Parade of cinema and sports stars for the gala evening of the 44th edition of the Sportfilmfestivalthe oldest sports cinema event in the world, chaired by Roberto Marco Oddo and directed by Stefania Tschantret, which took place in the Politeama theater in Palermo with the participation of directors and producers from 35 nations. The overall Best Sport Film award goes to the American opera «Mundije» by Fatmir Ilir Bardhoci. The “Golden Paladin” was then awarded to Ricky Tognazzi, in memory of his father Ugo, and Luca Barbareschi for directing the American film «The Penitent», the director Paolo Genovese and the Sicilian actress Ester Pantano for the TV series « The Lions of Sicily», Paolo Licata for «The love I have» dedicated to Rosa Balistreri, Sergio Vespertino for his performance in Pif’s film «Inwar for love» and Marianna di Martino for the interpretation of Agata Scalia in the TV series «Incastrati».
The coveted statuette was then also awarded to some sports figures, such as the former NbI basketball player Greivis Vasquez and again to Alessandro Lucarelli and Marco De Marchi for their career as a footballer and sports agent. The event, which has the media partner of Rai Sport and is sponsored by the presidency of the Sicilian Region, the regional department for Tourism, Sport and Entertainment and by the presidency of the Ars, was conducted by the patron Robero Oddo with the journalist Nadia La Malfa and with the collaboration of Sonia Hamza and Marika Faraci.
«I am happy and honored by the positive response to this 44th edition – said patron Oddo – which recorded record numbers, for participating nations and film screenings, 80 in one week. The happiness of the directors and producers who arrived from all over the world, from Japan to Australia to the United States, and literally struck by the beauty of Palermo and the magic of the Festival, gives me the right stimuli to continue to defend and protect, despite the many difficulties, this extraordinary cultural heritage that is the Festival, of which I am proud and proud.”
«It was a true honor for me – said Stefania Tschantret – to hold the role of artistic director of this festival, an event that was conducted and implemented impeccably thanks to the vision and extraordinary dedication of our president, Roberto Oddo. This festival provided unforgettable moments, pure energy and contagious happiness. The final evening was the worthy conclusion of a journey full of emotions, embellished with illustrious guests and a magical atmosphere, which deservedly celebrated this year’s winners.”
The list of winners of the categories in the competition
Best Sound Mixing: RDS GP: Tire war 2 by A.Kuzmichev – RUSSIA
Best Screenplay: All I Ever Wanted by Carlos P Beltran–USA
Best Editing: King of Dunes by JWGriffiths – QATAR School Award: 3 days to change by Stefano Fozzi – ITALY
Best Picture: Swing Bout by Maurice O’ Carroll – IRELAND Best Leading Role: Roman Kostomarov – RUSSIA
Best Actress: Blow by Blow by Emilio Ruiz Barrachina SPAIN
Best Director: EFC by Jaze Bordeaux – CANADA University Award: Everywhere by KECampbell, C.Ha – AUSTRALIA
Best Fiction: The Late Game by Jeff Tyner – USA
Best Documentary: Now I Win by SHParagnani/P.Geremei ITALY
Best Productions: The Short Game by Frank Sanza – USA Best Other Cinema: Un Plan Muy Pro by Nacho Ros – SPAIN
Best Football Film: Giroud by David Perrier FRANCE Best Paralympic Film: The Power of Sports For Amputees by M.Krown – USA
Best Olympic Film: Moses. 13 Steps. by Michael Wech – GERMANY Jury Award: The Captain’s Job by Davide Potente
Best Short Film: The Way Home by Philip Boston – USA Best Feature Film: SemperxSempre BY Mario Maellaro – ITALY
Best Sports Film: Mundije by Fatmir Ilir Bardhoci – USA