'Truth or Dare' and 'Hushes and Phonics' win Jury Award at Film O'Clock International Festival
The films 'Truth or Dare,' directed by Simona Borcea, and 'Hushes and Phonics,' directed by Polish filmmaker Piotr Kaminski, won the Ex Aequo Jury Award at the fifth edition of the Film O'Clock International Festival, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.
The Ex Aequo Jury Award went to 'Truth or Dare' for its 'precise performances and well-defined coming-of-age universe,' while 'Hushes and Phonics' was recognised for its 'subtle cinematography and nuanced acting,' according to the jury's motivation.
A Special Honourable Mention from the jury was awarded to 'From You,' directed by Jedrzej Gorski (Poland), for its 'exceptional portrayal of the father-son relationship.'
The Audience Award, based on votes from filmgoers across the 11 participating countries, went to 'A Promise to the Sea,' directed by Hend Sohail (Egypt). The film moved audiences with its deeply human and universal story, capturing hearts through its sensitive and complex approach to themes such as promises and human connection, despite cultural differences.
The short film competition was judged by an esteemed international panel: Romanian director and screenwriter Bogdan Muresanu, Hungarian cinematographer Eszter Csepeli and Egyptian producer Muhammad Taymour.
This year's edition of the Film O'Clock International Festival brought together cinema lovers and film professionals from 11 countries - Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, Serbia, Hungary and Poland - in a celebration of cultural diversity and dialogue through cinema. The festival screened 38 films across 94 screenings, providing a unique platform for connection and reflection on global filmmaking.
Highlights included a masterclass on film education for children, led by Greek experts from Schedia Art, as well as interactive Q&A sessions with competing filmmakers and a vibrant intercultural evening.
Poland played a central role in the programme under the aegis of Solidarity on Screen, an initiative organised in partnership with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, as part of Poland's international cultural activities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
A standout moment from this year's edition was the launch of the Romanian-language podcast 'Celluloid Solidarity,' exploring the global influence of Polish cinema. The podcast addresses solidarity across multiple levels and serves as both an educational and cultural resource for audiences in Romania and the wider region.
Another major draw was the screening of the contemporary documentary 'Solaris Mon Amour,' directed by Kuba Mikurda, a poetic exploration of Stanislaw Lem's masterpiece. Mikurda was the keynote speaker at the conference 'Archives, Cinema and Collective Healing,' which discussed the role of archives in preserving collective memory and the connection between film and healing processes.
Film education also featured prominently, with an online discussion titled 'Poets or Engineers on Filmmaking,' featuring special guest Polish director Rafael Kapelinski, author of a book on the subject, alongside representatives from prestigious Polish film schools.
In the classics section, the festival screened 'Camera Buff,' directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, a landmark of Polish cinema. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Petronius Craiu; EN - writing by: Adina Panaitescu)
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