Simon Lereng Wilmont’s film picked up the top Golden Alexander Award-Best Film with its €12,000 cash prize, as well as the FIPRESCI Award.

The awards were announced Sunday on the closing day of the 24th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival.

A House Made of Splinters produced by Denmark’s Final Cut for Real, is a poetic and heartfelt observational doc about a shelter for neglected children, set in Lysychansk, Eastern Ukraine.The jury of the international competition described it as “an unforgettable film that shines a light on the burden carried by children for the horrors and mistakes perpetrated by the world of the adults who should be caring for them.”

Earlier laurels picked up by Lereng Wilmont’s film include Best Director at Sundance, and Best Nordic Doc in Göteborg. It will next screen at CPH:DOX’s Highlights, Politiken:Dox and Stand for Ukraine sections. Cinephil handles sales.

Other Thessaloniki awards were handed out to Nordic docs:

  • The €10,000 Golden Alexander “Dimitri Eipides” Award in the newcomers competition section went to the Finnish film Golden Land by Inka Ashté.
    The jury said in its statement: “Inka Achté’s fim Golden Land tells a beautiful and moving family story of belonging in a way which changes the narrative of migration. The film follows a loving father and his kids who travel back to Somaliland from Europe. Through coherent storytelling and beautiful cinematography, it shows – in a non-didactic manner – a family’s struggles and dreams. A family which tries to build a better future in, and for their ancestral land”. The film produced by Napafilms is sold by Cats& Docs.
  • The Mermaid Award for the best LGBTQI+ themed film in the official selection went to the Swedish film Gabi: Between Ages 8 and 13 by Engeli Broberg. The jury praised the " inspiringly joyful portrayal of gender fluidity and the powerful example it sets for families of non-cisgender children." The House of Real production is represented by New-York-based Cargo Film & Releasing.

Both A House Made of Splinters and Golden Land were backed by Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

For the full list of Thessaloniki awards, check: www.filmfestival.gr