Brussels, 2 May 2023 (SIGNIS Europe). The prize for Best European Film of the Year 2022 is awarded by SIGNIS Europe to The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin) by Colm Bairéad.
Since 2008 the European Delegations of SIGNIS (World Catholic Association for Communication) have been awarding the best film produced by professionals based in Europe.
For 2022 and after a two-round voting process, the Irish film The Quiet Girl (An Cailín Ciúin) directed by Colm Bairéad, has won the SIGNIS Europe prize for Best European Film of the Year 2022.
The movie is set in rural Ireland,1981. It tells the story of a quiet, neglected girl who is sent away from her dysfunctional family to live with foster parents for the summer. She blossoms in their care, but in this house where there are meant to be no secrets, she discovers one.
“This is a poetic film about family, grief, and ultimately of love. The pacing, sound, and amazing cinematography capture the essence of the universality of childhood and the difficulties of family life”, says the jury.
The runner up films are:
- Tori and Lokita by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne (Belgium/France, 2022)
- Close by Lukas Dhont (Belgium/Netherlands/France, 2022)
- Le Otto Montagne (The Eight Mountains) by Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch (Italy/Belgium/France/UK, 2022)
SIGNIS Europe has members in 23 countries and is one of six regions of SIGNIS. The purpose of this award is to promote and generate interest in emerging European films for their cinematographic quality and the message of the film. The winning film was selected by SIGNIS Europe’s national members after two rounds of voting.