Swiss-Canadian director Peter Mettler won the $22,000 grand jury prize of the international competition with While The Green Grass Grows at Switzerland’s documentary festival Visions du Réel in Nyon today (April 28).
The project, described as “a free-flowing meditation on life, death and what lies beyond” in Screen’s review, will consist of seven parts once completed – two of which were presented as a world premiere at the festival. maximage are handling international sales. This is the second time Mettler has won this award.
Knit’s Island, shot entirely from inside a video game and directed by Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse and Quentin L’helgoualc’h, was awarded the jury prize of the Burning Lights competition, winning a cash prize $11,000.
The national competition winner was Nathalie Berger’s debut Chagrin Valley, about the daily life of retirement home residents.
The jury’s Prix Spécial went to the Korean production Defectors, while the special mention went to Piotr Pawlus and Tomazs Wolski’s In Ukraine.
The main jury comprised director Kleber Mendonça Filho, programme director Florence Almozini and producer David Epiney.
11 of the 18 winning films were directed by women.
The festival kicked off on April 21 and runs until April 30.
Visions du Réel winners 2023
International competition
Grand jury prize
While the Green Grass Grows
Dir: Peter Mettler
Special jury award
Defectors
Dir: Hyun kyung Kim
Special mention
In Ukraine
Dir: Piotr Pawlus and Tomasz Wolsk
Burning Lights
Grand jury prize
Knit’s Island
Dir: Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse and Quentin L’helgoualc’h
Special jury award
This Woman
Dir: Alan Zhang
Special mention
Guián
Dir: Nicole Chi Amén
National competition
Jury prize
Chagrin Valley
Dir: Nathalie Berger
Special jury award
The Wonder Way
Dir: Emmanuelle Antille
Special Mention
La Maison
Dir. Sophie Ballmer
Fipresci award
Knit’s Island
Dir: Ekiem Barbier, Guilhem Causse and Quentin L’helgoualc’h
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