‘April’ Takes Home Jury Prize at 81st Venice Film Festival
Update:
April, the singular sophomore effort from director Dea Kulumbegashvili '18, produced by Ilan Amouyal '17, has won the Special Jury Prize at the 81st Venice International Film Festival.
Kulumbegashvili’s film proved a standout for many at the festival even before being recognized at the Awards Ceremony over the weekend, and garnered significant critical acclaim.
Indiewire’s David Ehrlich was quick to label Kulumbegashvili “one of the world’s most visceral filmmakers” in his laudatory review.
Variety’s Guy Lodge was similarly convinced, noting, “the film should cement its 38-year-old helmer on the festival auteur A-list.”
The film, one of 21 features in the main competition, was awarded the prize by a Jury chaired by legendary actress Isabelle Huppert and presided by fellow filmmakers James Gray, Andrew Haigh, Agnieszka Holland, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Abderrahmane Sissako, Giuseppe Tornatore, Julia von Heinz, and Zhang Ziyi.
Kulumbegashvili finds herself in good company, with fellow winners at this year’s festival including acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar, whose The Room Next Door took home the Golden Lion, and Hollywood icon Nicole Kidman, who won the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress for her role in Babygirl.
See the full list of winners at this year’s festival here.
–
Original: August 12, 2024
Three projects by Columbia filmmakers have been officially selected for the 81st Venice International Film Festival, which will take place at the Lido di Venezia from August 28 to September 7, 2024.
April, directed by Dea Kulumbegashvili '18 and produced by Ilan Amouyal '17, is featured in the main competition, telling the story of Nina, an OB-GYN who faces accusations after a newborn's death. As her life undergoes intense scrutiny during the investigation, she continues her medical duties with unwavering determination, despite the risks involved.
The Orizzonti Short Films International Competition will showcase 13 short films, including My Mother is a Cow, directed by Moara Passoni '21, and Moon Lake, produced by Tony Yang '20. Moon Lake, set in the mid-2000s suburban Michigan, follows Tess, a reserved and strange middle schooler, who stains the floor at a sleepover. This world premiere screening will compete for the Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film, judged by the Orizzonti section jury.
Organized by La Biennale di Venezia the Venice International Film Festival aims to “promote international cinema as art, entertainment, and industry, fostering a spirit of freedom and dialogue.” A notable section of the festival is dedicated to the restoration of classic films, contributing to a deeper understanding of cinema history.
See a full lineup of the Venice International Film Festival here.
