53rd International Short Film Festival Oberhausen 2007
May 3-8, 2007

The Ecumenical Jury at the 53rd International Short Film Days Oberhausen with the members

Frauke Baymann, Marseille/ France
Bernd Durst, Frankfurt/ Germany (President)
Lucienne Lanaz, Nyon/ Switzerland
Julia Laggner, Graz/ Austria
Eberhard Steirer, Essen/ Germany

has given the Ecumenical Film Award, including a prize money of € 1500.-, to the film

Tolya
directed by Rodeon Brodsky, Israel 2006

A Russian foreign worker in Israel is confronted with vanishing memories of his home country. In a muddled moment he succeeds by a surprising action in laughing together with his wife at the telephone.
Delightful, humane and full of love – a convincing debut film.

The jury awards a commendation to the film

We Will Win
directed by Mahmoud Hojeij, Libanon 2006

A revealing allegory of the Arabic-Israeli conflict achieved by the simplest devices.

The jury awards a further commendation to the film

I Have Nothing To Say To You
by Goran Devic, Croatia 2006

By a blunt description the film opposes the process of denial in a small Croatian city after the war. Without an examination of the truth darkness will prevail in this place.