Despite poor weather conditions in the last two festival days, the 22nd Motovun Film Festival ended Sunday morning with lots of music and joy. Heavy rain interrupted the last day’s program, but the festival crew made a lot of effort to organize a number of screenings (they were moved to indoor theaters). The closing ceremony took place somewhat later, at midnight. Numerous audience remained there nevertheless and, with cups of Polish vodka, they made a toast to the festival and to the award-winning filmmakers.

The jury (Croatian director Hana Jušić, Serbian director Ognjen Glavonić and Polish film critic and producer Michał Chaciński) gave the Propeller of Motovun to the Icelandic film A White, White Day by Hlynur Pálmason. “The jury unanimously gave the award to a film which, using genre elements, tackles the emotional and psychological burden of bereavement in an idiosyncratic style. This bitter-sweet portrait of a peevish and melancholic policeman left as deep impression on us,” explained the Jury.

The FIPRESCI award, given by the International Film Critics Association, went to the Macedonian film God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya, directed by Teona Strugar Mitevska. “The leading actress captivated us with her excellent and expressive acting. She easily convinced us that the film’s protagonist is an intelligent woman with a complex personality, who discovers her power as the film progresses. She symbolized the urge for freedom in many domains and she indicated the changes that should be made. Excellently directed and edited, this dynamic black comedy soon drags the audience into its world,” explained the FIPRESCI Jury.

During five days in Motovun there were 136 screenings, accompanied by concerts, performances, conversations with authors and educational and entertainment programs. After the closing ceremony, Jeboton Ansambl band had a concert in the Municipal Loggia and then the indestructible numerous MFF fans danced the night away to the early hours.