"This years Friese-Award goes to Cologne. The Jury chose the Film “A Fairy Tale with a Completely Imagined Ending“ (2014) by Markus Wulf (and we hope that he will continue to make great films like this one).

We thought the film was extremely funny and it was clear at a very early stage that it has to win!

You can tell that it was very elaborate and time consuming to produce this fanciful film, and that the team has put a lot of effort into the costumes and the animation.

The actors (the adults as well as the children) where convincing as well

We also liked, that the film shows that being a princess is not always great. It’s crass, when Helene refuses to put her crone back on, since most other girls dream about a crone like that."

This years Mo-Award goes to the Netherlands. The Jury chose the Film “Ninnoc“ (2015) by Niki Padidar

“We have seen 22 films and there where a lot of really goods ones. So thanks to all the filmmakers.

But there was one film where we thought instantly: This is it! This ist he best one.

This years Mo award goes to Ninnoc“ by Niki Padidar.

A touching documentary portait of a 12 year old dutch girl that tells us a story about being different.”

„Ninnoc, that could be me, at least a bit.”

„Ninnoc is brave, sad, smart and honest. She is different from the others ans that is important in this world.“

„I am still thinking about this film - and in a good way. Ninnoc shows us a very distinct and quirky Perspective on life.“

„The filmmaker did a magnificent job . She has found ravishingly beautiful images for an incredible interesting topic. And she succeeded in representing different Emotion in a touching yet credible way.

I think that a lot of people rather supress Subjects like loneliness and depression. This film opens our eyes again to this topics.“

„This film can certainly help to help. Ninnoc shows how important it is to pay attention to one another, and to listen to people who are alone. And how stupid the question “Are you OK” can be, if you are feeling as if you have just been hit by a car.“

We are looking forward to more films by Niki Padidar and to a little less „Normal“ in this world.

 “Yes, we love documentaries!

And that is why we want to give a special mention to “Muri” by Jussi Rastas und Jenni Kivistö. It is so outrages to see how the protagonist is being treated in a different way than everybody else, just because the colour of his skin. We are certain, that this film has he power to move people and can help to change the minds of racist. The two filmmakers have found impressive images for this cause.

We also like fiction! If it is told in a good way and touches us with its message or excites and suprises us.

That is why we also wanted to give a special to „A qui la faute“ by Anne-Claire Jaulin.

The cat fight in a girl scout camp is showing how girls sometimes just make each other lifes harder. The scene in the forest grabbed us all.

The film is tough but it shows how far some people go to defend their position as group leader.

And we also think it important to make films hat show how much easier things would be if everyone could just love whomever he or she wants to love.”

The Freestyle-Award goes to Hopptornet (2016) by Maximilien Van Aertryck and Axel Danielson.

The award for the best film from the Freistil-program goes to a film that has surprised us all. A documentary that makes people laugh the way we did is something very special and we have really enjoyed these 15 minutes.

Thanks to its’ great concept and cut it will be our winner today. The film is in no way boring and surprised us with new ideas several times. The dialogues are very diverse and honest and even though we make fun of the people up there, we can’t help but sympathize. Because, seriously, would you have jumped? This years’ “Freischwimmer” goes to “Hopptornet” – 10 meter diving platform by Maximilien Van Aertryck and Axel Danielson from Sweden.

Furthermore we want to make a special mention for a film that has really touched us. It is an entertaining film which shows an up to date and serious topic in a special, humorous and relatable way. We have enjoyed every minute of this funny party.

One thing this film has managed to do is that he stays unpredictable for a long time and plays with the viewers’ guesses. It tricks you. Its’ plots needs only very little dialogue but lots of music. For its’ specialty and very interesting camera perspective this film is truly worth a special mention. Without further ado our special mention goes to „O noapte in Tokoriki” – by Roxana Stroe from Romania.