The First Alba Regia International Film Festival (ARIFF),claiming to be the first competitive event of its kind in Hungary, wrapped overthe weekend in the city of Szekesfehervar, an hour's ride away from Budapest.
The Best Film award went to The Death of Mr. Lazarescu by Cristi Puiu, still fresh from its victory inCannes (Best Film in Un Certain Regard section) and the multiple prizes in Clujlast week.
Isolde Fischer was picked as Best Actress for herperformance in the Swiss-German film When the Right One Comes by Oliver Paulus and Stefan Hillebrand. Tadez Toswon the Best Actor prize for his role in The Suburb by Slovenian Vinko Moderndorfer.
Muchrevered veteran actress Mari Torocsik and Miklos Jancso, the grand master ofHungarian cinema, were both handed Life Achievement Awards, the first duringthe opening ceremony of the festival, the second on closing night.
Festival's debut edition, which had to struggle against avariety of beginners' misfortunes, hosted, among others, guest directors Todd Solondz,Bruce Beresford, Luis Mandoki, Carlo Nero, actress-director Paprika Steen andrising Hollywood star Marton Csokas.
ARIFF director is Screen's correspondent in Hungary, BlankaElekes Szentagotai.
No comments yet