularly noteworthy is that the filmmaker is still at the early stages of her career. She has succeeded well," Hieta added.

A Child's Perspective: Important and Insightful

The Finnish Film Competition included eight films — five feature-length and three short films — all of which meaningfully highlight the perspectives of children and young people.

"These films remind adults that a child's point of view is unique, important, and often more perceptive than that of adults," Hieta noted.

The "Look at Me..." Award includes a cash prize of 1,500 euros. It is awarded annually at the Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival to a Finnish director of a feature or short film. The award aims to support Finnish films for children and young people and to encourage filmmakers to explore themes of Christian responsibility and values.

"Sisterhood", a French-Moroccan co-production directed by Nora El Hourch, has won the Church of Sweden Youth Film Award 2024 at the 41st International Children's and Young People's Film Festival in Malmö (9-15 March, 2024). The film's story is about three young women whose close friendship is threatened after one of them is sexually harrassed and discloses the attack to the public. The award is endowed with a prize money of 100.000 SEK. The award honours films for young people that maintain a high level of artistic quality and raise existential, equality and social issues in a way which speak to both young people and adults.

The motivation of the jury reads: "Through nuanced and complex characters, the film depicts young women’s revolt against  men’s violence capital. The film raises questions about class, gender, ethnicity  and social media as a means of power. An emotional portrayal of friendships put to the test, family ties being challenged and the value of unwavering Sisterhood."

Members of the jury were Peter Pontikis (director and screenwriter), Jesper Ödermark (educator), Jessica Jankert (scriptwriter), Erica Lang (confirmation and youth priest) and Victor Samuelsson (trainee in a congregation and commisioner for the democratic rights of children and young people).

The film also received the prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Zlín 2024.

Film directors Satu Majava and Joel Tainio have won the Church Media Foundation Award with their film «Do No Harm». The documentary was awarded in the domestic competition of the 54th Tampere Film Festival (March 6-10, 2024) in Finland, where a total of 37 films were included.

Markus Luukkonen, the communications manager and a member of the foundation's board from the Lahti Parish Union, served as the jury for the award.

"Compassion is humanity's superpower, and now it is needed more than ever in a long time. The protagonist of the film chosen by the Church Media Foundation experiences deep compassion and a sense of duty to help," Markus Luukkonen stated in his award justification.

The awarded film is a depiction of a Ukrainian doctor, Oksana, who resides in Finland. When the war breaks out, Oksana doesn't know what she should do. Oksana is not licensed to practice as a doctor in Finland, and there is a great need for her in Ukraine.

"As the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine begins, aid shipments start even before humanitarian chains have been established. The video camera circulates at the forefront of aid work, echoing the unpredictable rhythm of war and manages to capture the conflicts and uncertainties experienced by the helpers. However, what remains in the viewer's memory is a silent understanding that hope arises through action," Luukkonen said.

The Church Media Foundation award amounts to 1500 Euros. The award has been presented at the Tampere Film Festival to a domestic film director since 2017.

The award criteria emphasize the technical and artistic quality of films, as well as themes that invite viewers to contemplate the Christian values and ethical questions.

The Church Media Foundation was established in 2005. Its purpose, based on the values ​​of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, is to support and promote the creation, distribution, and presentation of programs dealing with religion and worldview in national media.

The International Film Festival Tampere was founded in 1968 and is dedicated to short films. In the national competition the festival presents also feature length documentaries.

Karin Wegsjö, Bishop Susanne Rappmann and Nazira Abzalova (from left) at the award ceremony in Göteborg (photo: © Mikael Ringlander)

In competition with all Swedish feature film premieres at the Göteborg Film Festival, the documentary Om alla bara drar (If Everyone Just Leaves), directed by Karin Wegsjö and Nazira Abzalova, has been awarded the Church of Sweden's film prize, the Angelos Prize, of SEK 50 000. The prize was presented by Bishop Susanne Rappmann in connection with the film's premiere at the 47th Göteborg Film Festival (January 26 - February 4, 2024).

The jury statement reads: "In a solid portrait of a family's life in a suburb, a larger picture of a disintegrating social contract is drawn. The film poses burning questions to all of us. Where are visions expressed not only in words, but through action and presence?  And who will remain if all societal institutions are absent?"

The jury consisted of Paula Wahlbom, director of Frölunda Kulturhus, library, exhibition hall and cinema; Mikael Ringlander, photographer, provost and programme manager (chairman of the jury); and Anne-Louise Eriksson, priest, researcher and former rector of the Church of Sweden's educational institute.

Nazira Abzalova, co-director and main protagonist in "If Everybody Just Leaves" (© 2024 KW produktion AB)

The documentary "Punishment" (OT: Straff), directed by Øystein Mamen (Norway, 2024), is the winner of the Faith in Film Award at the Tromsø International Film Festival 2024. The film portrays four inmates of a high security prison who attend a three-week Jesuit silent retreat.

The jury members were Eilif Bremer Landsend (filmmaker), Tale Næss (author and dramatist) and Einar-Arne Drivenes (historian).

Their motivation reads: "The prize goes to a film that moved the jury emotionally and intellectually. It portrayed its subjects and subject matter with respect and closeness through a clear artistic intention with a special sensitivity for the close-up and the human face. It made the film feel whole. The film is both a portrait of a building, a place and the people that are there. The film portrays the themes forgiveness and reconciliation in a way that touched us and made us reflect about the passing of time both for the characters, but also for us an audience. The film is a beautiful composition in four parts with a clear direction and with a director that want to tell us something without ever losing his ethical compass. The film asks a question on how society deals and has been dealing with those who trespass against the law. It’s a portrait of quiet intensity. A drama in the all the silence. The film is still in our hearts and our minds."

The Faith in Film award was created in 2017 and is borne by the Norwegian Church Academies, and the Tromsø Church Academy. The festival took place from 15-21 January, 2024.

Director Petteri Saario has been awarded the Church Media Foundation's "Look at me..." Award for the documentary "Rap and Reindeer" (OT: Revontulten räppäri/Guovssahasaid ráppár). The film participated in the domestic competition of the Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival 2023. 

"Rap and Reindeer" tells the story of 18-year-old Saami individual Mihkku Laiti, who aspires to become a rap artist. He grapples with the expectations tied to generational traditions while balancing his own future aspirations. The documentary follows Mihkku's life over a year and a half, presenting a coming-of-age story towards a career in music and budding stardom. The film will have its international premiere in November at the world's largest children and youth film festival in Chicago.

The judge for the "Look at me..." Award was Mrs Outi Rousu, a member of the foundation's board and a film producer. According to Rousu, the film skillfully weaves together three narratives, closely following the protagonist, a young man, as he reflects on life choices and his own identity.

"The film addresses, through its protagonist, the culture and position of minorities, in this case, the Saami people. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of nature in our lives and the need to live in harmony with it. The film prompts viewers to contemplate life values and raises questions about the state of the environment and climate change worldwide," says Rousu.

Diversification of Finnish Film 

Outi Rousu notes that there were ten different films in the domestic competition at the festival, ranging from drama to adventure films and youth coming-of-age stories. 

"It's good that Finnish cinema is diversifying and also bringing forth the stories of our country's minorities. This year, there were nominees, for example, telling the personal story of a child with an immigrant background and a film made by immigrants about their lives in the suburbs," says Rousu.

The "Look at me..." Award is valued at 1.500 € and is annually awarded at the Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival to one or more Finnish film directors. The award aims to support domestic children and youth cinema and encourage filmmakers to reflect on Christian responsibility and values.

The Church Media Foundation was established in 2005 with the purpose, based on the values of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, to support and promote the produduction, distribution, and presentation of programs dealing with religion and ethical questions in national media. 

At the annual meeting of the Danish National Association of Parish Councils in Nyborg (2-4 June, 2023) the Church Film Prize "Gabriel" was awarded to "Den store stilhed" (The Great Silence, Denmark 2022), directed by Katrine Brocks.

The director grew up in a Christian community where she perceived God as both loving and protective, but also strict and judgemental. The film is, among other things, her processing of that. She says about her film: "The film doesn't give any precise answers, but I hope it can lead to a conversation about what can happen when big, tragic events happen in life. Maybe the film can make people think and reflect, and I hope it can inspire many interesting conversations in parish halls across the country."

Several members of the jury behind the film award were present at the award ceremony. Jury member Karsten Fledelius, historian at the University of Kopenhagen, said: "This is a film that shows that reconciliation is possible, even when things look difficult. It is a film not only for Christians and believers, but for everyone living in a human society." The other jury members were Peter Lauridsen Hundebøll, member of the Board of the Danish National Association of Parish Councils; Isak Thorsen, cand. mag. and PhD in film studies; Mogens Lindhardt, former rector; Susanne Charlotte Knudstorp, pastor; Anna Sloth Jørgensen, pastor; and Jes Nysten, theologian, author and film critic.

The Gabriel Film Award was established in 2002 on the initiative of the National Association of Church Councils. The purpose of the award is to recognise films that, at a high artistic level, manage to reproduce and depict human testimonies that are in harmony with the Gospel and that give the viewer a profound experience of spiritual, human or social ideas and values.

At the 40th International Children and Young People's Film Festival in Malmö (11-17 March, 2023) a jury has decided about the Church of Sweden Youth Film Award 2023. Winner is Peter Pontiki's "Bullets" which tells about a young a boy who gets caught up in the war between two local gangs without any fault of his own. The prize is endowed with 100.000 SEK. The jury's motivation reads: "Our winner is a pressing portrayal of a highly topical social issue. The film is well staged and well edited. The film evokes many thoughts and discussions and challenges us as bearers of the light of the gospel. It leaves us with a feeling that we, as a society, must do more."

Members of the jury were Jesper Ödemark, parish pedagogue (chairman of the jury), Erica Lang, pastor, and Patrik Blomberg Book, film director and musician.

Director Markus Toivo has been presented with the Church Media Foundation Award at the Tampere Film Festival 2023 for his documentary film "Under Construction". The prize is endowed with 1.500 euros.

The winner was chosen by Juha Rajamäki, vice chair of the Board of the Church Media Foundation.

The motivation for the award states:

“This year, among the 36 programmes in the national competition, there were several programs in accordance with the foundation's award criterias. This winning documentary tells how an adult son is looking for a connection with his father, a connection he couldn't find in his childhood when his father never looked towards him.

The frame narrative of the film is the completion of a metal gate at the end of the road leading to the homestead, a home that father built, but which, decades later, is still partially in progress, like many other things around the yard and perhaps in his life in general. Slowly the son and the father approach each other and new, perhaps hidden, thoughts open for each of them, about each other's lives and about the models of men that they have received in the past. With the completion of the gate, the son and the father also seem to find a way to each other, imperfect but ready to accept each other as they are. Forgiveness and acceptance open the gates to a common path.”

The Church Media Foundation was established 2015 by the 24 largest parish unions and the Church Council of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland. The purpose of the Foundation is to support and promote producing, distributing and broadcasting programs dealing with religion, ethical issues and values. In spite of normal production supports the foundation has awards both in the Oulu International Children and Youth Festival and in Tampere.

The film also won the Main Prize in the National Competition over 30 minutes and the Golden Shade Equipment Rental Prize For Cinematographer.

The documentary "Puss hej då" (Love you bye) by Anna Fredriksson wins the "Angelos" Film Prize of the Swedish Church 2023. The prize was awarded at the 46th Göteborg Film Festival (27. January-5. February, 2023) and is endowed with 50.000 SEK. The jury chose their winner from the Swedish films that premiered at the festival. The award was presented by Bishop Susanne Rappman.

The motivation of the jury reads: "Through evocative and poetic imagery, a personal and engaging narrative is brought to life, focussing on the challenges of togetherness in a time of shifting and changing gender roles.The portrayal goes from private family drama to open social reflection on male, female, parenthood, sisterhood, break-up and reconciliation.Explicit or implicit expectations lead to divisive crises, but the narrative also allows for self-reflection and development. The film "Kiss you bye" both portrays and reflects on private and universal relationship issues and invites meaningful conversations."

Members of the jury were Mikael Ringlander, provost and programme manager (president of the jury), Soia Sjö, Associate Professor of Religious Studies in Turku, Finland, and Christer Nilson, film producer and professor of film production.

Sarah Polley's "Women Talking" (USA 2022) is the winner of the Faith in Film Award at the 33rd Tromsø International Film Festival (16-22 January, 2023). The Award was established in 2017 by the Center for Art, Culture and Church, the Norwegian Church Academies, and the Tromsø Church Academy, in collaboration with the festival. It is meant for a film which engages and stimulates reflection and critical thinking about the religion’s place in society and in people’s lives.

The jury at the 2023 festival consisted of Nasra Ali Omar, Egill Heiður Anton Pálsson, and Eir Andreas Ihlang Berg.

In their motivation they said: "Through an exceptionally well written manuscript, beautiful filming and with a strong ensemble of actors, we found ourselves drawn into the question of how to react to unjust and horrible acts of sexual violence in our very midst. Through the voices of a group of women, the film addresses the eternal religious question of vengeance, forgiveness, and salvation.

We as the audience, do not only bear witness to a story of a powerful female community, but also voices of change that reflect on today’s society on questions of misogyny, sexism, and human equality. The film manages to address these questions through a religious language, that is recognizable in religious as well as secular communities." (Read the full motivation speech here.)

The film tells the story of a group of women living in a religious sect who are raped continuously, and about their discussions on their future. It received an Oscar® for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2023.

At the 8th Human Rights Film Festival Zurich (1-6 December 2022), a jury appointed by Interfilm Switzerland has awarded the Prix Célestine to "Alis" by Clare Weiskopf and Nicolas Hemelryck (Colombia, Chile, Romania 2022). The prize is endowed with 2,500 SFR. Members of the jury were Lea Dürig (Radelfingen), Mohammad Rezaeian (Bern), Katja Bury (Bern), Peter von Salis (Twann) and Marie-Madeleine Minder (Wettingen).

The Church Media Foundation´s "Look at Me…" -Award at the 41st Oulu International Children and Youth Film Festival (November 12-20, 2022) goes to the Finnish short film "Blanket" (Lakana, 2021), directed by Teppo Airaksinen.

The story describes how during the Winter War, 11-year-old Marja is sent from her home island to the town to fetch milk for her little brother. The ice is thin in places, but that’s not the most dangerous thing about Marja’s mission.

The Jury for this year award was Mrs Urpu Sarlin, board member of the Church Media Foundation.

Her statement to the winner: ”'Look at me' is the wish and need of every child. The child wants to be seen. It needs an accepting and understanding look. In the award winning film, this wish is fulfilled in many ways. At the same time, it conveys something very genuine to observe and live in an instant. The film's point of view is completely that of a child.

The theme of the film is very topical. The child lives in the midst of a war, like millions of children in Europe today. On its part, the film can help us understand and support children who are now living in the shadow of war. The film is a skilful feat. The narration is slow in tempo but keeps its grip in a magical way. The angles highlight the child's perspective. The lead role is played discreetly and gracefully. The child's experience is at the heart of the whole story.”

The award is 1.500 euros, and it has been delivered at Oulu International Children’s and youth film festival since 2009. The aim of the award is to support and to encourage filmmakers to deal with Christian values and ethical questions through their films. The Church Media Foundation has been established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and its biggest parish unions in 2005.

At the 12th Film Festival World Cinema Amsterdam (August 20-27, 2022), a jury of INTERFILM's institutional member Het Filmgesprek has awarded its Prize, the World cinema Exchange Award, to "My Small Land" (Mai sumoru randu, Japan 2022), directed by Emma Kawawada.

In their motivation for their decision the jury said: "Environmental justice, belonging, grief, mental health and speaking truth to power were some of the many themes that coloured the palette of films we viewed. […] We unanimously agreed that one film was the most thought provoking one, one that offered multiple discussion points: My Small Land. How can one get a sense of belonging when the state is flawed and its laws are dehumanising? […] The film succeeds in discussing the importance of moving on against all odds, of working towards a future when the present is at stake."

Members of the jury were Laura Quarto (director Leiden Shorts Film Festival), Rinke Vreeke (program and podcast maker) and Jeroen Helmers (film teacher). The awarded film had its premiere at the Berlinale 2022, in the section Generation Kplus. Emma Kawawada has been an assistant for Hirokazu Kore-eda. "A Small Land" is her first film. 

"The Emigrants" (Utvandrerne, Sweden, Norway 2022) by Erik Poppe wins the Andreas Award at the 50th Norwegian International Film Festival Haugesund (Augsut 20-26, 2022). The film was chosen by an Ecumenical Jury with the members Rune Steensnæs Engedal, Hanne Jacobsen, Kristin Aalen and Alf Kjetil Walgermo (president of the jury).

Their motivation for their choice reads: "This year’s winner tackles deep questions about cultural and religious identity. An independent and emotional script, built on familiar material. Even though the events in this story are long behind us, the film reminds us of our own present. With convincing directing, acting and cinematography this film presents the challenges of finding your own path and settling down somewhere new, when you, in addition to your own baggage are surrounded by powerful spiritual expectations. The accent between different religions – with their respective prejudices – are central in the film. The jury celebrates the creators ability to explore these existential questions with great artistic value."

The Andreas Award is given by the Norwegian newspaper Vårt Land and a jury appointed by Vårt Land, the Norwegian International Film Festival and Film & Kino.   

A jury appointed by the Church of Sweden has decided to award the Church of Sweden Youth Film Prize to "Olga" by Elie Grappe (Switzerland, France, 2021). The Prize is endowed with 100.00 Swedish Kroner, and was awarded at the International Children and Youth Film Festival in Malmö (March 19-25, 2022).

The film takes place in 2013 when Maidan Independence Square in Kyiv becomes the site of the growing popular protests that would lead to the resignation of the then Ukrainian government and president. 15-year-old elite gymnast Olga is sent away from the unrest to her dead father's native Switzerland, where she continues her preparations for the upcoming European Championships. But everyone she cares about remains in Ukraine, and as the championships approach, Olga is increasingly torn between different loyalties. The main character, Anastasia Budiashkina, is a former national team gymnast for Ukraine.

Members of the jury were Jesper Ödemark, jury chairman and parish educator who works with confirmands, young people and adults in Värby parish outside Malmö, Adam Hirshals Illi, priest in Bunkeflo Strandkyrka, Linn Gottfridsson, children's book author and screenwriter, and Oscar Westerholm, film critic in Sydsvenskan, Helsingborgs Dagblad and FLM.

The jury tookt their choice among a selection of eight films. Their motivation for "Olga" reads: "This year's winning film is a metaphorical table tennis match between elite gymnastics and world politics. The conscience and the heart are at home in Kyiv, but the security and the European Championship ticket are in Switzerland. Suggestive and sharp imagery. A story about how personal success can be meaningful, while being there for others is always meaningful. Painfully timely, but even without the events of the past month, this amazing film would be relevant and engaging."

The Church Media Foundation Award at the 52nd Tampere Film Festival (March 9-13, 2022) goes to Susanna Helke for the film "Armotonta menoa – Hoivatyön lauluja" (Ruthless Times - Songs for Care, Finland, 2022).

Angelos, the Church of Sweden Film Award, in 2022 was given to "Day by Day" (Dag för Dag) , directed by Felix Herngren. The prize was awarded by Bishop Susanne Rappmann in connection with the film's premiere during the ongoing 45th Gothenburg Film Festival (January 28-February 6, 2022). It is endowed with 50.000 Swedish kroner, and the Angelos statuette, created by Erland Forsberg.

Members of the jury were Ingrid Elam, Göron du Rées and Mikael Ringlander. Their motivation for the awrd reads: "Brilliant acting in a generous comedy portrayed with great craftsmanship on all levels: script, direction, photography and music. A warm story about both joy and pain that asks questions about the human journey towards the end of life."

Day by Day is about Malte (Sven Wollter), who does not intend to spend the last part of his life in a nursing home, but sets off on a road trip south. A few friends and staff from the accommodation come along for the trip, and there are plenty of complications during the journey in the motor home through Europe.

At the 32nd Tromsø International Film Festival (17-23 January, 2022) the Faith in Film Award was given to "Medusa", directed by Anita Rocha da Silveira from Brazil. The award was established by the Centre for Art, Culture and Church, the Norwegian Church Academies and the Tromsø Church Academy in 2017. The 2022 Jury was composed by Ylva Liljeholm, Fartun Husseinand Morten Kjerstad.

The motivation of the jury reads: "In Medusa we get to follow a young woman, Mariana, during her journey from dogmatic sisterhood and perverted theology to physical and spiritual liberation. Medusa is thought provoking, funny, scary, entertaining, beautiful, frightening, youthful and not least a solid craft and a work of art that has obviously cost blood, sweat and tears to make. Medusa plays with genres, it juggles a large number of themes, it is politically timeless and at the same time it puts the finger on fascism in today Brazil. The jury would like to emphasize that the film reminds us that we as humans are not good or evil but nuanced. We are living beings who will always be influenced by the context we are put in. As humans we may be divided but the divine is in all of us. This piece of film art makes us as audiences want to be better humans tomorrow than we are today."

The film also won the Aurora Prize, the main award of the festival.

Director Suvi West has been presented with the Church Media Foundation Award at the Tampere Film Festival 2021 for her film Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle. The award is endowed with € 1.500.

The winner was chosen by deputy board member Fred Nordström from the Church Media Foundation.

Eatnameamet – Our Silent Struggle portrays the indigenous Sámi people fighting for their existence. The film follows the ongoing cultural genocide of the Sámi which the current Governmental politics allow. This film is a cry for help for the last indigenous people living in the EU.

The motivationfor the award states: “This year, the Church Media Foundation will award a film at the Tampere Film Festival that depicts a people's struggle for existence. It paints a picture of a people living under a colonial yoke where people belonging to this ethnic group are told that they deserve to die, their land is bought, and their culture is appropriated or assimilated into the culture of the majority. We know that the world and history is full of similar stories. But this story takes place in modern times and in Finland which makes the film startling.

This documentary film is a gaze at ourselves. It also requires of the viewer the noble skill of listening but if and when giving the voices a chance to sink in, it is impossible not to be moved by the emotions expressed by fellow humans in the film and it offers no room for underestimation. The film creates an honest picture of important matters of the Sámi people and does not offer clichés, but rather uses peaceful images as contrast to the stereotypics we all are familiar with.

The Church Media Foundation supports and rewards films and programs that raise issues of respect for human dignity and human rights, give voice to minorities, discriminated people or people under pressure, where justice, solidarity, peace and reconciliation are at stake.

The film is an important reminder to us Finns that we also have our own history as oppressors.”

The Church Media Foundation was established 2015 by 24 largest parish unions and the Church Council of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland. The purpose of the Foundation is to support and promote producing, distributing and broadcasting programs dealing with religion, ethical issues and values.

The film Sweat, written and directed by Magnus von Horn, is awarded the Church of Sweden Film Prize "Angelos" 2021 at the Gothenburg Film Festival. The Prize is endowed with 50.000 SEK.

Sweat is about the fitness star and influencer Sylwia who is passionate about helping her hundreds of thousands of followers on social media to keep going. But behind the perky facade, she increasingly struggles with questions about closeness and relationships.

"Between the insatiable hunger on social media for new posts and the successful influencer's carefully constructed image of her ego, reality intrudes relentlessly. Shaking like a thriller but without contrived surprises, we reach a kind of insight: In our human vulnerability lives both strength and beauty. A skilful cinematic portrayal of the present where not a moment feels superfluous," said the jury in their motivation. Members of the jury were Gabriela Pichler (script writer and film director), Bengt Toll (film producer), Jakob Wirén (professor of theology), and Mikael Ringlander (president of the jury, pastor).

"I'm very happy for this award. For me, Sweat is about daring to embrace the unknown, something I feel that the Church of Sweden also stands for", says Magnus von Horn.

Magnus von Horn grew up in Gothenburg but lives and works in Poland, where he studied directing at the film school in Lodz. Sweat is his second feature film. His debut film Efterskalv  (The Here After) from 2015 was awarded for best film, best director and best supporting actor at the Swedish Guldbagge movie awards. Both films also premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Magnus von Horn has previously also made several short films.

At the 24th Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn 2020, the Ecumenical Jury chooses "Armugan" by Jo Sol as best film of the Competition. The festival was organised in a hybrid format.

"The crisp figurative language of Jo Sol’s Armugan pierces the flesh like a stake, creating, through the means of cinema, a suggestive sensory equivalent to the unity of the soul, spirit and body", says the Jury in their motivation, and continues: "The film confirms that the body is not weak when the spirit is strong and that the spirit can be strengthened through the body. The film reminds us that the talk about death should not be ideological but demands the remembering of death even in our everyday activities and also the importance of not being alone when dying. The message of the value and sanctity of life rings strong."

The jury was composed of five members: Andres Põder, Archbishop Emeritus, President of the Estonian Council of Churches; Madis Kolk, Editor-in-chief of the culture magazine "Teater. Muusika. Kino"; Marge-Marie Paas, Press Officer of the Roman Catholic Church in Estonia; Rainer Sarnet, film and theater director, winner of the Best Estonian Film award at the Black Nights Film Festival 2017; and Tõnis Kark, military chaplain, theater actor and musician.

On the evening of 21 November, 2020, the program of the 23rd Faludi International Film Festival in Budapest ended with an online award ceremony.  Prizes were awarded in 13 categories, including the award of the Ecumenical Jury. The festival was held entirely online for the first time in its 23-year history, due to the epidemic situation. The basic aim of the event is to launch a creative dialogue on social issues within the world of visual culture and to encourage creativity, and it is also important that applicants have the opportunity to interact with each other and experienced film professionals.

The Ecumenical Jury chooses traditionally only one film from the entire competition program (50 films in 11 competition blocks). In 2020 the jury awarded its prize to Magda Strzyżyńska for her short feature, A Day Like Today (OT: Dzień jak co dzień), which is also the director's first film.

„Dreams, hope dashed by reality, and how to deal with it: Magda Strzyżyńska tells us the story of a mother and her 13-year-old daughter at a local talent show," says the jury in the explanation of their choice. "Ordinary parents, ordinary teenagers, and their unshakable will to be someone in this world, which – in this day and age – means on stage. Whose perseverance will be stronger, the daughter’s or the mother’s?

Within roughly twenty minutes, the Polish director sketches the drama of life, the pains of growing up, coping with the plans of the parents, the attempts of bending reality to make it fit  our ideas or what is said to be written in our stars. Life, however, doesn’t work that way. Life is the art of loving your child even if they fail, the art of letting your dreams behind in order to set your children free to dream their own future. Education means you do whatever it takes for your child, what you think is important for him or her, sensing at what point you need to stop your well-intentioned efforts – and knowing that your child will be more likely to copy your own way of dealing with failure than wanting to pursue the dreams you have not achieved yourself.

The formal aspects of the film support the storyline and the development of the two main characters: exposition of the figures and the plot in the introduction, growing stress before the audition, unexpected behaviour of both the mother and the daughter, and finally a somewhat hopeful outcome insofar as both generations have taken healthy steps in the relationship with one another as well as in their respective lives. The secondary characters are not just staffage, but help move the short movie towards its climax. The music, rather than being background noise, mirrors in its form and content what we ourselves deal with while witnessing the failing protagonists. Will they attend four more talent shows like the mother’s friend and her daughter?”

The members of the Ecumenical Jury in 2021 were Jean-Paul Käser (Switzerland), freelance translator, member of the institutions Filmgilde and Filmpodium Biel; Matías Zemljič (Slovenia), Argentinian-Slovenian director, screenwriter and film editor; Gergely Nacsinák (Hungary), orthodox priest and writer; and Balázs Paksa (Hungary), journalist and editor.

Link: Closing Ceremony

Link: Round table discussion of the Ecumenical Jury

Link: Festival website

The winner of the “Look at me” Award of the Church Media Foundation at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival 2020 is director Paul-Anders Simma and his documentary youth film  Ráhkkis eadni (My Dear Mother, Finland, Sweden, Norway, 2019).

The documentary follows teenagers Tasha and her dearest friend Alyona as they seek to find out why their mothers abandoned them. Dasha and Alyona grew up together in an orphanage and their childhoods were haunted by sorrow, confusion and loneliness. Tasha’s traumatic family history had fallen on her shoulders when she was only a child. She also didn’t have the opportunity to familiarize herself with her Sámi background, its language and its culture. Their friendship carries them through tears, and the definition of a loving family proves to be diverse and inclusive.

The Jury for this year’s award was Monica Vikström-Jokela, broadcaster for the Swedish-speaking children's programmes of the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE.

Her statement of the winner reads: “My Dear Mother makes you feel how desperately everyone longs for the love of one’s parents. The film also shows that there is comfort in learning about your own history. And above all: If your parents fail you, others may step in and become your safety net. You are not necessarily alone.

Throughout, the makers of this film stay close to the faces of Tasha and Alyonna as they grow from children to teenagers on the verge of independence. This consequent use of close-ups draws the viewer close to the main characters, while the visual storytelling keeps the grown-ups at a distance. This is probably why this otherwise conventionally built documentary breaks the screen with surprising force and gets under the skin of the viewer. Waking up the next day, you still find yourself thinking of Dasha and Alyona and wondering what happened to them.

Religious elements evoke respect as well as questions: How can an abandoned teenager think that she is paying for the sins of her mother?”

The award is 1.500 Euros, and it has been delivered at Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival since 2009. The aim of the award is to support and to encourage filmmakers to deal with Christian values and ethical questions through their films. The Church Media Foundation has been established by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and its biggest parish unions in 2005.

The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award was presented September 30th at on online award gala sent from Malmö. The winning film is Lola (Lola vers la mer, Belgium/France 2019), directed by Laurent Micheli. The motivation of the jury reads: "Being forced to reconsider those expectations of how life should be is their journey, not their destination. In this road movie unexpected characters and changing conditions help traveling companions confront their difficult relationship and clear a path toward their uncertain future."

In addition, the jury awarded a Commendation, accompanied by an INTERFILM diploma, to La Inocencia (Spain, 2019) directed by Lucía Alemany. "Formative days in the life of a circus performer as a young woman in a small town where everybody knows her name. Facing pressure from all sides to give up her dream before she's even begun, she remains determined, stays true to her dream and finds a way forward", the jury said in their motivation.

Juy members were Katarina Herbert, parish pastor at Husie and St Petri in Malmö, Sweden; Annika Nilsson, youth educator of Västra Skrävlinge parish in Malmö, Sweden; Gilda Naumanen, filmmaker at Carb collective; and Paul Kraus, founder and operator of Hypnos Theatre and chairperson of Föreningen Film in Malmö.

The BUFF International Children and Youth Film Festival in Malmö usually takes place in March but had to be postponed due to the pandemic. At last, on the 27-30th of September a semi digital/actual festival could take place in Malmö and on computers. A most welcome film festival event during these trying times. The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award is chosen from the films of the festival.

Director Elina Talvensaari received the Church Media Foundation Award for her documentary "Lady Time" (Neiti Aika, Finland 2019) at the 50th  Tampere Film Festival (March 4-8, 2020).

The winner was chosen by Mikko Hieta, deputy board member of the Church Media Foundation, and communications director in the education company Hyria that focuses on visual expression and training media professionals.

The motivation for the award states that "Lady Time" is simultaneously timely and timeless. It invites the viewer to pause and ponder big issues like loneliness, life without children, the perishability of everything and the things that truly matter in life.

An old lady has died with no one left to remember her. The filmmaker has purchased her apartment and everything the lady owned remained there and passed on to her. If she would throw everything away would the woman’s life disappear in oblivion?

In this documentary, the filmmaker becomes a modern-day Good Samaritan who volunteers to help selflessly an unknown person. With that, the viewers get lured into a mind-boggling journey through the time, through happiness and sorrow.

"Surely every one of us ends up thinking what will remain, when I am no more. This film is deeply touching, humane and a consoling reminder that life itself is meaningful even if the memories later on will be lost in the timestream", Mikko Hieta says.

The Church Media Foundation Award is given to a domestic film every year at the Tampere Film Festival, and is presented to the film director. The award is endowed with 1.500 €.

15 years ago, the Church Media Foundation was established by the 24 largest parish unions and the Church Council of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Finland. The purpose of the Foundation is to support and promote producing, distributing and broadcasting programs dealing with religion, ethical issues and values.

A film from Hungary won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury (SIGNIS/INTERFILM) at the 22nd Faludi International Film Festival: Mrs. Rozgonyi, by Rozália Szeleczki (OT: Rozgonyiné, Hungary, 2018).

"Mrs Rozgonyi", a short film of 22 minutes, tells the story of a young couple who, on the eve of their wedding, leave together for the bachelor party, where they will experience a series of unusual events. With humour, a certain tension, and excellent directing, the director shows how this couple overcomes the pitfalls by supporting each other, while revealing their real selves.

Since its foundation the Faludi Ferenc Academy has been concerned with cinematic art through organizing trainings and workshops. In 1996 the Academy created a thematic film competition and festival to promote amateur filmmakers. The festival has come a long way since its early years and in 2019 it announces its 22nd edition.

Every year a certain value or taboo is placed in the focus of the festival to inspire creating and initiate social discourse around the given topics. The organizers attach crucial importance to choosing real values as the theme of the festival and to initiating conversation about them. Every year the institute expects projects that focus on such a topic that puts a social or spiritual need or problem in the spotlight. It is essential for the films and photos to have an original message which they express through the language of pictures.

The ecumenical jury at the award ceremony, from left: Ferenc Varsányi, Timea Kókay-Nagy, and Magali van Reeth

This year’s theme Calling challenges our vocations, the motives behind our actions.

The 22nd Faludi International Film Festival and Photo Competition took place between November 27 and 30 in Budapest, Hungary, with the presence of an Ecumenical Jury for the very first time. The members of the Jury were Tímea Kókai-Nagy (Hungary), Magali van Reeth (France), and Ferenc Varsányi (Hungary).

Link: Festival Homepage

"Zen sul ghiaccio sottile" (Zen in the Ice Rift) by Margherita Ferri from Italy is the winner of the Church of Sweden Youth Film Award 2019. The prize, endowed with 100.000 SEK by the Church of Sweden, was presented at the Award Ceremony of the BUFF Young People's Film Festival in Malmö on 28th March by Rev Per Svensson. The film tells the story of a young woman's struggle for identity and self-assertion in a hockey team where she is the only female player.

"There is a time for everything. A time to die. A time to be born. A time to tear down. A time to build. In this intense story with its directness and authenticity we follow a human being's liberation and fight. A story about the sexes without sex itself being the focal point. This challenges the viewer in a convincing way thanks to extraordinary performance by the actors,” the jury motivated its decision.

Members of the jury were Jesper Ödemark, parish educator for confirmation and youth activities, Erica Lang, pastor, Ivica Zubak, director, script writer and producer, and actress Zahraa Aldoujaili.

Director Eirik Svensson with the INTERFILM Diploma (photo: © Maria Lundström)

In addition, the jury awarded an INTERFILM Diploma to the Norwegian film "Harajuku" by Eirik Svensson. The jury motivation reads: "A visually colourful picture which touches and charms. With emphasis on feelings of being lost and feelings of longing, the picture shows how life can transform itself in a few moments. With its timeless subjects like dreams of the future, loss and abandonment, the story is both pressing and important." The film tells the story of an existential turning point in the life of a teenage girl fascinated by Japanese culture.

Link: Information on "Zen in the Ice Rift" by the film's production company

The Church Media Foundation Award at the 49th Tampere Film Festival (March 6-10, 2019) was given to the director Reetta Huhtanen for her feature-length documentary film debut "Gods of Molenbeek" (Aatos ja Aminen, Finland 2019).

"Gods of Molenbeek" follows two six-years old boys, Aatos and Amine who live in the Molenbeek district of Brussels which is seen in media as jihadi capital. Aatos wants a god of his own as Amine already has Allah but the question is complicated by his friend Flo’s belief that people who believe in God have gone crazy. The children’s play is interrupted as terrorist bombs explode in a metro station nearby.

The jury for the award was Mr. Seppo Simola. He is emeritus Editor-in-Chief and Director of Communication of the Helsinki Parish Union. He has studied theology and communication in the University of Helsinki, and was board member and Vice Chair of the Church Media Foundation 2010-2018. His arguments about the film:

The Church Media Foundation is supporting and awarding films and programmes which motivate viewers to reflect deep values, peace and love between people and the questions dealing with ethics and religion.

The European history is telling dark stories about times when mistrust between people, discrimination of those who have different thoughts or religion and agitating prejudice are dominating. These questions are again frighteningly actual in Europe today.

The Church Media Foundation is awarding in the national competition at the Tampere Film Festival 2019 a film, which is dealing in a good-natured, even funny but at the same time profound way with the friendship and connection between people who are thinking differently and have different faiths. The film literally consists of a lot of ethical and religious thinking. It raises questions which are touching and interesting also for children. The film takes us in a tragic way directly to the very centre of the pain of today’s Europe.

The prize is endowed with 1.500 € and is given to the director of the best film in the National Competition. It was awarded now for the third time at the Tampere Film Festival.

The Church Media Foundation has been established 2005 by The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and it is supporting filmmakers to do programs dealing with religion and ethical issues. It has also two film prizes: Since 2009 at the Oulu Children and Youth Film Festival, and at the Tampere Film Festival since 2017.

At the award ceremony (from left): Elin Marklund and Andreea Petre, the two main actresses of the film, film director Victor Lindgren and Bishop Susanne Rappmann (© photo: Mikael Riklander)

"Till drömmarnas land" (The Unpromised Land) by Swedish film director Victor Lindgren wins the "Angelos", the Church of Sweden Film Award, in 2019. Bishop Susanne Rappmann awarded the prize at the premiere of the film at the 42nd Göteborg Film Festival (January 25 - February 3, 2019). It carries a prize money of 50.000 SEK donated by the Swedish Church.

The members of the jury were Ewa Cederstam, cinematographer, documentary filmmaker, and lecturer; Gunnar Bergdahl, culture journalist, editor, film maker, and former festival director of the Göteborg Film Festival; and jury president Mikael Ringlander, pastor, and project manager Kultursamverkan of the Göteborg diocese.

Till drömmernas land

The motivation of the jury reads: "With strong presence, fingertip sensitivity and intensity this debut feature captures a range of the most acute contemporary issues. Urban versus rural, us versus them, alienation and longing. Cinematic craftsmanship seamlessly blends with unforgettable portraits of two young women who meet beyond all language barriers. All captured in visually strong images creating an important reflection of Sweden today."

In co-operation with the festival, the Swedish Church organised seminars, panel talks and a workshop connected to the festival's "Focus: Apocalypse". The events included discussions on the existential, philosophical and emotional dimensions of the apocalyptic threat, on apocalypse and pop culture, and with American author and scholar Roy Scranton who teaches and publishes within the area of apocalyptic theory.

At the 37th Oulu Film Festival for Children and Youth (November 12-18, 2018) the "Look at me..." Award of the Church Media Foundation has been given to "Supermarsu" (Super Furball) by Joona Tena (Finland, 2018). The prize is endowed with € 1500.

Pauli Juusela, editor and deputy member for the board of the Church Media Foundation, was the juror of the award. His motivation for the prize reads: "The superhero in Joona Tena’s film , a Guinea big, is an extraordinary  hero, funny and suitable for children: fluffy and soft, but flying, dressed in a tracksuit. However, the real superhero in this film is Emilia, presented by Elli Jäppinen. Emilia recognizes she can be brave as being an ordinary girl named Emilia, not only when she is the superhero.

The film is scripted funny and directed with speed. The story itself is good and accurate: It handles the environmental problem, the pollution of the Baltic Sea, in a good way, suitable for children. Also, the bullying in the school is handled insightfully, because the film describes clearly: the bullying needs not only the bully him- or herself but also the bystanders. With a good humor one can deal with these difficult issues."

Link: Festival website

At the 35th International Film Festival for Children and Young People BUFF Malmö 2018, the Church of Sweden Jury has chosen its winners. The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award, endowed with 100.000 SEK by the Church of Sweden Central Office, the Lund Diocese and the Malmö Parish, goes to "I Kill Giants" by Anders Walters (USA, 2017). In addition, the jury for the first time awarded an INTERFILM Diploma as a commendation to a film which fulfils best the criteria applied by juries with the involvement of INTERFILM at other international film festivals. The winning film is "Saturday Church" by Damon Cardasis (USA, 2017).

The jury selected the award winners from the Films for Young People competition section of the festival.

Members of the jury are: pastor Katarina Vaarning (jury president); Jesper Ödemark, educator working with youth, film and communication; director and producer Manal Masri, Head of the Swedish Radio Drama Department in Malmö; and Ida Kjellin, scriptwriter and film and TV journalist.

The festival screened 118 films from 46 countries. The theme for the 2018 edition was "Role Models". During the festival, the Church of Sweden organised two additional events: an information about using films for reflection on questions of life, and a screening of Albert Lamorisse's short film classic "Le ballon rouge", accompanied by an organ improvisation.

Motivations for the awards (links):

- Church of Sweden Youth Film Award

- INTERFILM Diploma

The documentary "Vyrittäjä" (Entrepreneur) by Finnish director Virpi Suutari wins the Church Media Foundation Film Prize at the Tampere Film Festival 2018 (March 7-11). The film combines the stories of a small businessman and his family selling meat wih his truck across the country, and two woman scientists who invented a vegetarian protein product and becam millionaires.

Juror of the prize was Eva Wäljas, spokesperson and development expert for the Evangelical Lutheran Parish Union of Tampere, and member of the board of the Church Media Foundation. She studied media and communication at Helsinki and film in Canada. Her motivation for her choice reads:

"Faith, hope and love. Three views through which I have watched this year´s films of the national competition at the Tampere Film Festival as the jury of the Church Media Foundation. The criteria for the Church Media Foundation Prize require promoting Christian values: love of your neighbour, Christian hope and responsibility for each other as well as for the environment. The task has been inspiring and at the same time challenging: there have been several films in the competition that raise the aforementioned themes and values. Still, there was one film that met all the criteria.
The film is about Finland, a divided country where people live in different realities. But for me, the film tells about humankind that is the same whether you live in a rural parish or in the capital. Each of us has the need to believe, to hope and to love and to be loved back. Life is a series of successes and failures, and we can consider ourselves lucky to have someone sharing those moments with us. The film has a very subtle and gentle way to deal with faith which I find very valuable. Faith is shown as a resource: for the love for your neighbours and the choices we make in our everyday lives, for mercy and forgiveness, trust and hope even when faith and hope are put to test. Faith is not sized down to an isolated part of a person´s life but is shown as an integral part of life, just as work is.
The film is of high quality and skillfully made, and meets the criteria of this prize. I appreciate the director’s ability to observe her object compassionately and gently."

The prize is worth € 1.500 and has been awarded for the second time.

The Church of Sweden Film Jury - Annika Broman, Erik Jeppsson, and Mikael Ringlander - choose "Amatörer" (Amateurs, Sweden 2018) by Gabriela Pichler as winner of the Church of Sweden Film Award 2018, the Angel Award. The Bishop of Göteborg, Susanne Rappmann, presented the prize to the director at the 41st Göteborg Film Festival (January 26 - February 5, 2018). The film also won the Dragon Award for the best Nordic film, the main award of the festival. The Angel Award is endowed with SEK 50.000.

"It's a likeable movie, but also one that gives thought. It raises questions about living conditions, work environment and solidarity. It's about a small place where people know that 'we've had our great time', but where you fight and try. It's done with human love and amazingly beautiful characters, "said Mikael Ringlander, chairman of the jury.

"Amateurs" is the second feature film of director Gabriela Pichler after her debut film "Eat Sleep Die" (2012). 

The Angel Award was established in 2002. It honours Nordic films with a high artistic qualitiy that reveal existential, just and social issues by its narrative and expression, and is chosen from the Nordic competition of the Göteborg Film Festival.

Link: Festival homepage

[video:https://youtu.be/hLTPwbBWSy4]

"Per Fugelli: Siste resept" (Per Fugelli: The Last Prescription), a documentary by Norwegian film director Erik Poppe, has won the 2nd Faith in Film Award at the Tromsø International Film Festival 2018 (January 15-21). The film portrays the doctor, professor of social medicine and human rights activist Per Fugelli, who died from cancer in 2017. In 2015, he denied further medical treatment and, as the festival catalogue says, "challenged the taboo of speaking about death by writing books about his own struggle with fatality."

The Faith in Film Award was established in 2017 at the Tromsø International Film Festival to honour films which contribute to a better understanding of the significance of religion in the daily lifes of modern people. It carries a prize money of € 1.000, donated by the founders of the award: the Center for Art, Culture and Church, the Norwegian Church Academies, and the Tromsø Church Academy.

Members of the 2018 jury were Faten Mahdi Al Hussaini, NRK Program Host and part of the initiative of «Ring of Peace» at the Oslo Synagogue; Sigmund Nesset, Head librarian at the Tromsø University Library; and Anne Veiteberg, Editor of Verbum Publishing and former Secretary General of the Tromsø Church Academy.

The „Look at me“-Award of the Church Media Foundation of Finland at the Oulu Film Festival for Children and Youth 2017 (Nov. 11-19, 2017) was given to the short film Kukista ja mehiläisistä (About the Birds and the Bees) by J. J. Vanhanen.

The film tells a story about a teenage boy and girl to whom that accident happens.

The Media Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland grants a 1500-Euro prize to a Finnish feature or short film at the festival. The prize is intended to support Finnish films for children and young people and encourage film makers to examine Christian responsibility and values. This year the recipient was chosen by producer, director and screenwriter Nina Granvik.

According to Ms. Granvik, the film's makers have been bold enough to try and reach a very difficult target group, teenagers. She added that the strength of the film is its compassionate humour.

In the evening of March 24th, 2017, the Church of Sweden’s 2017 Youth Film Award was presented to the Danish-Icelandic film "Heartstone" (Hjartasteinn), directed by Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson.

The award was presented by Vicar Anders Ekhem of the Malmö group of parishes as part of the  BUFF Young People’s Film Festival in Malmö.

Heartstone is a story about best friends Thor and Christian in a village in the Icelandic countryside and one dramatic summer holiday where their friendship is tested to breaking point. Iceland’s magnificent landscapes play a supporting role in the film. Heartstone is director Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundsson’s feature film debut. The film has already been awarded by the Ecumenical Jury at the 32nd International Film Festival Warsaw in October 2016.

The Church of Sweden’s Youth Film Award is presented in connection with BUFF since 2007. The award amounts to SEK 100,000.

The jury’s citation: “A sensual relationship is described against the backdrop of a violent landscape. A search for identity with cracks that let in both the light and mystery. A story of passion is depicted with sensual imagery and warmth.”

The jury for the Church of Sweden's Youth Film Award 2017: Sanna Lenken, director and script writer. Her feature film debut Min lilla syster (My Little Sister) (2015) has won many awards internationally, including a Crystal Bear in Berlin for Best Youth Film.Sofia Norlin, director, script writer and teacher of film studies in Sweden and France. Her feature film debut Ömheten(Tenderness) (2013) won the prize for the best European debut film in young people’s film festival Zlín in the Czech Republic, and a Swedish Guldbagge award for best photography. Katarina Vaarning Priest, vicar, Husie parish, Malmö. Ran the film club for many years at St Johannes in Malmö, is responsible for planned, coordinated work with film in the Church of Sweden in Malmö. Jesper Ödemark Parish education officer, responsible for confirmation candidate and other youth activities in Värby parish, where he works with film groups, for example.

The Church of Sweden’s Youth Film Award is a collaboration between the Church of Sweden at the national level, the Diocese of Lund, and the Malmö group of parishes. During the festival, the Church of Sweden also holds seminars and runs other activities. This year, the Church of Sweden was co-organiser of a seminar on the child's right to be seen and heard in cultural life. For the fourth year in a row, the organist at St Petri parish, Carl-Adam Landström, also gave a concert of film music in St Petri Church. There was also a fair with a film theme in connection with the festival.

“BUFF is important as the biggest young people’s film festival in Sweden. These films can delve deeper into subjects that we as a church deal with in our activities. Our starting point is the Bible, but we also need to be able to incorporate the big stories, the big words in contemporary life and very often film is an excellent medium for this,” says Katarina Vaarning, priest and member of the jury for the Church of Sweden's Youth Film Award.

The Church Media Foundation Prize at the Tampere Film Festival 2017 was given to the director Elina Hirvonen for her documentary film "Boiling Point" (Kiehumispiste, Finland 2017, 90 min).

"Boiling Point" studies the cause and effect of the spread of fear and hate by observing people with different backgrounds. An immigration critic and a fascism researcher tie the events together while pondering these questions every Friday in a public sauna.

The jury for the prize was Mr. Jean Bitar. He is a film director born in Beirut. He graduated from the Moscow film institute. He moved to Finland in 1978. In 1984 he founded Bitar Films that has been active ever since.

His arguments about the film:

“For me there have been recently quite a lot of different programs, which have been dealing with refugees and immigrants. Even so much that I thought to select some other theme for my choice. However, when I saw a film, which was dealing evenhandedly the Finnish reality with its wounds, where is space for different standpoints, I felt how important such a statement is. You cannot overestimate its importance.  I'm an immigrant myself, living in Finland over thirty years, so I think I'm capable to estimate this question both as an immigrant and as a Finn. That is why I see the importance of these kind of statements, where people are talking openly with each other with respect. Two men in the sauna, without any masks or signs, listening each other and respecting each other, that is the picture I would like to be strengthened. The film is honest, well done with high artistic level and thus fulfills all the criteria for the prize.”

The prize is 1.500 euros and it is given to the director of the best film in the National Competition. It was awarded now for the first time in Tampere Film Festival.

The Church Media Foundation has been established 2015 by The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and it is supporting filmmakers to do programs dealing with religion and ethical issues. It has also two film prizes: Since 2009 at the Oulu Children and Youth Film Festival and since 2017 also at the Tampere Film Festival.

Link: Film website

"Beyond Dreams" (Dröm vidare; photo: © Pluto Films)

"Dröm vidare" (Beyond Dreams), directed by Rojda Sekersöz (Sweden, 2017) is the winner of the Church of Sweden Film Award "Angelos" 2017. The prize is endowed with 50.000 SEK and was awarded during the Göteborg International Film Festival (January 27 - February 6, 2017). The jury of three members consisted of Caroline Krook, former bishop of the Diocese of Stockholm, Roland Hedlund, manager and producer at Swedish television, and Pastor Mikael Ringlander, chairman of the jury.

Beyond Dreams is a drama about friendship, loyalty, identity and class. The motivation of the jury for the award underlines the strength of the main character, Mirja, played by Evin Ahmad: "The Church of Sweden Film Award goes to the film Beyond Dreams for the credible depiction of a young woman's struggle to finding and staying true to her own identity. The director Rojda Sekersöz’s full length feature debut impresses in the portrayal of friendship for good or bad and the vision of that it is never too late to begin again." The film won a number of other awards, such as the Audience Award in Göteborg, the Fipresci Award in Haugesund (Norway) and the Best Female Actor and Best Film Award in Duhok (Iraq).

On November 19, 2016, the Church Media Foundation Award "Look at Me" at the Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival 2016 has been committed to the winner. It is director Selma Vilhunen and her youth film Tyttö nimeltä Varpu (Little Wing, Finland 2016). The film is about a 12 year old girl growing up without a father and with an infantine mother.

The Judge for this year's award was Mrs Elina Rislakki, board member of the Church Media Foundation and a media professional who has worked as a journalist, producer and pedagogue.

Her statement of the winner reads: "A film that takes us to the world of a little girl. Brutally honest story, which touches the viewer deeply. Brilliant work from the actors and wonderful evidence about the director’s talent. A film for all of us."

The award is 1.500 euros, and it has been delivered at Oulu International Children’s and Youth Film Festival since 2009 for the best national children’s and youth film.

Director Hogir Hirori with the "Angelos" icon

"Flickan som räddade mitt liv" (The Girl Who Saved My Live) by Hogir Hirori is the winner of the Angelos Award, the film prize of the Swedish Church, at the 39th Göteborg Film Festival 2016 (Januray 29-February 8). The Prize is endowed with 50.000 SEK by the Church of Sweden.

“There’s a war in my home country again.” That’s how the filmmaker begins his film. In August 2014 he leaves his pregnant wife in Sweden to travel to his homeland, Iraqi Kurdistan, and recount the fates that have affected the over 1.4 million people fleeing ISIS. Through the people he meets, Hogir also relates some of his own experience with war and seeking refuge, which establishes a solid legitimacy for his filmmaking and a credible identification with those he records.

The jury, appointed by the Church of Sweden, chose the winner among the 16 feature films (documentary and fiction) premiering in the competition of the Göteborg Film Festival 2016. Jury screenings are held in advance at the Gothenburg diocese office exclusively for the jury, thus enabling to present the award at the first screening of the film during the festival. The winner is kept a secret until this event.

Still from "The Girl Who Saved My Live" (© Hogir Hirori)

"Hogir Hirori is not merely a spectator but allows himself to be engaged by the conflict situation in Kurdish part of Iraq. A compassionate choice becomes an artistic choice, which also saves his life. By willingly passing the camera and thus the interpretive imperative on to others he sees each and one of us as a fellow human being", the jury said in motivating their decision. Members of the jury were Reverend Mikael Riklander, Ola Sigurdson, professor of Religious Studies and Systematic Theology at the university of Göteborg, and Neta Normo, curator, filmmaker and producer.

The awarded director, Hogir Hirori, was born 1980 in Duhok, Kurdistan. In 1999 he fled to Sweden where lives and works today. He is a free lance photgrapher, editor and film maker and runs the production company Lolav Media. 

The short film "If I Ruled" by Jenni Kangasniemi and Aino Suni has won the "Look at me..." Church Media Foundation Award at the 34th Oulu International Children's and Youth Festival (November 16-22, 2015). The winner was chosen by Kirsi Tykkyläinen, an accomplished film professional who has worked as artistic director in the Moscow International Film Festival and led the international department of the Finnish Film Foundation.

"It was rewarding to get the opportunity to see the films in the Finnish Competition at the 34th Oulu International Children's and Youth Film Festival. Fun, complex, exciting, sweet, important works!", said Ms. Tykkyläinen. "I have decided to give the Church Media Foundation Award to directors Ms Jenni Kangasniemi and Ms Aino Suni for their film If I Ruled. It is a beautiful and harmonious film that prompts: 'Look at me, hear me', and this way it expresses the theme of the award in a simple but impressive manner. If I Ruled is a touching, eloquent and strong appeal from the young to the adults."

The motivation of the award reads: "Speak out. Six teenage girls open up about issues that bother them in the daily life. They also tell about their hopes and dreams, and how they would change the situation if they got the chance to decide."

The Church Media Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland grants a 1500 € prize to a Finnish feature or short film at the festival. The prize is intended to support Finnish films for children and young people and encourage film makers to examine Christian responsibility and values.

Link: http://www.tuffifilms.com/production/if-i-ruled

On Friday, March 13th, the winners of the BUFF Malmö 2015 were announced. The best children's film (City of Malmö's Children's Film Prize) became Life According to Nino, directed by Simone van Dusseldorp, Netherlands 2014. The huge winner of the evening however was X+Y , directed by Morgan Matthews, UK 2014, which received no less than three prizes: The Church of Sweden Youth Film Award, the Prize of the Young Film Jury, and the European Children's Film Association Award. It is about an autistic youth who has a special gift for mathematics. “The film depicts a grieving process with all the suffering involved. But the story conveys strong hope that we can live our lives even though we don’t understand everything. The nice thing about the film is that love, on various levels, is what breaks the paralysis of grief,” says Beatrice Lönnqvist, chair of the jury for the Church of Sweden’s Youth Film Award. The award was presented by Bishop Johan Tyrberg.

On January 29, the Church of Sweden’s 2015 film award was presented to the documentary "Every Face Has a Name", directed by Magnus Gertten. The prize of SEK 50,000 and the Angelos icon were presented by cathedral dean Karin Burstrand from Gothenburg Cathedral parish, in conjunction with the film’s premiere during the Göteborg International Film Festival.

The winning documentary is about survivors from the Nazi concentration camps and freed prisioners of war who arrived at the port of Malmö in 1945. Filmmaker Magnus Gertten traced several of the refugees who appear on newsreel footage from their arrival in Sweden, and asked them to tell him their story. The result is a poignant testimony about the moment of liberation.

The jury’s motivation: “A painfully poignant film about people fleeing over the years. Ships arrive in two ports: Malmö in 1945 and Pozzallo today. Behind every anonymous person there is a human life. Names are put to faces and thereby their stories are, too. Only then can liberation actually take place.Magnus Gertten’s outstanding documentary asks questions that are extremely topical. Is our compassion borderless? What does it mean to be a human being? Every face has a name is a reminder of the humanistic values that give humanity hope.”

Members of the jury were Tuulikki Koivunen Bylund, doctor of theology and bishop emerita, Härnösand Diocese; Lena Runge, film editor and dramaturgical consultant in editing. Senior lecturer at the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts; Mikael Ringlander, chair of the jury,  pastor and project manager of the cultural collaboration Kultursamverkan at the Church of Sweden in Gothenburg Diocese; and Charlotte Wells, art historian, the Church of Sweden’s officer for cultural issues and member of the INTERFILM  Board.

The documentary "I am a Fucking Panther" by Leo Palmestål, Anders Rundberg, and Jennifer Jerez is the winner of the Church of Sweden Film Award "Angelos" 2014. The prize was presented by bishop Per Eckerdal at the premier screening of fhe film at the Gothenburg International Film Festival on January 29th 2014. The winners were awarded with 50.000 SEK and an Angelos icon by Erland Forsberg. The jury's motivation reads: "With patience and delicate closeness the directors capture the initiative and drive of the Panthers. The film demonstrates the acute need for a vitalization of democracy and inspires to solidarity and commitment. The jury’s united reaction: I want to be a panther too!” The members of the jury were Rev. Mikael Ringlander (President), Gothenburg Diocese, Anne-Louise Eriksson, Dean at the Church of Sweden Institute for Pastoral Education, Charlotte Wells, Executive Official for Culture at Church of Sweden, and Gorki Glaser-Müller, director and video artist.  

At the Göteborg International Film Festival 2013 (January 25 - February 4, 2013) the Angelos, the Church of Sweden Film Award, has been given to "Godheten" (The Goodness) by Stefan Jarl (Sweden 2012). "With convincing earnestness and sense of humor Stefan Jarl in The Goodness /Godheten depicts our money driven society where the value of man and life is marginalized. The Goodness makes us see what we loose," the motivation of the jury reads. The Award carries a prize money of 50.000.- SEK, donated by the Church of Sweden. The members of the Jury were: Mikael Ringlander (chair), minister, Göteborg; Monika Tunbäck-Hanson, film critic, Göteborg; Susanne Wigorts Yngvesson, Dr theol., Stockholm School of Theology.

The jury, from left: Susanne Wigorts-Yngvessen, Monika Tunbäck-Hanson, Mikael Ringlander

The Church of Sweden Film Award 2012 has been given to the comedy Flicker (Flimmer, Sweden 2011). The prize money of SEK 50,000 was presented by Lars Eckerdal, former bishop of Gothenburg, at the Dragon Awards gala during the 35th Göteborg International Film Festival (January 27-February 6, 2012).

Flicker, a heart-warming comedy about life at a failing telecommunications company, is the film debut of director Patrik Eklund. Its message is that it is helplessness that brings people’s humanity to the fore most clearly. Kjell Bergqvist plays the part of a reluctant managing director in the film, which portrays the struggle of ordinary people against threats to climate, demands for growth, childlessness and arachnophobia.

The reasons given by the jury for presenting the award to Flicker were as follows: “With warmth and ingenuity, Flicker portrays the human comedy. When life is at its darkest, deliverance is close at hand!” It is the first time since 2004 (Four Shades of Brown/Fyra nyanser av brunt) that a comedy is being awarded the prize.

The Church of Sweden Film Award is presented annually to a Swedish feature film that premières during the festival. The film must be of high artistic quality and raise the profile of existential, justice or social issues in its plot and form of expression. Films are nominated by Göteborg International Film Festival.

This year’s Film Award jury was made up of the following: 
Mikael Ringlander, chairman, priest and project manager of Kultursamverkan, Gothenburg. 
Ola Sigurdsson, professor of systematic theology at the University of Gothenburg and director of the Centre for Culture and Health.
Helle Sihm, actor, film critic and permanent jury member for the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Denmark’s Gabrielpris film award. 
Mikael Larsson, officer for cultural issues at the Central Church Office in Uppsala and contact for the Church of Sweden Film Award.

The documentary "Mammas Comeback" (A Mother’s Comeback) by Swedish director Åsa Ekman is the winner of the Church of Sweden Film Award 2011. The prize, endowed with 50.000 Swedish Crowns, has been awarded at the Göteborg Film Festival (January 28 – February 7, 2011). Nominees are Swedish films premiering at the festival. The film, says the jury in their motivation, is "a life-affirming story about dignity, integrity and the search for meaning", and "a film which shows how three people reveal qualities of strength, courage and unconditional love and an inspiration to awaken our inner power". Members of the jury were Mikael Ringlander (president of the jury, minister), Michael Kowalski (film pedagogue), Eva Staxäng (communications officer), and Mia Wright (film director).