Posted: October 10
Java Films has entered autumn with lots of exciting festival selections and prizes awarded to our documentaries. Here are some of the highlights:
We are so pleased to announce that Shrouq Al Aila, a Palestinian journalist, producer, researcher, and the main protagonist of Gaza: Trapped in Hell, will receive the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists this November in New York!
Since Operation Iron Sword began following Hamas’ attack on Israel, Gaza has become largely uninhabitable, with 1.5 million people displaced and trapped. Conditions are dire, with only a third of hospitals functioning and UNICEF reporting a child injured or killed every 10 minutes. Aid is scarce and often intercepted, with food sold at exorbitant prices.
Hamas maintains strict control, suppressing dissent and stealing humanitarian aid. Amidst this chaos, children continue to play, but basic needs like clean water are a constant struggle. Shrouq, a 29-year-old journalist and mother, faces exhaustion as she witnesses the destruction and despair around her, wishing for a future free from war and suffering.
Venezuela: Country of Lost Children, directed by Camilo Cruz & Marc Wiese, garnered international acclaim with notable appearances at FIPADOC, One World International Human Rights Film Festival and Millenium Festival where it was awarded the Best Film on Human Rights, and at DOK.FEST where Oliver Stoltz received the Best Producer Award. New selections this autumn include DocsMX and Inconvenient Films Festival.
Corruption and mismanagement have turned Venezuela into a failed state, forcing over six million to flee and leaving around one million children behind. This film follows two single mothers in the violent barrio of Santa Rosa de Agua as they struggle to survive.
With healthcare in collapse, Carolina starts a foundation to feed starving children but sends her daughter, Victoria, to a children’s home for safety, while her 14-year-old son, Yorbenis, is pulled into gang life. Desperate for safety, Kiara plans to leave for Colombia with her younger children, leaving Yorbenis behind and fearing for his life amid threats from gangs and police.
It’s been a good year for two of our USA-focus documentaries. War on Women: The New Battle for Abortion in the USA won the Best Feature Documentary Award at New York Movie Awards, while The Body Politic (on top of its previous 22 festival appearances and screenings) was presented with the Audience Choice Award at Omaha Film Festival, as well as going on to win two awards at Woods Hole Film Festival: Director’s Choice Emerging Filmmaker Award and the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature.
In a city beset by gun violence, Baltimore’s newly elected mayor, Brandon Scott, aims to foster peace through prevention and support rather than policing. Growing up in the city’s troubled years, he hopes to provide hope and alternatives to the community. However, violence spikes shortly after he takes office, prompting media scrutiny and political backlash against his progressive policies. With the Governor of Maryland refusing to meet with him and his administration facing challenges, cameras capture Scott and his team during their first year in office. Can his holistic approach pave the way for healing and serve as a model for the nation?
Lie to Me had a strong start to the year and shows no sign of slowing down, with upcoming appearances at IDFA, Inconvenient Films Festivals, Sofia Documental Film Festival and Nordic/Docs Film Festival.
Following on from its previous success, Tax Wars continues to earn local attention in Norway and further afield, with upcoming appearances at Bergen International Film Festival, Fraud Film Festival and Greemotions Film Festival, to name a few. Le Monde deemed Dehli and Harel’s documentary “very well done and accessible to all”.
The Click Trap has gained considerable traction in the U.S., featuring at the Dialogues Documentary Festival, Lane Doc Fest, and the UNAFF United Nations Association Film Festival. It will also be showcased at several upcoming festivals there (UNAFF, Lane Doc Fest, and Dialogues Documentary Festival).
We’re pleased to share that several of our films, including Kabul Beauty, Nenets vs Gas, and The Mind Game, have achieved remarkable success and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Margaux Benn and Solène Chalvon Fioriti’s Kabul Beauty won Best Film in the Youth Division at Japan Prize alongside Premio della Critica SNCCI at Pordenone Docs Fest.
Nenets vs Gas garnered significant attention, earning widespread acclaim and winning the Amnesty International Italy Award for Best Documentary at the Siciliambiente Film Festival! Its success only continues to grow, including selections at Matsalu Nature Film Festival, EKOFILM Festival, and Innsbruck Nature Film Festival – with further selections in France and India to be revealed soon…
Between The Mind Game and Murky Waters, these films have garnered an impressive 28 prizes and festival selections since their release. The Mind Game secured the Education Award at Movies That Matter 2024. Murky Waters was presented with: Best Film Editing Award at Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston and La Sortie de l’Usine Award at Bergamo Film Meeting, in addition to Jury’s Special Mention in the Human Rights Category at International Film Festival of Uruguay!
Following on from its previous 23 film festival selections and awards, Duty of Care – The Climate Trials has gone on to receive two further awards: Best Film in the International at CMS VATAVARAN Film Festival and Jury Award at Another Way Film Festival Bordeaux.
Two other documentaries from our catalogue gained great recognition at FIGRA 2024. Your Face is Ours received the Human Rights Award, an acknowledgement of its significant contribution to discussions of critical social issues, whilst Prosecuting War Crimes in Ukraine was awarded the Audience Award.
We’re excited to see these films and others build on their success in the upcoming months! Thank you to those involved in creating these documentaries and telling these stories.