We loved the lineup at Genesis Cinema’s inaugural Fragments Festival (07 to 15 JUN 2019) & really hope this “celebration of inclusivity through film” returns in future years. Until then, here’s news about the 2019 jury award winners.

By RADIANT CIRCUS

Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

A “celebration of inclusivity through film”, Fragments Festival has shone a light on underrepresented stories and filmmakers from around the world. Created by the team at one of London’s true independents, Genesis Cinema, the inaugural edition of the festival drew to a close on 15 JUN with the announcement of the jury awards.

As is usual in our festival-going habits, we missed out on seeing the award winners, but loved embracing the diversity of such fare as SEARCHING EVA (you can read our writeup of Pia Hellentha’s 2019 film – complete with Q&A with Eva Collé – here), and EDGE OF THE KNIFE (d. Gwaai Edenshaw & Helen Haig-Brown, 2019, Canada) which we described on leaving the auditorium as follows:

Well, that was brutal… kinda like THE REVENANT b2b PASSION OF THE CHRIST with less trashy CGI bear rape & more of the profoundly compelling yet mysterious textures of a people deeply integrated with their place. Simply wow! https://t.co/Wuwbxn08v0

— Radiant Circus (@radiantcircus) June 15, 2019

The 2019 jury comprised Oscar-winning and twice BAFTA nominated film producer, and Birds Eye View Director-at-Large Mia Bays, screenwriter and producer Geoff Deane (IT’S A BOY GIRL THING and KINKY BOOTS), actor Clint Dyer (SUS and MINE), and actor and director Dominique Tipper (THE EXPANSE).

And the winners are:

BEST FEATURE: TIME TO DIE d. Yonni Usiskin & Matt Shea (2019, UK)

TIME TO DIE follows four individuals suffering from various life-hindering conditions who seek to take control of their situation by ending their own lives. With insight into the organisation Exit International and the information they provide about end of life choices and methods including illegal lethal drugs, the film sensitively handles the stories of those who endeavour to experience death on their own terms.

Jury member Dominique Tipper commented that TIME TO DIE was: “A weighty and very sensitive topic dealt with in the most impartial but also respectful way. A very impactful and eye-opening piece.”

Directed by Yonni Usiskin and Matt Shea, TIME TO DIE is the first feature documentary from VICE Studios’ UK team. “When the act of dying has become such a politically and morally loaded issue, it’s easy to forget that we will all endure the challenges life throws at us,” says Yonni Usiskin. “I dedicate this film to the memory of Avril, Adam and Josh who are no longer with us, and Chris – who continues to battle his cancer – all tremendously brave to let us into their world.”

BEST SHORT: GIFTS FROM BABYLON d. Bas Ackermann (2018, Gambia/Netherlands)

Bas Ackermann’s short film about African youth chasing European dreams, GIFTS FROM BABYLON explores the psychological impact of Africa-EU migration through the lens of a Gambian return-migrant. A special mention in this category went to THE LYRICS THAT TOOK ME HOME by Jan Rufus.

YOUNG FILMMAKER AWARD: A CONVERSATION WITH THE SUBCONSCIOUS d. Hedydd Ioan

Sixteen year old Hedydd Ioan from Penygroes in Gwynedd, Wales, wins the Young Filmmaker Award with his Welsh language sci-fi short. A special mention in this category went to DAY WITH A LONER by Muzahidul Islam Zahin.

BEST FILM SHOT ON A PHONE: LUNCH BREAK d. Thamanna Sol

Thamanna Sol illustrates the issue of food wastage in this debut short film. Shot on her father’s Samsung A7 in just two hours, and with the help of her VII B classmates at the Alan Feldman Public School (Kochi, India), LUNCH BREAK was made for a school competition and has now been screened at film festivals around the world.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

Read our RADIANT CIRCUS writeup of SEARCHING EVA + Q&A with Eva Collé from this year’s Fragments Festival.

GENESIS CINEMA

Celebrating its 20th year, Genesis Cinema on the Mile End Road offers incredible variety and value-for money. The blankets provided in their epic – and therefore hard to heat – main screen are also a welcome part of their charm. Not content with offering home to such varied exhibitors as Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest, Filikino, Birds’ Eye View, Rochester Kino/Cult Classic Collective, CineSisters and many others, they also screen regular free events in their Bar Paragon which make this a great venue for lovers of screen-culture in all its forms.

Web genesiscinema.co.uk | Instagram @genesiscinema | Twitter @GenesisCinema

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*THE SMALL PRINT: As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version. Event dates/times are subject to change by the venue/organiser. We try to only list events you can book for at the time of posting: however, some events may still be sold out. Please click quickly! We don’t filter by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should be 18+.