27/4/2016 - "Sonita" and "Tempestad" to receive awards at DOK.fest Munich 2016

The 31st DOK.Fest Munich has announced the winners of this year's ARRI AMIRA Award and Preis der SOS-Kinderdörfer.

The DOK.fest Munich has announced the winners of this year's ARRI AMIRA Award and Preis der SOS-Kinderdörfer. 

This year marks the debut of the ARRI AMIRA Award, the only prize in Germany to award the work of cinematographers in documentary. The winner of the prize, which is worth 5,000 Euros, is Ernesto Pardo, whose images accompany the story of n imprisoned and displaced Mexican woman in Tatian Huezo's film Tempestad. 

The jury wrote in its statement "The oustanding camera work by Ernesto Pardo gives the audience scope to associate with something inconceivable that has still happened. Through their natural closeness and intimacy with the foreign woman, the concrete and apparently simple images create a puzzling blend of dream, nightmare and reality." 

Both Pardo and Huezo will be presenting a screening of Tempestad at the award ceremony on May 9. 

The DOK.fest Preis der SOS-Kinderdörfer weltweit 2016, which gives recognition to films that focus on children's lives and is worth 3,000 Euros, goes to Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami's Sonita. 

The film tells the story of an 18-year-old Afghan woman, Sonita, who lives as a refugee in Teheran and dreams of a career as a hip hop star. But her family has plans for her to get married in her homeland. In a country where it is forbidden for women to sing, the young rapper uses her music to fight for her future. 

The award ceremony including the film screening will take place on May 15. 

The 31st DOK.fest Munich takes place from the 5th to the 15th of May. For more information, go to https://www.dokfest-muenchen.de/