Locarno, 17th August 2015 (SIGNIS).- The Ecumenical Jury at the Locarno Festival 2015 awarded its Prize to Ma Dar Behesht by Sina Ataeian Dena (Iran/Germany, 2015).




“A strong and courageous Iranian film about the daily life of Hanieh, a young female teacher working in primary school in Teheran's southern suburbs. Thanks to spare moments of freedom one can experience a sense of hope despite the oppressive conditions Iranian women have to endure”.

The Jury also gave two Commendations to:

Jigeumeun Matgo Geuttaeneun Teullida (Right now - wrong then) by Hong Sangsoo (South Korea 2015)

“A film about love, honesty, integrity and the courage to go beyond social barriers. With tender humour it shows how small variations open up wider possibilities.“


Bella e Perduta , by Pietro Marcello (2015)

"A prophetic tale about a true story on respect and care of our “common House”. Not only a political statement, but also a poetic experience.”

The jury members were Thomas Wipf (Suisse), Franz-Xaver Hiestand (Suisse), Ola Sigurdson (Suède), Gaëlle Courtens (Italie), Martin Ernesto Bernal Alonso (Argentine) and Catherine Wong (Hong Kong) who was the president.