San Sebastian Industry Awards: ’The Two Landscapes,’ ‘A Loose End,’ ‘Blue Marks’ Win Big

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of global cinema, I find myself constantly amazed and inspired by the diverse stories and talents that emerge from various corners of the world. The San Sebastián Festival’s Industry Awards ceremony this year has once again proven to be a testament to this richness, with films from Argentina, Uruguay, Germany, Spain, Chile, Colombia, and more taking home prestigious accolades.


At the San Sebastián Festival’s Industry Awards event held on Wednesday, Argentine Francisco Lezama’s “The Two Landscapes,” Uruguayan Daniel Handler’s “A Loose End” and “Blue Marks” directed by German Sara Miro Fischer were honored. These works triumphed in the festival’s main competitions, as well as the Europe-Latin America Co-Production Forum, and two post-production strands named WIP Latam and WIP Europa.

Greetings Bastiano! The best project award at the esteemed San Sebastián development program, known as the Ikusmira Berriak Award, was won by Maria Elorza from Spain.

This year, Lezama has won twice at The Forum, making it his second award of the year. His latest win was for “Un movimiento extraño,” which previously earned him the Best Short Film Berlin Golden Bear in 2024.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that a poignant comedy, produced by Argentina’s Pionera Cine and spearheaded by creators Lezama and Ignacio Ceroi, is in the works. This heartfelt tale delves into the complexities of religious and familial strife, as Lezama describes it. The narrative unfolds amidst an institutional crisis within the Catholic Church, triggered by Catholics transitioning to Evangelism.

At the same Forum competition, Mariana Saffon’s film “Mar de Leva” won the ArteKino International Award, which is sponsored by the French-German public broadcaster Arte. In this movie, Elena is shown preparing for her father’s upcoming death and confronting a desire she never anticipated: the longing to become a mother. This project represents Saffon’s feature film debut; her short film “Between You and Milagros” was awarded best short film at the 2020 Venice Horizons. Franco Lolli, known for directing “Gente de bien” and “Litigante,” as well as Capucine Mahé from Colombia’s Evidencia Films, serve as the main producers of the film.

It’s an honor and a thrilling task to collaborate with Mariana Saffon on her first full-length film. Her short film ‘Between you and Milagros’ demonstrated a distinct sensibility, a firm dedication, and a highly personal perspective, which Lolli shared with EbMaster.

In a twist of events, Hendler – an actor who previously won the Berlin Silver Bear and is now directing for the third time – has crafted a film titled “A Loose End”. This movie garnered the Industry Award at WIP Latam. The plot revolves around Santiago, a low-ranking police officer, fleeing from the Argentine police force. With minimal funds but a sharp mind and his worn-out uniform as tools, he navigates challenges in Fray Bentos, a small town situated near the Uruguay border with Argentina. He manages to gain assistance from local residents, all while attempting to erase his past and seeking the possibility of finding true love.

Celestial Body,” the second film by Chilean director Nayra Ilic, won the Egeda Platino Industria Award. This movie chronicles the life’s voyage of Celeste, a teenager who must confront her father’s death while her mother grapples with a personal predicament. Ilic’s first feature, “Square Meter,” was screened in competition at the Palm Springs Festival back in 2011.

The poignant feminist drama “Blue Marks,” jointly created by Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin, Arkanum Pictures, and RBB, revolves around siblings Rose and Sam. Once it’s unveiled that the rape accusations against Sam are valid, Rose grapples with her brother’s guilt. Miro Fischer and Agnes Maagaard Petersen crafted the screenplay for this film.

“Dear Bastiano” is a two-part story that explores the idea of memory as creation. While some parts are based on real events, others push the boundaries of non-fiction. This unique blend revolves around a significant love letter sent during World War II by a member of the Elorza family who holds political and historical significance. Notably, this is the latest work from Elorza, a renowned figure in the San Sebastian film industry, whose previous creation, “To Books and Women I Sing,” was featured in a Special Screening at the 2022 San Sebastian Festival.

SAN SEBASTIAN INDUSTRY AWARDS 2024 

13th EUROPE-LATIN AMERICA CO-PRODUCTION FORUM AWARDS 

Best Project Award

“The Two Landscapes,” (Francisco Lezama, Argentina, Brazil)

Dale! Development Award

“The Two Landscapes,” (Francisco Lezama, Argentina, Brazil)

Artekino International Prize

“Mar de Leva,” (Mariana Saffon, Colombia, France)

WIP LATAM 

WIP Latam Industry Award

“A Loose End,” (Daniel Hendler, Uruguay, Argentina) 

Egeda Platino Industria Award

“Cuerpo celeste,” (Nayra Ilic, Chile, Italy)

WIP EUROPA 

WIP Europa Industry Award

“Blue Marks (WT),” (Sarah Miro Fischer, Germany) 

WIP Europa Award

“Blue Marks (WT),” (Sarah Miro Fischer, Germany)

IKUSMIRA BERRIAK AWARD

Sideral Award

“Dear Bastiano,” (Maria Elorza, Spain)

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2024-09-26 00:48