HUG ME by Jeong Yun-Jeong (South Korea)

LAMPO, THE TRAVELLING DOG by Magdalena Niec (Poland)

HOMEWORK by Nacho Arjona (Spain)

BUFFALO KIDS by Juan Jesús García Galocha, Pedro Solís García (Spain)

Reasons:

“Buffalo Kids” delicately addresses themes related to inclusion and diversity, including people with disabilities, acceptance of different cultures and communities and children in fragile family situations. Despite the complexity of the topics covered, the film manages to maintain a dynamic, light and optimistic tone. The journey across the United States is the backdrop for an inner journey of the characters who, by listening to each other and being welcoming to each other, overcome their own limits and learn how to express their talent by putting it at the service of the group. All these features are very much in line with EasyJet's culture. Indeed, diversity and inclusion have always been part of the company's DNA as we highly value the establishment of an open environment that can welcome all people and embrace their characteristics.  In our view, travel is a way to discover, learn and unite, with the goal of nurturing an inclusive culture that is free from stereotypes, just as happens in “Buffalo Kids”. 
Furthermore, we believe the film is technically well made and we also particularly appreciated the quality of the dubbing. “Buffalo Kids” is a truly engaging work that was able to make all the members of our jury smile (and move).

WINNERS by Soleen Yusef (Germany)

YUCK! by Loïc Espuche (France)

KENSUKE'S KINGDOM by Kirk Hendry, Neil Boyle (UK/Luxembourg/France)

Reasons:

A story about friendship and, above all, about values that need to be passed down through generations. Values that are related first and foremost to respect for our planet and our precious natural resources, which must always be preserved and treated with utmost gratitude, as our own life originates from them.

BARTALI'S BICYCLE by Enrico Paolantonio (Italy/India/Ireland)

Reasons:

Acqua Lete presents the award to the film La Bicicletta di Bartali for its ability to deliver a message of hope and still having faith in others.

GRAVITY by Robotina (Italy)

Reasons:

A short film that cleverly uses a post-futuristic setting to remind us that our actions always have consequences and that neglect can be seriously detrimental. This dreamlike story delivers an important lesson: just as we take care of the things and people we love, we must also take care of the resources of the Earth.

DÌDI by Sean Wang (USA)

THE MAJOR TONES by Ingrid Pokropek (Argentina/Spain)

Reasons:

For the way it delicately depicts themes such as loneliness and family relationships and, above all, for the sensitivity it shows in addressing the richness that lies behind diversity and that is explored through Ana's teenage fears.

WE GROWN NOW by Minhal Baig (USA

Reasons:

Because the film addresses issues that remain highly topical today, such as racial prejudice and social poverty, confined in this case to a specific space that is separated from the rest of the urban fabric and is well represented by the real-life experience of the Cabrini Green neighborhood in Chicago in the 1990s. The storytelling is well structured, which enhances the film's goal of also raising the audience's awareness about a possible chance for redemption. The two main characters Malik and Eric very realistically portray two different ways of approaching life: the former, always displayed in warm-toned colors, is associated with imagination and belief in change; the latter, shown on screen in cool colors, is instead more pragmatic and disenchanted.

The main point of view the director chooses to adopt is that of the two boys, which is emphasized by the use of low-angle shots that become particularly poignant in the scenes when the characters are preparing to jump and then leap, hinting at their urge to overcome life's obstacles and grow up, just as mentioned in the title. Noises and voices from the buildings slowly accompany the viewer through the neighborhood housing, while the play scenes are coupled with a recurring musical background. The final sequence is marked by intense dialogue between the two protagonists and highlights the strength of their friendship despite their impending separation through the message Malik leaves Eric: “Don't be afraid to fly”.

TUESDAY by Daina Oniunas-Pusić (USA/UK)

THE IMMINENT AGE by Col•lectiu Vigília, Clara Serrano Llorens, Gerard Simó Gimeno (Spain)

Reasons:

The film is awarded because it delicately addresses themes such as the ability to take care of others, the transition to adulthood, the need to make choices and the suffering implied in leaving important parts of one's life behind.The collective of young people who made the work tells the story of Bruno and his grandmother using dilated rhythms that allow the shots to dwell on details and references to off-screen elements; in doing so, the narrative is fragmented and focused on building characters, bonds and situations.The protagonist's silences and waits deliver an emotional tension that is broken by explosive percussion sequences, which represent the boy's only emotional release.Lighting plays a key role as well. Indeed, the alternation between light and dark tones outlines the rhythm of the fragmented storytelling.The result is a picture in which opaque areas alternate with certainties in order to depict narrative turns and individual choices that always involve some degree of sorrow.

SUMMER BROTHER by Joren Molter (Netherlands/Belgium)

SILENT TREES by Agnieszka Zwiefka (Poland/Germany/Denmark)

BURUL by Adilet Karzhoev (Kyrgyzstan)