THE MERRY-GO-ROUND by Augusto Schillaci (Argentina)

A CAT’S LIFE (VITA DA GATTO) by Guillaume Maidatchevsky (France)

THE GHASTLY GHOUL by Kealan O’Rourke, Maurizio Parimbelli (Ireland)

TONY, SHELLY AND THE MAGIC LIGHT by Filip Pošivač (Czech Republic/Slovakia/Hungary)

Reasons:

Once again this year, Clear Channel decided to award a bicycle, the symbol of a green lifestyle, of shared living, of closeness between people. To us, the bicycle has always been a linking element between ancient and modern values, which are perfectly expressed in the poster of this edition dedicated to the "Indispensables," to our senses. On the occasion of the 53rd edition of the Giffoni Film Festival, Clear Channel Italia presents the award "Innovation and Sustainability" to FILIP POSIVAC, who in the making of his touching film "TONY, SHELLY AND THE MAGIC LIGHT" reached very rare heights of tenderness and depth, which we always feel the need for, every single day. We were deeply immersed in the story, and we would like to stay that way forever. Congratulations to Filip!

ADVENTURES IN THE LAND OF ASHA by Sophie Farkas Bolla (Canada)

Reasons:

The CONAI Special Award 2023 for Best Environmentalist Film goes to "Adventures in the Land of Asha" by Sophie Farkas Bolla for succeeding in conveying through a story of friendship the founding values of respect for nature and environmental protection, reminding us that the earth does not belong to one single human being, but it is humans who belong to the earth.

COCO FARM by Sebastien Gagné (Canada)

Reasons:

The award goes to COCO FARM, a film that features all the key ingredients to successfully implement an entrepreneurial idea. Creativity, like Max's, can take you far if accompanied by determination and the right assessment of available resources. A film that deals with initiative, hurdles to overcome, cooperation and, above all, optimism, which enables us to turn critical junctures into a creative tension that can give rise to anything.

THE LIONESS by Raymond Grimbergen (The Netherlands)

LOOP by Luigi Russo (Italy)

THE LIONESS by Raymond Grimbergen (The Netherlands)

Reasons:

For its extraordinary ability to show how to face adversity and pursue one's dreams, the film is an inspiration to those struggling to overcome cultural and social barriers. Through the story of a young girl who turns difficulties into opportunities, the film conveys a powerful message of determination, resilience and personal fulfillment. It delivers an authentic and engaging portrayal of an individual's growth journey and celebrates the power of sport in overcoming diversity. For its narrative value and emotional impact, the film deserves this recognition as a testimony to hope and success. That is why I am pleased to present the LETE SPECIAL AWARD to RAYMOND GRIMBERGEN for the film LIONESS.

POPULAR THEORY by Ali Scher (USA)

Reasons:

The ENI award goes to POPULAR THEORY, a film that touched the emotional chords of young audiences and sparked meaningful debates in the theater, leaving a lasting impression on the days spent here at Giffoni. Your bold vision and engaging storytelling shows a level of originality and innovation that fully deserves our recognition and sympathy.

SYMPHONY by Ondřej Nedvĕd, Vojtĕch Komárek (Czech Republic)

Reasons:

Symphony deals with the topic of impairment in a poetic and light-hearted way, showing how acceptance and friendship can help overcome challenges and bullying, and conveying a strongly inclusive message: to welcome others, no matter the differences, and encourage them to become beautiful human beings.

THE FANTASTIC THREE by Michaël Dichter (France)

JUNIORS by Hugo Thomas (France)

Reasons:

Because it succeeds in offering a modern-day story whose young protagonists are immersed in a present-day setting which, thanks to an ironic and light tone, is easy to identify with. Besides comedy, the fast-paced and eventful narrative hints at more serious issues such as bullying, troubled family backgrounds and social contexts, illness and the teenage need to overcome prejudice, moving away from imposed models and conquering one's own freedom. The film's opening foreshadows a tightly-paced editing that, by portraying an unusual situation, immediately arouses the audience's curiosity and keeps it alive until the unraveling of the adventure experienced by the protagonist. Its straightforward and realistic dialogues make it easy for the film target audience to engage with it.

NORMAL by Olivier Babinet (France/Belgium)

ROCK.PAPER.GRENADE. by Iryna Tsilyk (Ukraine)

Reasons:

Because it effectively depicts a story of abandonment and caregiving related to the well-defined and shaped roles of men and women in 1990s Ukraine. A shared passion for classical music binds the life of the main character, whose events are narrated through temporal ellipses, and that of Felix, an ex-soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The connection between Ravel's Boléro and the representation of a trauma that is being passed down from generation to generation like the repetitive and almost obsessive melody is extremely meaningful, as already well hinted at by the repeated detail of the shoes. The director uses the continuous counterpoint between diegetic and extradiegetic music to depict the crossing of a threshold, a boundary that after many exits and comebacks will take the protagonist away from his nest. The bitter scenes that combine play with weapons hark back to a world of missed childhood, tainted by war and violence, which is evoked by the film title: Rock.Paper.Grenade.

IL PIU’ BEL SECOLO DELLA MIA VITA by Alessandro Bardani (Italy)

MIGHTY AFRIN: IN THE TIME OF FLOODS by Angelos Rallis (Greece/France)

MIGHTY AFRIN: IN THE TIME OF FLOOD by Angelos Rallis (Greece, France)

Reasons:

Acea Special Award goes to "MIGHTY AFRIN: IN THE TIME OF FLOODS" by Angelos Rallis, because it manages to shake up people's conscience and raise awareness among the youngest about the values that are indispensable for bringing about cultural, social and technological transformation: courage and hope.

AN IRISH GOODBYE by Tom Berkeley, Ross White (Ireland)