With the award ceremony, the 12th Belgrade International Film Festival of people with disabilities came to an end

20. October 2021.

The Grand Prix of the 12th Bosifest went to the documentary film "A HOUSE / UNE MAISON" by the French director Judith Auffray

zatvaranje2-bosifest2021A house take us to a very special place in a quite unusual way, and then focuses on the housemates - it allows us to meet individual characters as they go about their daily routine. Over time, their difficult-to-understand gestures become familiar and close to us. Directing decisions are simple, as well as the camera style, but what gives us assurance is the clarity of approach and the narrative structure. The second act formally introduces new elements that make the storyline more complex - records from another time appear, but the author at this stage allows us to form the meaning and connections ourselves. The third act is showing us another perspective: now we learn about protagonists and their autism from members of their family and their stories. All these different layers are managing, through an extraordinary endevour, to build a very complex and emotional insight into the lives of autistic people. Therefore, a House confirms its unique place in today's world, through which the author is leading us in an unobtrusive, creative and thoughtful way.

The award for the best director went to the film " VICTOR" by the Belgian director Christophe Hermans

victorThe film follows a rebellious teenager on his journey to adulthood by becoming independent through an identifiable coming-of-age film format. Still, what makes this story quite specific is the fact that the protagonist is visually impaired and on the verge of blindness. At first glance, Victor gives the impression of an ordinary young man, and even his rebellion seems natural to his age and environment dynamics. But a careful observation reveals many layers of this human drama, in which the heroes keep their emotions tucked away, because that is the way they fight and express their love. The director patiently follows all phases and steps of life that many would overlook as insufficiently attractive, but it is precisely these nuances and specific tiny differences in Victor's life that gradually build a deep lack of a sense of belonging, despite of all the personal efforts. In an equally subtle way, director builds the character of Victor's mother. While under his watchful eye, without any interference, her firm appearance dissipates revealing the profound maternal anxiety and care. The ending of the film creates a universal image of a man doomed to constant struggle and wandering in the labyrinth of an uncertain future.

The award for the best-case scenario went to the Iranian film "INVISIBLE LINES" by Mehdi Rakhshanija.

nevidljive-linije(1)There are no boundaries in art. Invisible lines is a precisely guided portrait of an extraordinary artist born with a physical disability, who dedicated his life to his vocation - painting. Born in a small Iranian village, his talent manages to overcome the fate of physical restraint and take him far beyond the customary and artistic practices of his country, all the way to Scotland - where he developed his skills. This film speaks of perseverance, creative process, the importance of support, the artist's strong connection to his background, constant learning and imparting the knowledge - but, above all, of the beauty of artistic expression and the power of creative impulse that exceeds all the limitations.

Special mention went to the Italian film "CRAZY WHEELS / MEGLIO UN GIORNO" directed by Elena Rebeca Carini, Ilaria Giangrande

ludi-tockovi(1)This is a film that surprises and breaks the rules, just like its protagonist - a young man from Italy named Mimi who suffers from a severe degenerative disease. From the borderline situation of an incredibly fragile body, his superiority is clearly demonstrated by the fantastic energy of his bohemian spirit, combined with the will to live! You will not come accross a gentle compassion in this film, and it may even seem that the author lacks feelings for the protagonist. But, that is exactly where his courage and sincerity can be seen - the film follows its hero every step of the way, because just like Mimi, challenges need to be faced head-on and without fear! To the very end, this becomes a special and rounded portrait of a very unusual man and an ode to his love of life, despite the incredibly difficult circumstances and all the challenges.

The awards, at the closing of the Festival on October 20, at the Yugoslav Film Archive Museum, were given by jury members Ivan Ikic and Stefan Ivancic.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, authors of the awared films have addressed the audience via video links.

Awards were received by:

On behalf of the director Mehdi Rakhshanija, the best-case scenario award for the Iranian film INVISIBLE LINES, was received by the director of Iranian Cultural Center in Belgrade, Mr. Mohamad Tagi Bahtijari.

zatvaranje3-bosifest2021

Grand Prix for the best film awarded to the film "A HOUSE/UNE MAISON" by the French director Judith Auffray, the best director award for the Belgian film “Victor” by the director Christophe Hermans and the special mention for the film "CRAZY WHEELS/MEGLIO UN GIORNO" directed by Elena Rebeca Carini and Ilaria Giangrande will be delivered to their authors.

Bosifest's Director, Darko Ivić, expressed his satisfaction over a successfully held festival, despite all the challenges due to Covid-19. He thanked all the participants responsible for the realization of the Festival.

With the award ceremony, the 12th Belgrade International Film Festival of people with disabilities came to an end

20. October 2021.

The Grand Prix of the 12th Bosifest went to the documentary film "A HOUSE / UNE MAISON" by the French director Judith Auffray

A house take us to a very special place in a quite unusual way, and then focuses on the housemates - it allows us to meet individual characters as they go about their daily routine.

 

The 12th Belgrade International Film Festival of Persons with Disabilities BOSIFEST 2021 was officially opened last night at the Yugoslav Film Archive

18. October 2021.

The Festival's director - Darko Ivić, this year's Selector of the festival Miroljub Stojanovic, Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Labor, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs and the Commissioner for Protection of Equality Mrs. Brankica Jankovic addressed the audience.

Feeling through

27. July 2021.

Director: Doug Roland
Country: USA
Duration: 18:17

Feeling Through, the first film to star a DeafBlind actor, is a coming of age story that follows Tereek, a teen wandering the streets of New York, desperate for a place to crash when he encounters Artie, a DeafBlind man in need of help getting home.

Une Maison/House

27. July 2021.

Director: Judith Auffray
Country: France
Duration: 82:00

Seven young autistic adults in a house Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort, in the southern Cévennes in France.

Alice from wonderland

27. July 2021.

Director: Elena Demidova
Country: Russian Federation
Duration: 31:39

Masha is sick with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). She can’t move and talk, only her fingers move a little and make it possible to control a computer mouse and then everything will be even worse.

GOSIA@TOMEK

27. July 2021.

Director: Christine Jezior
Country: Germany
Duration: 90:00

What happens to a relationship if a partner suddenly becomes severely disabled after an accident? For Gosia it is clear that she will stand by her boyfriend Tomek no matter what in order to let him live as normal and fulfilled a live as possible.

Crazy Wheels

27. July 2021.

Director: Elena Rebeca Carini, Ilaria Giangrande
Country: Italy
Duration: 42:19

“What do you want from life?”

“Everything”

“What can you do?”

“Anything”

Victor

27. July 2021.

Director: Christophe Hermans
Country: Belgium
Duration: 94:00

Victor is 17. He is gradually losing his eyesight. That is irrevocable. Refusing his handicap, Victor fights to live like an average teenager and becoming an adult just like the others. Today Victor is ready to take off to go to University and study Law.

My way

27. July 2021.

Director: Jasmina Pašalić
Country: BIH
Duration: 05:06

The film shows a girl with cerebral palsy and her everyday life. The film strives to make the viewer aware that anything is possible when you believe and when you have the support of the community.

Invisible Lines

27. July 2021.

Director: Mehdi Rakhshani
Country: Iran
Duration: 49:03

In a village in Iran, a boy is born with severe physical disabilities. His parents, believing him to be stillborn, plan to bury him. Suddenly the boy begins moving with his arms and legs and returns to life.

Sign At All Times

27. July 2021.

Director: Andrew Leibman
Country: SAD
Duration: 08:00

Sign At All Times tells the story of how 18-year-old Brian Estrada overcame his personal adversity and found pride in his identity.

Upside

27. July 2021.

Director: Jim McMorrow
Country: Ireland
Duration: 17:00

Based on a true story. Stephen, a young man with Down’s Syndrome wishes to break free from his caring but over-protective mother and celebrate his 18th birthday in the way that he chooses.

Positive All the Way

27. July 2021.

Directors: David Ulich, Steven Ungerleider
Country: USA
Duration: 26:49

When faced with tremendous obstacles, Sir Philip Craven holds true to his principles. This film explores how the former president of the International Paralympic Committee used these principles as a compass to guide the world’s largest adaptive sports organization to become a global leader for social change.

Word of selector

12. July 2021.

This year's extraordinarily profiled and expertly designed Festival, will be certainly remembered for several precious film gems, as well as a particular film aesthetic, entirely subservient to the movement of modern film expression. From the very first moment, high production standards made this year's festival quite equable.

MIROLJUB STOJANOVIĆ - selector of the twelfth Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities

21. June 2021.

Born on March 2, 1958. Studies of world literature at the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade.

He is engaged in film criticism, essays and research. He has published his works in more than 40 magazines, daily newspapers and periodicals.

STEFAN IVANČIĆ - jury member of the twelfth Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities

21. June 2021.

Stefan Ivančić is a film director, producer and selector. He completed his undergraduate and master studies in Film Directing at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, where he currently works as an assistant professor.

IVAN IKIĆ - jury member of the twelfth Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities

21. June 2021.

Ivan Ikić is the director of the award-winning films Oasis (2020) and Barbarians (2014).

He was born in Belgrade in 1982. He graduated in film directing at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade.

SONJA (BLAGOJEVIĆ) ĐEKIĆ - jury member of the twelfth Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities

21. June 2021.

Born in 1980 in Belgrade, where she still lives today. She graduated from the VI Belgrade Gymnasium, during which she also attended the Kvadrat School of Film Directing, and then studied film and TV directing at the Faculty of dramatic arts.

With the award ceremony, the 11th Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities – BOSIFEST, was officially closed

22. October 2020.

The 11th BOSIFEST’s Grand Prix went to the Czech film "Two roads", directed by Radovan Sibrt.

In this year's selection of films, this achievement stands out not only for its quality but also for its emotions and optimism in the story of the Tap Tap band, whose members overcome their disability with music, pointing out that it is always possible to find true meaning in life.

The 11th Belgrade International Film Festival for and by people with disabilities - Bosifest is officially opened

20. October 2020.

Last night, at the Yugoslav Film Archive, the 11th BOSIFEST was officially opened.

The audience was addressed by the Festival’s Director - Darko Ivić, Marjan Vujović – manager of the Archive’s Museum and Festival’s Selector – Igor Toholj.

Peter Plan

15. October 2020.

Director: Jean Castejon
Country: Spain
Runtime: 73:13

Several years have passed since Peter decided to go and live in Plan, an isolated village in the Aragonese Pyrenees. Far away from the advantages a city offers a blind person, he survives through his art, rock music.

Against the Stream

15. October 2020.

Director: Grigory Kurdyaev
Country: Russia
Runtime: 57:30

A few weeks from the life of a young Paralympic Andrei Filippov (19 years old), a master of sports in swimming of the blind. Having met with Andrei in his small homeland, we will go along with him a short but important way – from home training in Volgograd to playing in Moscow at the Russian Cup.

Once upon a boy

15. October 2020.

Director: Uri Levi
Country: Israel
Runtime: 65:30

Ron is intelligent, charming and full of life, but every day, his movements are increasingly limited by cerebral palsy. This, while he watches his twin run and play soccer with their brother.

Two roads

15. October 2020.

Director: Radovan Sibrt
Country: Czech Republic
Runtime: 79:05

What would you do with your life in a limited body and with limited time?

Maricarmen

15. October 2020.

Director: Sergio Morkin
Country: Mexico
Runtime: 78:33

Maricarmen Graue (52) is a cello player; she plays with a rock band, as well as in a chamber orchestra. She is also a music teacher, a writer, and a marathon runner. She lives alone and is completely blind.

I am

15. October 2020.

Director: Grzegorz Paprzycki
Country: Poland
Runtime: 23:09

A couple goes on a journey across the French Alps. Apart from beautiful landscapes, they share views on topics related to faith and the creation of the world.

I see in the dark

15. October 2020.

Director: Lana Bregar
Country: Slovenia
Runtime: 16:30

The short documentary shows three individuals, who have lost their sight. Their intimate narrative takes the viewer on a journey to their world and feelings about the loss of vision.

Out of spite

15. October 2020.

Director: Gojko Berkuljan
Country: Montenegro
Runtime: 10:50

„Out of spite“ is a movie about Anđela Radovanović, Russian language and literature teacher, poetess, showing the world of emotions between Siberia and Latin America through her poems.

I am

15. October 2020.

Director: Martina Biagi
Country: Italy
Runtime: 52:06

I am is a journey amid families with children suffering from rare genetic conditions and doctors who take care of them.

ERIK

15. October 2020.

Director: Danilo - Lola Ilić
Country: Croatia
Runtime: 77:00

Erik is a 36-year-old young man with cerebral palsy. Although a person with disabilities and various problems he is never at peace, he always wants to do something new. He is a composer, author, singer, keyboard player, songwriter ....