2023 Paper Bird Winners

2023 Paper Bird Award Winners

2023 Paper Bird Award for Fiction

Fiction Winner – Rue

(Directed by Casey Eldridge)

“A great piece of collaborative filmmaking and a moving story of a woman’s pain. We loved the inclusion of the filmmaker’s family members and how it drew on real 8mm home movies – these elements gave the film added depth and intimacy. We were equally impressed by the powerful dialogue, superb editing, fantastic cinematography, and strong sound design, and we felt that all these components came together to make a highly impactful and affecting work.”

Special Mention – There is No Peace of Mind

(Directed by Karol Ulman)

“A striking and atmospheric work of science fiction. We loved the highly original and thought-provoking concept, stunning cinematography, eerie sound design, and muted colour palette. Its existential reflection on life, death, rebirth, and transformation, made a lasting impression on us.”

2023 Paper Bird Award for Documentary

Documentary Winner – The Gallery

(Directed by Cordula Rieger)

“A brave and powerful film that builds from each individual story narrated from off-screen, into a chorus of women’s experiences of sexual violence. For the strong artistic sharpness of a talented young filmmaker and thoughtful construction of the narrative that allowed us to become invested in the stories, the Paper Bird Award for best documentary goes to the film The Gallery, directed by Cordula Rieger.”

Special Mention – Resilience (Dann Dole)

(Directed by Pierre Maurice Lopy)

“For the clear focus and universality of its subject matter, for the potential of a young filmmaker, that observes with candour and simplicity the daily resilience of a woman – any woman, we would also like to award a Special mention to the film Resilience (Dann Dole), directed by Pierre Maurice Lopy.”

2023 Paper Bird Award for Animation

Animation Winner – Small Hours

(Directed by Marta Sniezek & Christian Spurling)

“Small Hours reminds us of themes of collectiveness and connectivity as life unfolds through time and space. Through the use of a split screen approach, frame structure, windowed editing and melodic sound, we are able to understand the small wonders and love found in the world today through a narrative of distinct perspectives as we wonder peacefully from one impression to another, and forget about the complexities of everyday life.”

Special Mention – The Inbetween

(Directed by Juan Sebastian Bossano)

“The Inbetween draws on ongoing debates and public concerns about the issue of mental health. Through the impressive use of mise-en-scene and sound, it creates a mystical and frightening effect that draws attention to the processes of thinking, caring, and investing time and energy in creative works, and the difficulties associated with the production and delivery of such works.”

Special Mention – Resting Fog

(Directed by Nikolett Fábián)

“Resting Fog is an original exploration of life cycles, movements, rotations, and connections between the past and the present. It uses a rotoscope technique to tell a story based on silhouette block figures that allow themselves to drift away from light into darkness. In that way, we can immerse ourselves in the melancholic atmosphere of the space.”

2023 Paper Bird Award for Experimental

Experimental Winner – Soliloquium

(Directed by Karolina Monwid-Olechnowicz)

“Soliloquium beautifully articulates an ecological subconscious through an impressive combination of surrealist imagery and nature. When the aspect ratio narrows to a square at the start, our gaze remains fixed and we become mesmerised by a film that digs through the screen to reach previously unexplored, cinematic terrain.”

Special Mention – Beneath

(Directed by Beth Walker)

“A special mention goes to Beneath, an audio-visual gem that sheds a new ecological light on abstract filmmaking.”

2023 Paper Bird Audience Award

Winner – Out of Order

(Directed by Charlie Ledwidge, Harley Hunt, Sam Stevens, Mariana Sandoval Valencia)

What the audience had to say:

“Such a funny and quirky short animation. So many possibilities for further lift stops.”

“Love the character design and motion feels fluid.”

“Love the mix of humor with uncertainty and anguish.”