In the framework of the digital award ceremony "The EFAs at Eight" on Thursday evening, the film SAUDI RUNAWAY (Switzerland 2020) was awarded the European University Film Award (EUFA), which is organised by Filmfest Hamburg and the European Film Academy. The European University Film Award ceremony came at the end of a three-day conference attended by students from 25 European universities voting on the nominated films.
SAUDI RUNAWAY centres on the story of Muna, a young woman about to enter into an arranged marriage who secretly starts filming herself and the events around her with her smartphone. Director Susanne Regina Meures carefully assembles these scenes into an oppressive interior view of a patriarchal system.
Jury statement: "Through Muna's eyes, SAUDI RUNAWAY's 'vlogumentary' style offers an intimate and engaged portrayal of life as a young woman in Saudi Arabia and the multitude of opposites that affect it: modernity and tradition, family love and trauma, duty and the right to choose. Susanne Regina Meures captivates us through the creative treatment of a medium we all possess, revealing its potential for a widespread empowerment. By breaking cinematic conventions and evading the clichés of the western gaze, Muna's secretive cinematography oscillates the audience between witness and eavesdropper. Uncertainty and tension are palpable throughout, but linger long-after: Muna is merely one of many."
Albert Wiederspiel, Festival Director of FILMFEST HAMBURG: "The European University Film Award focuses on the exchange between young film enthusiasts. By selecting SAUDI RUNAWAY, the jurors have chosen a film that looks beyond the borders of Europe. It shows that European films do not only have to deal with the situation in Europe."
Twenty-five universities from 25 European countries are involved in the European University Film Award, each sending a delegate to the conference, where the nominated films are being discussed and the winner is voted on. The previous winners of the European University Film Awards are: 2019: PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE (D: Céline Sciamma); 2018: HAPPY AS LAZZARO (D: Alice Rohrwacher); 2017: HEARTSTONE (D: Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson); 2016: I, DANIEL BLAKE (D: Ken Loach).
The European University Film Award is organized by FILMFEST HAMBURG and the European Film Academy in close cooperation with the NECS European Network for Cinema and Media Studies and funded by the Minister of State for Culture and the Media on the occasion of Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2020. Media Partner is Cineuropa.
- hosted by Wendy WoodhallLos Angeles Post Production Group will be hosting colorist and founder of LightBender, Juan Cabrera, CSI for a discussion of the color grading and finishing workflow he creatively used on the second season of TNT’s The Alienist: Angel of Darkness. This FREE event will be held online via Zoom at 5:00...
- hosted by Maura BarbulescuWinter is by far the favorite season for many because of the delights that it has to offer. With this occasion, Student Filmmakers challenges you to showcase how winter looks in your part of the world! Even though you live in a place with piles of snow or piles of sand, we are excited to see it thro...
- hosted by Corbin PetersEver have a call with a client looking for a quote for animation but not sure what it will cost or who you should talk to? We definitely have, and this is why we brought on experienced animators to talk about their craft and the best way to include animation in your projects. On 2/24/21, we’ll go ov...
- hosted by Anthony StraegerThis horror festival is about supporting love & support grass-roots independent horror film making and its filmmakers. Join us & get your fill of fear here. There is a free to watch preview session: https://xerb.tv/channel/hauntedhousefearfest/virtual-events/1731 And you can purchase sessions ...
- hosted by Dallas VideoFestone on or off Facebook Unemployed Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani) is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. His wife, Maria (Lianella Carell), sells the family's bed linens to retrieve Antonio's bicycle from the pawnshop so he can take the job. However, disaster...
Subin Karkani is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Trevor Madsen is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Ray Christensen is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Job Michiel van Zuijlen is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Steve Hermann is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Alishia Lester is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Nadia Cripps is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Jayson Simba is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Dr Robert E Smith is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Giovanni Sciacco is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
DAME LILLIAN WALKER is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Vinnie Horst is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Dawn Avalon is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Don Ferrone is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Maura Barbulescu is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Art Peterson is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Paul Bruce is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Chase Shumway is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Chris Rinaman is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Al Carretta is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
James Alexandropoulos is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Dallas VideoFest is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Toby DeGard is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
Tim Harrison is now friends with Jendrik Walendy.
