'Hashmatsa' (Defamation) Israel / Austria / Denmark / USA
Produced by Knut Ogris, Karoline Leth, Sandra Itkoff and Philippa Kowarsky



What is anti-Semitism today, two generations after the Holocaust? In his continuing exploration of modern Israeli life, director Yoav Shamir, travels the world in search of the most modern manifestations of the “oldest hatred“, and comes up with some startling answers. In his irreverent and deeply personal quest, Shamir follows American Jewish leaders to the capitals of Europe, as they warn government officials of the growing threat of anti-Semitism, and he joins a class of Israeli high school students on a pilgrimage to Auschwitz. Opinions often differ and tempers sometimes flare, but in Defamation we find that one thing is certain - only by understanding their response to anti-Semitism can we really appreciate how Jewish people today, and especially modern Israelis, respond to the world around them, in New York and in Moscow, in Gaza and Tel Aviv.

HIGH COMMENDATION in Documentary Feature Film: Gandhi's Children
Produced by David MacDougall



A shelter for children on the outskirts of Delhi provides food and accommodation for 350 boys. Some are orphans, others have been abandoned, still others have run away from home. About half are juvenile detainees, having been picked up from the streets for petty crimes. Living at the institution for several months, the filmmaker explores its routines and the experiences of several boys. Despite the harshness of their lives, many show remarkable strength of character, knowledge, and resilience. One day, 181 child labourers arrive, placing additional strain on the building’s deteriorating facilities. The institution does what it can, but is it enough?