The 10th edition of the MDOC – Melgaço International Documentary Film Festival concluded with the announcement of the 2024 winners. Iranian director Farahnaz Sharifi’s film, My Stolen Planet, secured the Jean-Loup Passek Award for Best International Feature Film. This documentary delves into Sharifi’s personal history, exploring themes of migration and memory through a unique narrative style.
The festival, held from 29 July 29 to 4 August, showcased 22 national premieres among 31 official selections. These films tackled pressing global issues such as the Palestinian conflict, human rights, migration, colonialism, environmental concerns, and gender issues.
Other notable winners included Les Chenilles by Michelle and Noel Keserwany, which won Best Short or Medium-Length Film, and Tão pequeninas tinha o ar de ser já crescidas by Tânia Dinis, awarded Best Portuguese Documentary. Special mentions were given to No Other Land, a documentary on the Israeli-occupied Masafer Yatta community, and Savanna and the Mountain, which highlights local resistance against a British multinational’s mining project.
The festival jury, comprising international filmmakers and critics, inckuding Modern Times Review Editor in Chief Truls Lie, praised the diverse and impactful storytelling on display.
