{"id":61817,"date":"2026-03-07T21:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T19:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/?p=61817"},"modified":"2026-03-07T21:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T19:35:09","slug":"tampere-film-festival-awards-presented-at-comedy-theatre-palace-grand-prix-to-mariam-khatchvanis-inherited-silence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/tampere-film-festival-awards-presented-at-comedy-theatre-palace-grand-prix-to-mariam-khatchvanis-inherited-silence\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampere Film Festival Awards Presented at Comedy Theatre Palace \u2013 Grand Prix to Mariam Khatchvani\u2019s Inherited Silence"},"content":{"rendered":"

The competitions of Tampere Film Festival culminated on Saturday evening, 7 March, with the Awards held at the atmospheric Comedy Theatre Palace, where the winners of the festival\u2019s film competition series were announced. Awards were presented in the National and International Competitions, as well as in the Generation XYZ Competition dedicated to genre films.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the evening, audience favorites were also honored, and the Sustainability Award Verso focused on ecological responsibility in film production was presented. In addition, the Sylvi Prizes by the Writers Guild of Finland were presented for the third time in connection with the festival, recognizing the best film and TV series scripts.<\/span><\/p>\n

International Competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Grand Prix, the main award of the International Competition, went to the Georgian fiction short <\/span>Inherited Silence<\/span><\/i> (Georgia, 2025) directed by <\/span>Mariam Khatchvani<\/b>. According to the jury, the film offers <\/span>a complex look at how domestic violence becomes normalized and the social structures that allow it to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMariam Khatchvan:\u00a0Inherited Silence\u00a0(Georgia, 2025)<\/p>\n

A candidacy for the European Film Academy\u2019s European Short Film \u2013 Prix Vimeo 2027 was awarded to <\/span>Igor Smola\u2019s<\/b> short film <\/span>It Lives Under The Snow<\/span><\/i> (Azerbaijan, Singapore, 2025). The jury praised its <\/span>carefully crafted cinematography<\/span> and its <\/span>haunting<\/span> urban legend story that keeps audiences <\/span>holding their breath<\/span> until the very end.<\/span><\/p>\n

The award for Best Documentary in the International Competition went to <\/span>SON<\/span><\/i> (Sweden, 2025) by <\/span>Leona Cauklija<\/b>. The Best Animation award was given to the experimental animated film <\/span>Unanimated Strangers<\/span><\/i> (Ireland, 2025) directed by <\/span>R\u00f3is\u00edn Kelly<\/b>. The jury selected <\/span>Uragshaa harsan tsonh<\/span><\/i> (France, Mongolia, 2025) by <\/span>Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir<\/b> as Best Fiction. The International Audience Award went to the documentary <\/span>Living Despite Them<\/span><\/i> (Palestine, 2024\/2025), directed by <\/span>Antonia Colodro<\/b> and <\/span>Alaa Hathleen<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The International Competition jury consisted of last year\u2019s Grand Prix winner <\/span>Mart\u00edn Seeger<\/b>, together with <\/span>Yvonne Ashley Kouadjo<\/b>, <\/span>Sai Naw Kham<\/b>, <\/span>Sigrid Hadenius-Ebner <\/b>and <\/span>Sunna Nousuniemi<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

National Competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Main Prize in the National Competition for films under 30 minutes went to<\/span> Risto-Pekka Blom\u2019s<\/b> experimental documentary <\/span>Liian sininen taivas<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>Too Blue a Sky<\/span><\/i>, Finland, 2026). According to the jury, the film \u2013 presenting 150 years of history narrated by a freshwater pearl mussel \u2013 <\/span>comes with an urgent reminder: the planet doesn\u2019t belong only to us, nor the millionaires and billionaires.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRisto-Pekka Blom: Too Blue a Sky (Finland, 2026)<\/p>\n

A Special Prize in the same category was awarded to <\/span>Puolanka Pussy Rally<\/span><\/i> (Finland, 2026), a documentary by <\/span>Inka Acht\u00e9<\/b> and <\/span>Einari Paakkanen<\/b>. The jury described it as a film that <\/span>paints a picture of the structural changes happening in a small Finnish community, using endearing humor to deliver a sharp social commentary.<\/span> The film also received Tampere\u2019s nomination for the European Short Film Audience Award.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Youth Jury Award in the under-30-minute category went to <\/span>In My Hand<\/span><\/i> (Norway, Sweden, Finland, 2025) by <\/span>Marja Helander <\/b>and <\/span>Liselotte Wajstedt<\/b>, which was also screened in the International Competition. The jury described the film as touching, eye-opening, and visually striking, conveying an impactful message that deserves to be heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the National Competition for films over 30 minutes, the Main Prize was awarded to <\/span>Jukka K\u00e4rkk\u00e4inen\u2019s <\/b>documentary <\/span>Kappale kauneinta Suomea \u2013 The Beauty of Errors<\/span><\/i> (Finland, 2026). The jury described the film as a masterpiece <\/span>that looks at its characters with a lot of humor and respect. The filmmakers invite us to the life of a family living in a small Finnish village, filled with hardships but above all, love. The film celebrates everyday life with flaws alongside its beauty of errors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jukka K\u00e4rkk\u00e4inen also received the annual Risto Jarva Prize from the Finnish Film Foundation. Exceptionally, the award was granted for two of his films: <\/span>The Beauty of Errors<\/span><\/i>, which competed in the over-30-minute category, and <\/span>The Beauty of Automobiles<\/span><\/i> (Finland, 2026), which competed in the under-30-minute category. The jury stated that this year they found it important to honor two films distinguished by their originality and personality \u2013 one short and one longer \u2013 representing two different but equally important ways of making films.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Special Prize in the over-30-minute National Competition went to <\/span>Karin Annika Pennanen\u2019s<\/b> documentary <\/span>P\u00e4ivien lumo<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>Days of Wonder<\/span><\/i>, Finland, Denmark, Norway, 2025). The jury noted that the film <\/span>successfully takes us on a journey through time and the hidden world of an unknown artist. In her search for a connection to her uncle, the filmmaker creates a heartfelt portrait of a unique mind.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Church Media Foundation Prize was given to <\/span>Selma Vilhunen\u2019s <\/b>short film <\/span>Portti paratiisiin<\/span><\/i> (A <\/span>Gate to Paradise<\/span><\/i>, Finland, 2025). The Sustainability Award Verso (presented by the City of Tampere, Audiovisual Producers Finland \u2013 APFI, and Tampere Film Festival) was awarded to the entire production team of the feature-length documentary <\/span>Palava maa<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>Lessons in FIre,<\/span><\/i> Finland, 2025), directed by <\/span>John Webster<\/b>, for the film\u2019s ecological production practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Student Award went to <\/span>Muistot liikkuvat kuin kaukaiset saaret<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>Memories Move Like Distant Islands<\/span><\/i>, Finland, 2025) directed by <\/span>Saarlotta Virri<\/b>. The film\u2019s cinematographer <\/span>Annika Miettinen<\/b> also received the Golden Shade Equipment Rental Prize For Cinematographe (Valofirma \u2013 The Light House, Kamerafirma \u2013 The Camera House). A Special Mention in the National Competition was given to <\/span>Helmi Donner\u2019s <\/b>short film <\/span>Matalapaine<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>The Lightning Rod<\/span><\/i>, Finland, 2025). The National Audience Award went to <\/span>Sami S\u00e4np\u00e4kkil\u00e4\u2019s<\/b> feature documentary <\/span>Anssi Kasitonnin maailma<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>8000: An Art Odyssey<\/span><\/i>, Finland, 2025).<\/span><\/p>\n

The jury of the National Competition consisted of <\/span>Ulla Heikkil\u00e4<\/b>, <\/span>Irene Soriano<\/b> and <\/span>Lauri-Matti Parppei<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Generation XYZ<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The award for Best Genre Film in the Generation XYZ Competition went to <\/span>Jocelyn Charles\u2019s<\/b> animated film <\/span>Dieu est timide<\/span><\/i> (<\/span>God Is Shy<\/span><\/i>, France, 2025). According to the jury, the film captures the <\/span>true essence of existential horror. It doesn\u2019t take the usual route of the genre, but something very unexpected: something that stays with you and makes you want to dive into your own fears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Animaatiostilli,
\nJocelyn Charles: Dieu est timide (France, 2025)<\/p>\n

A Special Mention in the Generation XYZ Competition went to <\/span>Rein Maychaelson\u2019s<\/b> Sammi, Who Can Detach His Body Parts<\/span><\/i> (Indonesia, 2025). The Audience Award was won by <\/span>TMWYH<\/span><\/i> (Austria, 2025), directed by <\/span>Helen Esther Aschauer<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Generation XYZ jury consisted of <\/span>Jana Riemann<\/b>, <\/span>AJ Annila<\/b> and <\/span>Marisha Rasi-Koskinen<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sylvi Prizes<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Writers Guild of Finland has presented the Sylvi Prizes since 2021 for the best film and television screenplays. Many leading Finnish screenwriters have received the award. It is granted solely on the basis of the script, not the finished film or series. This year, the Sylvi Prizes were presented for the third time as part of Tampere Film Festival Awards.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sylvi Prize for the Best Film Script went to <\/span>Jossain on valo joka ei sammu<\/span><\/i> (Finland, 2025), written by <\/span>Lauri-Matti Parppei<\/b>. The jury described the script as making full use of the possibilities of cinematic storytelling, managing to be both realistic and hopeful \u2013 \u201ca real magic trick in this time and global situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sylvi Prize for the Best TV Series Script was awarded to <\/span>Niklas Lindgren<\/b> for <\/span>Kurjen kirous<\/span><\/i>. The jury noted that the series builds its narrative through well-motivated shifts between timelines, increasing tension and holding the reader\u2019s attention until the end. Self-irony is a difficult genre, the jury added, but the series succeeds in it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Awarded Films Screenings on Sunday at Finnkino Cine Atlas<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The awarded films will be screened on Sunday, 8 March, at the Finnkino Cine Atlas cinema starting at 11:00. Tickets for the <\/span>Awarded Films<\/span><\/a> screenings can be purchased from the <\/span>festival\u2019s online store<\/span><\/a> as well as from the festival\u2019s ticket outlet at Finnkino Cine Atlas.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Awarded Films 2026 page<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The competitions of Tampere Film Festival culminated on Saturday evening, 7 March, with the Awards held at<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":59365,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,37,26,24],"tags":[201,53,164,162,163,52],"class_list":["post-61817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-competitions","category-kilpailut-en","category-press-release","category-tiedote-en","tag-awards","tag-competition","tag-generation-xyz-competition","tag-international-competition","tag-national-competition","tag-tampere-film-festival"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61817"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61855,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61817\/revisions\/61855"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/59365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61817"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61817"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tamperefilmfestival.fi\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61817"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}