Tereza Nvotova’s drama Father (Otec) has won the Screen International Award at the C EU Soon work-in-progress programme at Rome’s MIA Market.
Inspired by real events, Father is about a man who has everything – until one tragic summer day, when he realises too late that the infant daughter he thought he dropped off at nursery is still locked in the back of his car.
A Slovak, Czech and Polish co-production, Father is produced by Veronika Pastekovaá and Anton Skreko of Danae Production, Karel Chvojka and Milos Lochman of Moloko Film, and Marta Gmosińska and Mariusz Włodarski of Lava Films.
It marks Nvotova’s third feature. Her second, Nightsiren, premiered at Locarno Film Festival – Cineasti del presente in 2022, where it won Golden Leopard for best film.
Father was one of the projects showcased in MIA’s C EU Soon programme which is dedicated to European films in post-production looking for international sellers.
The C EU Soon jury comprised Rachael Labes, co-ordinator of acquisitions and productions at IFC; Alexandra Rossi, producer at Memo Films; and Katarzyna Siniarska, head of sales, New Europe Film Sales.
The jury said: “The director had the courage to face the darkness of the world with empathy, demonstrating a deep understanding of human storytelling. The cinematic language combined emotional intensity with nuanced character portrayal, while displaying great technical mastery of the craft.”
The Screen International Award was presented on the final evening of MIA Market, directed by Gaia Tridente, which ran from October 14-18 at Palazzo Barberini and Cinema Barberini in Rome.
It was a busy market. Attendance at the event increased by 10% compared to the 2023 edition, with more than 2,800 participants from 60 countries around the world. Over 600 projects were received this year for the Co-Production Market and Pitching Forum.
Further MIA 2024 winners
MIA Development Award For Outstanding Film Project
Death In Your Eyes
Dir: Guillermo de Oliveira
MIA Development Award For Outstanding Animation Project
Big Bang Parade by Hermien Verstraeten, Sine Özbilge, Nienke Deutz, Karolien Raeymaekers, Imge Özbilge, Britt Raes, Martyna Koleniec
Prod: Annemie Degryse, Lunanime and Lumière Groupe (Belgium), co-produced by Momakin (Poland) and Les productions de Milou (France).
MIA Development Award For Outstanding Doc Project
Reborn-Perfect Love
Dir: Giovanni Conte, Francesco Pascucci
Prod: Nicola Maiello and Camilla Gazzola (Amartia Film)
MIA Development Award For Outstanding Drama Project
The Night Watch by Steven Friedman
Prod: Edvard van’t Wout, Continent Studios
Paramount New Stories Award
Aya In The Desert
Prod: Norbert Llaràs, Alhena Production (Spain)
Gedi Visual Award
La Vita Che Mi Diedi/Pulling My Own Strings
Prod: Anna Frandino for Officina 38, Cinema Key
Dir: Alessandra Cataleta (Italy)
Wiftmi Award
Uglycomics / Fumettibrutti
Prod: Riccardo Russo, Bim Produzione
Writers: Teresa Ciabatti, Laura Luchetti and Michele Pellegrini
Carlo Bixio Award for Best Series Concept
Giovanni Mauriello for Chukar
Best Screenplay (ex aequo)
Doppio Fallo (Double Penalty) by Annalisa De Filippis and Eleonora Ghezz
La Nube (The Cloud) by Gianluca Tria and Lorenzo Garofalo
SIAE Award for best original screenplay
Il Gioco Dell’oca (The Game of the Goose) by Diego Pelizza
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