First European Film Awards 2015

The European Film Academy announced the first winners who will be honoured at this year’s 28th European Film Awards. A special seven-member jury convened in Berlin and decided on the winners in the categories cinematography, editing, production design, costume design, composer and sound design.
    
— The photography in “Goodnight Mommy” is extremely consistent and suggestive. Every frame is created in the atmosphere of the film and strengthens its dramaturgy. These pictures are testimony to the huge visual sensitivity of the cinematographer. They are an excellent example of the use of composition and light and offer a new, very modern understanding of the art of cinematography.
European Cinematographer 2015 – Prix Carlo di Palma:
Martin Gschlacht for “Goodnight Mommy” (Ich Seh Ich Seh), Austria

— The editing of Body/Cialo is an outstanding example of playful precision. Underpinned by shining humour, the montage uses cinematography’s many-faceted imagery to create space for each character, for each character’s dignity, the deceased and the viewer. Jacek Drosio allows us to linger, steps up the beat where needed and shifts perspectives to compose a splendid narration that brings all pain and longing together in a good laugh.
European Editor 2015:
Jacek Drosio for “Body” (Cialo), Poland

— The design follows and supports the drama in a beautiful, funny and artistic way, mixing the real and the surreal with a lot of ironic fantasy:
European Production Designer 2015:
Sylvie Olivé for The Brand New Testament” (Le tout nouveau testament), Belgium/France/Luxembourg

— Using colour and shape in a wonderful way to paint each frame of the film, the costume design helps to realise the director’s vision. Every single item the actors wear has its own recognisable story.
European Costume Designer 2015:
Sarah Blenkinsop for “The Lobster”, UK/Ireland/Greece/France/the Netherlands

— For a very brave and daring approach to film scoring, with all the right elements of musical craftsmanship and visual understanding:
European Composer 2015:
Cat’s Eyes for “The Duke of Burgundy”, UK/Hungary

— The Sound Design for “Arabian Nights” possesses a strong identity, combining documentary and fiction styles. Each sound sequence develops an original point of view closely matching the narration. The result is brilliant poetry, full of life and boldness.
European Sound Designer 2015:
Vasco Pimentel & Miguel Martins for “Arabian Nights” – VOL. I-III (As Mil e uma noites – Vol. I-III), Portugal/Germany/France/Switzerland

The members of the jury were:
Anna Asp, production designer, Sweden    
Daniela Ciancio, costume designer, Italy
Mathieu Cox, sound designer, Belgium    
Uberto Pasolini, director/producer, UK
Adam Sikora, cinematographer, Poland    
Kjartan Sveinsson, composer, Iceland
Monika Willi, editor, Austria    

The nominations in the categories European Film, Comedy, Director, Screenwriter, Actress and Actor will be announced on 7 November at the Seville European Film Festival. The members of the European Film Academy, more than 3,000 European film professionals, will then vote for the winners and all awards recipients will receive their EFA Statuette during the 28th European Film Awards Ceremony. Taking place at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele in Berlin on Saturday, 12 December, the event will be streamed live on www.europeanfilmawards.eu

European Film Academy
Kurfürstendamm 225, 10719 Berlin, Germany
tel. +49 30 887 1670
europeanfilmacademy.org