‘Green Border’ bags Rotterdam Audience Award

The 2023 internationally co-produced drama film ‘Green Border,’ directed by Agnieszka Holland, has won the Audience Award at this year’s Rotterdam Film Festival.

The movie is written by Agnieszka Holland, Gabriela Łazarkiewicz-Sieczko, and Maciej Pisuk. It has an ensemble cast that includes Jalal Altawil, Maja Ostaszewska, Behi Djanati Atai, Tomasz Włosok, Mohamad Al Rashi, Dalia Naous, Maciej Stuhr, and Agata Kulesza. It highlights the situation of migrants stuck in the Belarus-EU border crisis. The film competed for the Golden Lion at the 80th Venice International Film Festival and earned the Special Jury Prize.

Japanese director Tanaka Toshihiko bagged Rotterdam’s coveted Tiger Award for best competition film for his 3-hour, 9-minute debut, ‘Rei.’ The drama is about human relationships that were mostly formed with a cast and crew of nonprofessionals and students.

The Iranian drama ‘The Old Bachelor’ by director Oktay Baraheni bagged Rotterdam’s VPRO Big Screen Award.

The FIPRESCI Award was given to ‘Kiss Wagon’ by Indian director Midhun Murali by international film critics.

Rotterdam Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic said,

“This edition we saw with great pleasure how our discoveries found their audiences. From the joy of our opening night to the excitement of welcoming superstars and cinematic giants, to witnessing the blossoming of future greats like the Tiger Award winner, there was a special atmosphere at the festival this edition. We take pride in making a program that foregrounds the unexpected and unique — and that challenges and enriches…. As we look ahead, we see that our ideas and aspirations connect strongly with the audience, strengthening us for the years to come.”

Rotterdam 2024 was an enormous hit, with over a quarter of a million viewers over its 11-day program, which included the screening of 424 films and artist discussions with Oscar contender Sandra Hüller, Italian directing veteran Marco Bellocchio, and pop music legend Debbie Harry.