Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zytoon’s documentary about the Syrian conflict was produced by Fridthjof Film with support from Nordisk Film & TV Fond.

The jury chaired by Canadian artist Bruce LaBruce said: “The War Show provoked an impassioned response from the jury. We were immediately struck by the political and social significance and urgency of the film, while also appreciating its daring and innovative approach to filmmaking. We deliberated on whether or not this harrowing documentary should be included alongside the rest of the Venice Days line-up, which was comprised of narrative fiction features. However, we came to the conclusion that the film worked on its own merits as an outstandingly crafted piece of cinema, not simply one that appealed to our moral conscience. The War Show is also an incredibly topical film that sheds light on an ongoing conflict that is too often ignored or misrepresented by the media. We believe it is a film that each and every one of us should see.”

The Venice Days €20,000 cash prize will be divided between The War Show’s directors and the international distributor of the film. 

To read the interview with producer Miriam Nørgaard and director Andreas Dalsgaard:   CLICK HERE 

The film is currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Other winners at the Venice Film festival’s sidebar include:

  • Sámi Blood by Sweden’s Amanda Kernel, awarded the Europa Cinema Label award and Best Debut Director award from FEDEORA (Federation of Film Critics of Europe and Mediterranean)  
  • Heartstone (Denmark/Iceland) by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson, winner of the Queer Lion award. 

Meanwhile in the main competition section, La Region Salvaje by Mexican director Amat Escalante co-produced by Denmark’s Snowglobe shared the Copa Volpi Best Director award with Andrei Konchalovski’s Paradise.