ASPEN SHORTSFEST 2013 INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AWARDS

Aspen Shortsfest 2013 was held April 9-14, at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen and the Crystal Theatre in Carbondale. More than 2,800 submissions from around the world were considered and 83 short films, representing over thirty countries and exploring more, were ultimately selected for this year's International Competition. From recognizable to emerging talent, the 2013 edition showcased a vibrant array of comedy, drama, animation and documentary film. Over 45 filmmakers from around the world plus other special guests attended.

See below for this year's winners, or download the list of winners HERE.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION JURY AWARDS
*Academy Award® qualifying category

BEST ANIMATION* $2,500
NIGHT OF THE BEAR
(Samuel Guillaume & Frédéric Guillaume, Switzerland)
An astonishing tale of social activism with incredibly rich characters.

BEST COMEDY* $2,500
DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING?
(Selma Vilhunen, Finland)
Warm, human portrait of a family - and fall on the floor funny.

BEST DOCUMENTARY $2,500
GRANDPA AND ME AND A HELICOPTER TO HEAVEN
(Johan Palmgren & Åsa Blanck, Sweden)
Tender, intimate embrace of the natural passage of life.

BEST DRAMA* $2,500
CALCUTTA TAXI
(Vikram Dasgupta, Canada/India)
Unconventional, multilayered storytelling with great emotional impact.

BEST STUDENT FILM $2,000
Sponsored by Film School Shorts
A WORLD FOR RAUL
(Mauro Mueller, Mexico/Switzerland/USA)
A devastating tale of class, power, and the loss of innocence.

BEST SHORT SHORT* $1,000
GIRL WITH CHILD
(Maria Abraham, USA/Ecuador)
A profound look at a deeply troubled mind.

SPECIAL JURY RECOGNITION
CICADA PRINCESS
(Mauricio Baiocchi, USA)
Moving meditation on mortality, with cute bugs.

EDMOND WAS A DONKEY
(Franck Dion, Canada/France)
Haunting, unusual story of transcendence.

IRISH FOLK FURNITURE
(Tony Donoghue, Ireland)
A delightful and original look at - of all things - furniture.

KALI THE LITTLE VAMPIRE
(Regina Pessoa, France/Portugal/Canada/Switzerland)
A poignant examination of the outsider using striking animation.

PIECES
(Xacio Baño, Spain)
Tremendously affecting tale of dementia.

SATURDAY GIRLS
(Emilie Cherpitel, France)
Beautiful story telling with multiple surprises.

AWARDS DETERMINED BY OTHER JURIES

THE ELLEN $1,500
THE MINISTRY OF THE STOVE
(Finn Yarbrough & Katherine Robinson Yarbrough, USA)
We chose this short film for its visual beauty, its serenity, and for its much-needed message. In these times of busy-busyness, of over-commitment, of expending so much energy on our daily concerns, we forget what our mothers knew so well, way back when we were children: almost any problem can be solved with a simple time out. The Quakers got many things right. Even after two centuries, their little church, a warm and crackling stove, and perhaps a number of ghosts, remind us that action is only one side of life. The other side is stillness.

THE ELLEN FILMMAKER TO WATCH $500 each
DUMPY GOES TO THE BIG SMOKE
(Mirrah Foulkes, Australia)
This film never loses its sense of humor, while giving us a strong visual metaphor and leaving us gently inspired. Dumpy, like a lot of women, self-censors her own modest dreams. Like a lot of women, she squelches her passion for learning and keeps herself penned in, tethered to her man and to an unsatisfying life - until one day, when she gets just enough courage to take her big chance. When Dumpy loaded up those cats, we all cheered.

IRISH FOLK FURNITURE
(Tony Donoghue, Ireland)
Watching cabinets and flour bins cavorting through the countryside makes us smile, for sure. But contained within those humble, utilitarian objects are the souls of the people who make and use them. The furniture reflects a culture that values practicality and thrift, a culture that doesn't change just for the sake of change. We believe that this filmmaker does a great job of portraying the heart of his native land.

YOUTH JURY PRIZE $500 shared
MOMMY
(René Frelle Petersen, Denmark)
For making us consider how difficult life decisions can be. We find ourselves trying to balance our needs and wants, and determining what is important for us.

NIGHT SHIFT
(Zia Mandviwalla, New Zealand)
For opening our eyes to an issue that should have been dealt with before the 21st century. There is no excuse for the continuation of poverty and survival should be a guaranteed right.

BAFTA Los Angeles SHORT FILM PRIZE
WHIPLASH
(Damien Chazelle, USA)

BAFTA Los Angeles CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
BEST IF USED BY
(Aemilia Scott, USA)

BAFTA Los Angeles CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE
GREAT
(Andreas Henn, Germany)

AUDIENCE AWARD $500
SATURDAY GIRLS
(Emilie Cherpitel, France)

AUDIENCE RECOGNITION
DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING?
(Selma Vilhunen, Finland)

THE GUIDE
(Jessica Yu, USA/Mozambique)

OPEN HEART
(Kief Davidson, USA)

WALKING THE DOGS
(Jeremy Brock, UK)

ABOUT THE JURIES

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION JURY
The 2013 International Competition jury was composed of writers Dana Barrata, Diane Frolov, Lisa Kennedy and Andrew Schneider who determined awards recognizing creative excellence and honoring films they found to be the most accomplished in storytelling and distinctive in cinematic voice.

THE ELLEN AWARD
Established to honor Aspen Film Founder, Ellen Hunt, this 16th annual award recognizes originality in film.

YOUTH JURY PRIZE
For the 15th year, local high school students honor a film that opens a window on their understanding of the world in important, unexpected ways.

BAFTA LA SHORT FILM PRIZE
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Los Angeles is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to support, develop and promote the art form of the moving image. As the only Anglo-American professional organization founded to promote and advance excellence in film, television and games, BAFTA Los Angeles serves as the bridge between the Hollywood and British entertainment communities, and is a vital link to BAFTA in London. This is the 9th year BAFTA LA has honored Shortsfest films that deliver as many of the requirements as possible - look, narrative, overall dynamic and emotional punch - and do it with an originality of vision.