The committee watched 386 films from 80 countries, from which it selected 40 that were screened during the previous 5 days. From these emerged the seven finalists, and the three winners, according to the announcement of the Festival. Two honors were also awarded:
Honorary Distinctions:
SOSivio : A film created by Nikolaos Galanis, Nikos Konstantakis and the children of the elementary school of Kounavio, Crete, as a small contribution to the refugee problem.
The theater pulls uphill : The film was created by Nikos Loupakis and refers to the struggle of young and old actors to keep the theater alive in Greece.
Best Documentary Award:
Nominated for Best Documentary Award:
Thalatta, a Greek documentary by Triantaphyllia Dimopoulou, about the exploitation of the Greek Seas, a field that no one has ever sown but everyone is trying to reap.
Pastores de la Niebla (Shepherds of the Fog), a Spanish documentary by Domingo Moreno, about the millennial pastoral tradition of the shepherds of the Picos de Europa National Park.
Sea of life, a Canadian documentary by young Julia Barnes, a challenging journey through the most amazing and endangered marine ecosystems on the planet and the struggle of the movements for their salvation.
By any other name, an American documentary by Steven Gayle that examines in detail the relationship between African Americans and Indians on a genetic and cultural level.
The winner is the film
Sea of life by Julia Barnes, for the richness of the filmed underwater material, the excellent research, the variety of views of both experts and politicians as well as ordinary members of the ecological movement.
Jury Prize:
Nominees for the jury award were:
Fugir de l‘oblit, (A Escape from Oblivion), a Spanish documentary by Abel Moreno, which describes the adventurous life of 91-year-old Catalan Pitu.
Facing death with wirecutter, an Iraqi documentary by Sarwar Abdullah about a military team of Kurdistan Army engineers working with very simple equipment to remove bombs and landmines. by ISIS.
Pure Charcoal, a genuine Swiss documentary by Robert Müller that describes 3 generations of Swiss who continue the traditional production of charcoal.
The winner is the film
Fugir de l‘oblit, (Escape from Oblivion), by Abel Moreno, for the perfect story, which emerged through extensive research, presented with careful use of effects, creating a special cinematic writing. And for the great way in which he combines the struggle for both personal and collective memory.
Grand Prix
For the West Side Mountains Doc Fest Grand Prix, the film was selected:
Aquagranda in crescendo by Giovanni Pellegrini.
The documentary follows composer Perocco, director Michieletto and the team of Venice's historic La Fenice Opera House, telling both the birth of a modern opera and the story of the tragic 1966 flood that shook the heart of Venice.
In the opinion of the committee, it is a poetic masterpiece, with a tight script and perfect direction, where filmed snapshots from the rehearsals of the operatic work, are confronted with the historical events. Contemporary music and water are the real protagonists. The excellent sound and the perfect photography, together with the professional editing, make this documentary a film that captivates the viewers.
Members of the selection and award committees were:
Marios Retsilas director
Giannis Gavrilis journalist
Michalis Patseas conductor
Alexandra Avramioti editor
Nikos Papakostas director, composer and director of WSM DOC FEST
Honorary Distinctions
- SOSivio by Nikolaos Galanis, Nikos Konstantakis, primary school students in Kounavi
- Theater rises by Nikos Loupakis
Best Documentary Movie
Finalist:
- Thalatta by Triantafyllia Dimopoulou
- Pastores de la Niebla by Domingo Moreno
- Sea of life by Julia Barnes
- By any other name από τον Steven Gayle
Winner:
- Sea of life by Julia Barnes
Jury Prize
Finalist:
- Fugir de l’oblit by Abel Moreno
- Facing death with wirecutter by Sarwar Abdullah
- Pure Charcoal by Robert Müller
Winner:
- Fugir de l’oblit by Abel Moreno
Grand Prix
Aquagranda in crescendo by Giovanni Pellegrini
