Thursday, April 18, 2024, marked the awards ceremony of the “Beausoleil Côte d’Azur Sport Film Festival.” Here’s a summary of the big winners from the many awards given out that evening.
The CDOS 06 and FICTS have organized the “Beausoleil Côte d’Azur Sport Film Festival” for three years. In alignment with the 2024 Olympic Games taking place in Paris, this year’s theme is “Sport and Olympism.” This year, the Beausoleil Côte d’Azur Sport Film Festival received more than 430 films from all over the world. More than 75 countries participated in this sports festival, setting a new record for the last three editions.
The festival spanned three days, featuring numerous documentaries on Tuesday, April 16, and Wednesday, April 17. To conclude on a high note, the closing ceremony was held on Thursday, April 18, featuring the awards presentation to the winners and a cocktail to close out the festival. The evening saw many directors and producers from across the globe, along with the festival’s patron, Alain Bernard, a double Olympic champion in swimming.
The Awarded Azuréen Clips
During the evening, two categories honored documentary filmmakers. One of these categories was exclusively reserved for Azuréen documentaries. It recognized four documentaries:
- The first Azuréen Clip Prize was awarded to Azur Sport Organisation for “Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes,” which retraces the famous marathon between Nice and Cannes.
- The OGC Nice Women’s Handball team won the 2nd Azuréen Clip Prize with their documentary “Carnaval,” which pays tribute to the design of their jersey in celebration of the Nice Carnival.
- The 3rd Azuréen Clip Prize was given to OAJLP Gymnastics d’Antibes for “Gymnastique,” tied with ASPTT Nice Côte d’Azur for “Flots de passion.”
The Nomination of International Documentaries
The Beausoleil Côte d’Azur Sport Film Festival dedicates a significant portion to international documentaries. The awarded films are then nominated for the FICTS in Milan. Consequently, several documentaries were recognized in different categories, including:
- The Best Clip Award went to English director Lucinda McLaren for “Summer of Sport.”
- The Best Film Sport and Society Award was given to German director Ben Unger for his documentary “Last duel in cold war,” which recounts sport between the two Germanys during the Cold War.
- The Best Film Sport and Olympism Award was won by Hungarian producer Tamas Zákonyi S. for highlighting the importance of Waterpolo for his country.
- The Best Documentary Award was given to French director Farid Haroud in partnership with La Casquette for the documentary “Like Lionesses.” The documentary illustrates the prestige and journey of Lyon’s women’s football team.
- American director Paul Taubileb won the Jury Prize for his documentary “Ground swell: The other side of fear,” following the world’s greatest surfers.
- The Best Film Award went to French co-directors Maxime Bénéteau and Fabien Lasserre, in collaboration with France TV, for “A Baptism of Le Mans,” chronicling three passionate motorsport enthusiasts.
- The Garland of Honor was awarded to the Qatar Olympic and Sports for the documentary “From here to anywhere,” which depicts all the organization Qatar provided for the FIFA World Cup.
- The last prize was given to the Alpes-Maritimes Departmental Council for the Garland of Honor with the documentary “Outdoor Odyssey,” highlighting the many sports practiced in the nature of the Alpes-Maritimes.
