Audience and Jury Award

Award winners 2025

During the award ceremony of the 48. Grenzland-Filmtage International Film Festival 2025, the winners in the various categories will be announced. The winning films of the public vote will be shown again on Sunday, 27.04.2025 in separate screenings. The exact showtimes can be found in the program schedule.

• ZuKi Film Award Children's Film

  Homework
  Nacho Arjona | Spain 2024

  This award is donated by Zukunft Kinder e.V..
• Jury Film Award "Eastern European Film"

  Wild
  Štěpán Uždil | Czech Republic 2024

  Jury statement:
  The winning film has a calm, archaic mood. Expressive acting brings the characters to life with just a few words. Atmospheric images show the precarious everyday life of the family: brother and sister have to decide which roles they want to play in the future. What personal sacrifices are they prepared to make so that the family tradition can continue?
  The film convinced us because it makes the external and internal conflicts of the characters, torn between individual dreams and expectations, tangible.

  Honourable mention to "Ein wenig Zucker"
  Small everyday moments are convincingly portrayed and provide a deep insight into the relationship between the two main actresses. The difficult mother-daughter relationship is sensitively portrayed, and the characters' perspectives - the excessive demands on both sides - are believably portrayed. Despite this, the film maintains an optimistic mood, which culminates in the final scene.

  This award is donated by Stadt Selb.

• Jury Film Award "Newcomer Film Award"

  Flügge
  Leopold Schraudolph, Dani Rose Cortés | Germany 2024

  Jury statement:
  A historical subject, masterfully staged and told in a highly topical way - 29 minutes that impress and show at the same time: This is a story that deserves to be told in a feature-length film. The film is a vivid example of how willpower and perseverance can lead to success. The admirable determination to never give up is reflected in every scene. We honour this extraordinary achievement today by awarding the prize to Flügge.

  Honourable mentions to "Beautiful Smile"
  With seemingly few resources, this film develops an impressive emotional impact. The young actors in particular show a maturity in their performances that is deeply moving. For this powerful and honest performance, we would also like to give Beautiful Smile an honourable mention today.

  Honourable mention to "Eine kleine Flucht"
  With wonderful lightness and humour, this film takes us into a world that only children can see. Little Escape is a light-hearted and charming tale of little adventures and big feelings - a real treat that will leave you smiling. That's why we'd like to give a special mention to the film 'Eine kleine Flucht'.

  This award is donated by Sparkasse Hochfranken.

• Film Award "Indie-Award"

  Vexier
  Matthias Wissmann | Germany 2024

  Jury statement:
  Vexier by Matthias Wissmann shows the insecurity and desperation of the main character, Lea, who is stuck in an increasingly toxic relationship. Supported by perfectly chosen motifs and a well-tuned score, you can't help but root for the convincing cast. The image of the hedge in the garden, visualising the wall and the oppressive narrowness of the relationship, is particularly striking.
  Wissmann takes on a difficult subject and succeeds impressively in bringing it to the screen. The combination of motif, score, cast and solid direction deserves the Indie Award.

  This award is presented by the director Michael von Hohenberg and donated by PROBAU Massivhaus GmbH.
• Audience Film Awards

  Feature Film:

  Into the Sauna
  Danil Ivanov | Russia 2024

  Midlenght Feature Film:

  Flügge
  Leopold Schraudolph, Dani Rose Cortés | Germany 2024

  Short Film:

  City of Pigs
  Juan Àngel Hernández | Spain, UK 2024

  Documentary:

  Vater und Jaust
  Jonas Bomba, Josua Zehner | Germany 2024

  This award is donated by designer Barbara Flügel.

Award winners 2025 - Schedule 27.04.2025 (Cinema 1)

13.45 Uhr

• Homework (Award winner "ZuKi-Filmpreis")
• Vater und Jaust (Audience award winner "Documentary")
• Wild (Award winner "Eastern European Film")
• City of Pigs (Audience award winner "Short film")

16.00 Uhr

• Flügge (Newcomer award winner and audience award winner "Mid-elength feature")
• Vexier (Award winner "Indie-Award")

18.15 Uhr

• Into the Sauna (Audience award winner "Feature film")