The nominees for the Yellow Robin Award Competition of the Curaçao edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) have been announced. During Curaçao IFFR, which runs from March 25 – 29, 2015, 5 talented young directors from the Caribbean will compete to win a $10,000 prize as well as the chance to screen their film during the 2016 edition of IFFR in the Netherlands, as well as priority access to industry activities such as CineMart and Rotterdam Lab during IFFR.
The Yellow Robin Award competition was launched in 2013 to offer emerging filmmakers from the Caribbean and Latin America a platform to develop their talent and support them in their careers by opening the doors to the world market through the festival’s connection with IFFR in the Netherlands.
The nominees for the Yellow Robin Award 2015 are:
"Sin alas"
Ben Chace – Cuba
When 70 year old, retired journalist Luis Vargas reads that celebrated ballerina Isabela Muñoz has died, his thoughts return to his brief, passionate, yet impossible relationship with her. A love story with great music and lots of local color.
"Por amor en el caserio"
Antonio Morales/Juan Luis Rodriquez – Puerto Rico
This variation on Romeo and Juliet set in the poor neighbourhoods (called caserio) of San Juan, Por amor en el caserio is partially based on the experiences of local amateur actors. Antonio Morales previously also wrote the script for the play that aimed to reduce drug-dealing and violence on the streets.
"Primero de enero"
Erika Bagnarello – Dominican Republic/Costa Rica
A great road movie about children that also tackles tough adult themes. Crime, divorce and illegality are dealt with airily in the story about a boy who will stop at nothing to find his father’s stolen piano. Because if the piano comes back, his father is sure to follow.
"Tú y yo"
Natalia Cabral – Dominican Republic
A tragi-comic documentary on the daily lives of an elderly Caucasian widow and her Afro-Caribbean housekeeper who lives with her. Their quiet days are filled with hard work, soap series and grumbling within four spotless walls. However, sometimes the fact that the gradually intertwined women are from entirely different social classes becomes painfully apparent.
"Las vacas con gafas "
Alex Santiago – Puerto Rico
When a solitary, eccentric artist and professor hears he’ll go blind, he has to deal with this terrifying fact and reconcile with his daughter, who became alienated from him due to circumstances years ago. Subtle drama about aging and coming to terms with the inevitable.
The winner of the Yellow Robin Award will be announced during the official Award Ceremony on Saturday March 28, in Willemstad.
Further program information will follow on March 19.
