The 36th World Challenge of the International Federation of Sports Cinema, a member of the International Olympic Committee, awarded prizes to the directors and producers of the winning films of the 2018 edition during a packed evening event at the Auditorium of the Regional Council of Lombardy – more than 500 people – with many civil and sports authorities in attendance, including Hon. Giancarlo Giorgetti, State Secretary for Sports Policy at the Council of Ministers, and the Governor of the Lombardy Region, Attilio Fontana.
Delegates from many countries listened to the video message addressed to them by the IOC president, Thomas Bach.
The delegation from the Côte d’Azur, representing the organizing committee of the Côte d’Azur Sport Film Festival, in its third edition held from May 28 to 31, comprised Renato Tullio Ferrari, FICTS delegate for France, Philippe Manassero, president of the French Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee, Bernard Maccario, president of PACA Creps, and Jean-Gérard Guarino, vice-president of the departmental Panathlon. The latter two were members of the jury for the Côte d’Azur edition.
The commitment of the Côte d’Azur team and the quality of the selected films received a more than unexpected response during the announcement of the “winners of winners” – the finalists being the winners of the 16 international festivals. Three films awarded on May 31 at the National Museum of Sport were proclaimed among those who stood on the podium.
The president of Olympic Antibes Juan Les Pins Basket, Jean-Marc Casabo, received the Honor Garland for the film Semper Vivens-Still Alive, winner in the category “Documentary – Team Sport”.
The Brazilian Valsa do Pódio (The Podium Waltz) – sport & disability – and the Dalmatian Ultra Trail – TV shows and sport adv – received an honorable mention.
Furthermore, Ms. Irina Brook, director of the TNN, was honored with the FICTS Diamond for the short film “Shake on Foot”.
Philippe Manassero, president of CDOS 06, commented, “Thanks to this beautifully made documentary by Sophie Jeanroy, we better understand today that the great war 14/18 also brought sports and basketball in particular to Antibes, as a resting base for wounded American soldiers. This film leaves a mark and especially answers why such a small city is known thanks to its basketball team and jazz festival!”.
We asked Bernard Maccario, spokesperson for the jury during the award ceremony on May 31 at the National Museum of Sport, to remind us of the subjects of the winner films from the Côte d’Azur Festival and awarded at the World Challenge in Milan on Monday.
SEMPER VIVENS – STILL ALIVE
Since the end of World War I, basketball has settled in the city of Antibes. It has never left, and under its successive names, the club representing it boasts one of the most decorated records in French basketball. This long history is retraced in the film through the personalities of the players, coaches, and managers who ensured the club’s renewal and successive renaissances.
BRAZIL THE PODIUM WALTZ
London 1912. She dances, triumphant, at the finish line of the stadium. She expresses all the sensuality of Brazil through her movements and colorful adornments.
One of these adornments covers her eyes, without altering a communicative happiness. She dances, but not alone, with her partner. The one who helped her win the gold medal in the 100 meters at the 1912 Paralympic Games. When the beauty of the image reinforces the power of emotion.
DALMATIA ULTRA TRAIL
Or running in the service of discovering a (too) little-known heritage. Following the stride of the athlete and the talent of the filmmaker, we are taken on a journey through time and space. The rugged landscapes of the Adriatic coast unfold, interspersed with evocative reminders of the rich history of this area.
