Awards at the 15th Philosophical Film Festival
At the Closing Ceremony of the 15th Philosophical Film Festival, the winners of the “Golden Owl” awards were announced for Best Feature and Best Short Film as selected by the jury, the special recognition “Stefan Sidovski – Sido” for a short film, and the “Golden Owl” plaques for Best Feature and Best Short Film according to the audience votes. <br>
The jury consisted of: Hasan Serdar Gergerlioglu, contributor to the journal Cinephilosophy from Turkey; Kumjana Novakova, Macedonian filmmaker, curator, and lecturer; and Dr. Martín Heredero Campo from the University of Valladolid, Spain. <br>
GOLDEN OWL for Best Feature Film according to the jury of the 15th Philosophical Film Festival: SHAMBHALA by Min Bahadur Bham <br>
GOLDEN OWL for Best Short Film according to the jury of the 15th Philosophical Film Festival: PASTA NEGRA by Jorge Thielen Armand <br>
Special Recognition STEFAN SIDOVSKI – SIDO for a short film: UNDER THE MOUNTAINS’ SHADOW by Diego Salgado <br>
GOLDEN OWL Plaque for Best Feature Film according to the audience of the 15th Philosophical Film Festival: UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE by Matthew Rankin <br>
GOLDEN OWL Plaque for Best Short Film according to the audience of the 15th Philosophical Film Festival: LOOKING I SAID I FORGOT by Naomi Pacific <br>
Below you can read the official decisions: <br>
OSD • OFFICIAL SELECTION – FEATURE FILMS: SHAMBHALA <br>
Shambhala presents a contemplative exploration of the human condition, inspired by Buddhist philosophy and existential thought. The journey portrayed in the film is not merely geographic but profoundly spiritual. The film reflects on suffering not as something to be escaped, but as a transformative path to understanding and peace. Through silence, ritual, and landscape, Shambhala invites us to confront impermanence, responsibility, and the nature of redemption. It weaves a deeply human narrative with striking visual composition, transporting us to a remote region while grounding its story in universally recognizable themes such as grief, redemption, and inner peace. For its artistic integrity, emotional depth, and coherent vision, Shambhala is a worthy recipient of the Best Film Award. <br>
OSC • OFFICIAL SELECTION – SHORT FILMS: PASTA NEGRA <br>
Pasta Negra by Armand is a movingly intimate portrait of emigration, where a simple packet of pasta becomes a profound symbol of survival and sacrifice. What makes Bitter Bread truly exceptional is its ability to transcend the specific context (the collapse of Venezuela) and speak to global crises of migration and scarcity. <br>
SPECIAL RECOGNITION “STEFAN SIDOVSKI – SIDO”: UNDER THE MOUNTAINS’ SHADOW <br>
Under the Mountans’ Shadow (2024) is a meditative short film that delves into themes of isolation, impermanence, and the quiet dominance of nature over human consciousness.
The film uniquely explores youth – whether explicitly or allegorically – deepening existential questions. If youth is present as a figure of hope, its fragility is tragic; if absent, its absence is even more unsettling. The shadow of the mountain either consumes youth or is slowly eroded by it.