(SIGNIS). A SIGNIS Jury took part in the Festival Cinélatino, 34es Rencontres de Toulouse from March 25th until April 2nd. The Jury awarded two films in the documentary competition.
The long-form documentary Del Otro Lado (Columbia, 2021), directed by Ivan Guarnizo, won the first Prize of the SIGNIS Jury.
“This film is one of those that catches you with a well-constructed story, with an investigation that required a lot of work and patience, and with a deep and emotional message”, said the Jury. They added: “History does not take refuge in the past to feed the thirst for revenge. On the contrary, the past helps to understand and learn to forgive and love. This is a story about reconciliation, forgiveness, empathy and grace”.
The Jury also awarded the short-form documentary Deus Me Livre (Brazil, 2021) directed by Carlos Henrique de Oliveira and Luis Ansorena Herves.
This documentary explores how a cemetery employee who was also a pastor shares the meaning of his call to bury the dead and help others. For the Jury, his message to all of us is that God is with us. Essentially, we are all the same, and our time here on earth is limited. There is no time to lose, and we must seek to do good with everyone we encounter.
The members of the SIGNIS Jury were Néstor Marino Briceno (Venezuela), Monique Beguin (France), and Douglas Fahleson (Ireland).