| Diagonale Awards by VAM |
| for Outstanding Production Services |

Ruth Beckermann Filmproduktion | Produzentin Ruth Beckermann
forFavoriten

Exceprt Jury Statement:
With Favoriten, Ruth Beckermann has created a documentary that offers a fascinating and empathetic glimpse into the everyday life of a primary school class in the Viennese district of Favoriten. Over the course of two years, the camera unobtrusively and on equal terms follows an exceptionally dedicated teacher and her diverse group of students. (…) Ruth Beckermann has been identifying significant themes for her documentaries for many years, portraying people in their complexity and within their socio-political and cultural context. With Favoriten, she has particularly succeeded in this regard. Her outstanding producer’s achievement lies in the fact that she and her team, with great perseverance and sensitivity, built trust with their protagonists and were integrated into the class community. Only this way was it possible to capture the children naturally and without inhibition, and transform the authentic moments of learning and coexistence in this microcosm into a universal story about education, origin, and the future.

and

Freibeuter Film GmbH | Produzent:innen Sabine Moser & Oliver Neumann
for The Village Next to Paradise

Exceprt Jury Statement:
Somali-Austrian director Mo Harawe tells the story of a Somali family in The Village Next to Paradise, who are confronted with the challenges of a country torn by civil war and natural disasters. Harawe blends personal destinies with a universal theme that touches through its authenticity and emotional depth. The film reflects both the harshness of survival and the hope and resilience of the family. (…) Despite financial and logistical challenges, the producers found international partners and funding from Austria, as well as from Germany, France, and Morocco, which made the project possible. Despite difficult production conditions, there was great trust in Mo Harawe’s artistic vision. This courage paid off, as the film received both enthusiastic reviews and numerous awards. These recognitions confirm the high quality of the production and the potential of Austrian cinema. The Village Next to Paradise is an outstanding example of extraordinary filmmaking and a symbol of the diversity and talent of the Austrian film scene.