We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2nd Return International Film & Art Festival 2022. The festival celebrated exceptional talent across various categories, and we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable contributions to the world of film and art.
Best Documentary: "It is still autumn" by Farzaneh Fathi
"It is still autumn" captures the harrowing and resilient journey of a young Iranian woman. Abandoned by her father at a young age and subjected to years of abuse by her uncle, she ultimately resorts to prostitution to escape to Sweden. The film portrays her quest to find her estranged father and rebuild her life. The protagonist’s voice is emotional and raw, narrating her story against evocative, associative imagery that contextualizes her personal trauma within the broader landscape of contemporary Iran. The documentary’s poignant storytelling and refusal to show the protagonist visually to avoid voyeurism have earned it the Best Documentary award.
Best Animation: "Darwin's Notebook" by Georges Schwizgebels
"Darwin's Notebook" tells the true story of three indigenous individuals from Tierra del Fuego who were abducted to Europe in the 19th century, subjected to missionary work, and then returned to their homeland. The film highlights the devastating effects of their encounter with the European world, leaving lasting invisible scars. Through masterful transitions of hand-made images, Georges Schwizgebel's animation transcends temporal, geographical, and cultural boundaries, vividly illustrating the impacts of colonization. The wordless yet powerful narrative has secured its place as the Best Animation of the festival.
Best Short Feature Film: "Bloody Gravel" by Hojat Hosseini
"Bloody Gravel" unfolds an existential drama of flight, birth, and death in a desolate desert landscape between Afghanistan and the Iranian border. The film captivates with its authentic presentation, powerful intensity, and convincing dramaturgy. It intricately weaves themes of flight and migration with questions of moral responsibility, making it a unanimous favorite among the jury for the Best Short Feature Film category. Hojat Hosseini’s work stands out for its profound exploration of cultural codes and human resilience.
Jury Award - Best Film: "Where the Winds Die" by Pejman Alipour
"Where the Winds Die" presents a poignant reflection of Kurdish townspeople’s lives in Sardahst, Iran, interrupted by an Iraqi mustard gas attack in 1987. The film’s watercolour-like animation and minimalist approach vividly convey the horror without resorting to crude or exploitative imagery. Through the reflection in a stream, the film juxtaposes festivities and normalcy with sudden devastation. Pejman Alipour’s artistic bravura seamlessly blends animation, game, and real film to recreate a tragic chapter of Iranian-Kurdish history, earning the Jury Award for Best Film.
We commend all the filmmakers for their outstanding work and contribution to the cinematic arts. Their films have not only entertained but also deeply moved and inspired us, shedding light on important stories and experiences from around the world.