The 5th edition of the Taoba International Youth Film Festival has come to a close, and we are thrilled to announce the winners of the festival’s competition. The festival brought together young film enthusiasts and professionals from Georgia, Armenia, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Finland, Estonia, and France, and featured a diverse selection of films that showcased a wide range of perspectives and stories.
The young participants of the festival were responsible for selecting the winners of the competition, and they have spoken! The winner of the best feature film in competition was “Goodbye, Soviet Union” by Lauri Randla (Estonia, Finland). This moving and thought-provoking film explores the themes of identity and belonging through the eyes of a young Estonian boy living in the Soviet Union in the 1980s.
The winner of the best short film in competition was “The Watchers” by Sandro Souladze from Georgia. This intriguing and suspenseful film tells the story of Two little brothers (8 and 14 years old) who have to stay alone in their remote hut, to protect it from an obscure threat, while also dealing with their own fears and fantasy.
Both directors, Lauri Randla and Sandro Souladze received young audience awards, which serves as a testament to the connection and resonance the films had with the young people who attended the festival.
We would like to congratulate both Lauri Randla and Sandro Souladze on their well-deserved wins and thank all of the young participants for their thoughtful and engaged participation in the festival. We also would like to thank all the directors, producers, and other film professionals who participated in the festival and shared their films and knowledge with our young audience.
The Taoba International Youth Film Festival is an important platform for young people to engage with films, learn about the film-making process, and be exposed to new ideas and perspectives. We are committed to providing a meaningful and engaging experience for our young audience and we look forward to continuing to support young people’s academic, cultural, and social development through films.
Stay tuned for more information about the next edition of the festival!
