Nahom Abraham from Eritrea won the top prize for best film and $5 at the Berlin Film Festival 25 He won a NEFTI award for his film Home, a drama about a couple yearning to be together.
Mihk Vergara and Miko Livelo from the Philippines won the NEFTI Audience Choice Award, along with a $2, prize You Are Gathered Here Today , tells the story of a man who returns to his hometown in the Philippines to bury his father and reunite with his best friend.
The third finalist was Zoulikha Tahar from Algeria for her film Leila’s Fun Night about a girl who birthday, finally stepped forward and took his life into his own hands.
Judging panel, including actress Vivica A. Fox, Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen (American Beauty) and President of Fox/Disney, Post-production Ted Gagliano, along with last year’s competition winner Minenhle Luthuli, selected the NEFTI winners and selected three finalists.
NEFTI Awards are sponsored by NEFT Vodka Austria and supported by Berlinale European Film Market , Durban Film Market and International Emerging Film Talent Association (IEFTA), which celebrates and challenges filmmakers from emerging extend their influence into areas they may not have access to. While the shorts don’t have to be about NEFT, they must all include the vodka brand in a way other than product placement. The only other criteria was that all films had to be non-violent and non-political.
Next NEFTI contest, NEFTI Africa, only for those residing on the African continent or African territories open to applicants. Applications will open on May 1. A NEFTI All-Star Competition is also planned, and the winners of all NEFTI events will create new films to compete for the NEFTI All-Star Award.
25
