(SIGNIS / INTERFILM). Coast, directed by Jessica Hester and Derek Schweickart (USA), won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at the 62nd Zlín Film Festival in the Czech Republic. The film was screened in the International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category.
The Jury chose the feature film “for its unpretentious way of telling a simple coming of age story of the 16 years old Abby, growing up in a small Californian rural community with a large immigrant population. A place that a rebel such as Abby has to make out in order to find herself by leaving behind her roots, mother’s footsteps, family and friends issues, or even boredom. But sometimes, dreams are just not big enough to leave home. A beautiful story about the brother of the prodigal son that never left town, but still made important life path choices by staying”.
In the International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category, the Jury awarded a special Commendation to Bigman, directed by Camiel Schouwenaar (Netherlands, Germany), “for the inspirational drive of the 13-year-old protagonist Dylan to overcome sufferance and vulnerability after an accident and pursue happiness and fulfil his passion by any means and sacrifices. For depicting so nicely children’s friendship, solidarity and wisdom above adults parenting shortcomings”.
The members of the Ecumenical Jury were Adriana Răcășan (Romania), Barbora Cihelkova (Czech Republic), and Kathrin Rudolph (Germany).
The 62nd Zlín Film Festival took place from May 24 to June 1, 2022. Each year, this International Film Festival for Children and Youth presents around 300 films from more than 50 countries worldwide. Since 2000, an Ecumenical Jury has awarded prizes to films in the international competitions of the festival. Currently, there are competitions for feature and animated films in the age groups for children, juniors and youth.