The winner of the 15th Ostrava Kamera Oko festival is the Canadian film Mademoiselle Kenopsia

The winner of the 15th edition of the Ostrava Kamera Oko International Film Festival is now revealed. The main prize was awarded to the Canadian film by cinematographer Vincent Biron Mademoiselle Kenopsia. The jury awarded a Special Prize to cinematographer Victoria Pereda for her film Human Surge 3. The film Trip by cinematographer Jan Vališ won the Short Film Competition, and the jury gave a Special Mention to the film Impulsum by cinematographer Filip Hájek. The festival took place from 15th to 19th November in Ostrava, and almost 2000 spectators attended its programme.

The international jury of three, composed of Asmi Chandola, Geng Tengtian, and Jan Skriečka, awarded the film Mademoiselle Kenopsia (directed by Denis Côté, cinematography by Vincent Biron, 2023) for “creating an eerie atmosphere through music, humor, and haunting images, moreover, for its portrayal of strong emotions through monologues as well as silence.”

The jury awarded a Special Prize to Human Surge 3 (El auge del humano 3, directed by Eduardo Williams, cinematography by Victoria Pereda, 2023).

“We appreciated the style and accessibility of the camera, which was not only inspiring but also showed the diverse possibilities of film language. The style successfully carries the carefully structured long shot and poetic subject matter, which is a charming approach. It shows how modern camera technology can support a new perspective on storytelling,” comments Geng Tengtian, one of the jury members, on the decision.

The award for best short film went this year to Trip by cinematographer Jan Vališ. According to the jury consisting of Lucie Zavarčíková, Jacek Petrycki, and Pavel Berkovič, it successfully evoked emotions in the audience through its cinematographic work. In the jury’s words, Filip Hajek‘s Impulsum was given a Special Mention for its almost perfect visuals.

Over five days, more than 1961 people attended the 15th anniversary edition of Ostrava Kamera Oko. Its programme offered thirty short and feature films from the Czech Republic and abroad, debates, a discussion panel, film lessons, exhibitions, performances, and two audiovisual nights.

OKO is financially supported by the State Cinematography Fund, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the Statutory City of Ostrava, and the Moravian-Silesian Region.