2013 Rotterdam International Film Festival Award Winners

After twelve exciting days, the 42nd edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam concluded this weekend. Awards were handed out for the festival's centerpiece Hivos Tiger Awards Competition in a ceremony held Friday, February 1 at the famed de Doelen concert hall in downtown Rotterdam.

The five member jury included: Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei, who participated via Skype because he was not allowed to leave his country; Spaniard José Luis Cienfuegos, the artistic director of the Sevilla European Film Festival; Dutch film director Kees Hin; Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa; and banned Iranian actress Fatemeh Motamedarya.

Directors: Mohammad Shirvani, Mira Fornayová, Daniel Hoesl

2013 Hivos Tiger Award €15,000 Prize

• Fat Shaker
  Iran
  directed by Mohammad Shirvani (Second Feature Film)
  The fascinating story of a fat father who tries to con money from women
• My Dog Killer
  Slovakia Czech Republic
  directed by Mira Fornayová (Second Feature Film)
  An unflinching study of a trouble teen in small-town Slovakia
• Soldier Jane
  Austria
  directed by Daniel Hoesl (Debut Feature Film)
  A provocative portrait of two women from vastly different backgrounds

UPC Audience Award

• Matterhorn
  Netherlands
  directed by Diederik Ebbinge (Debut Feature Film)
  The tragicomical story of a widower who leads a lonely life.

Dioraphte Award

• Wadjda
  Saudi Arabia Germany
  directed by Haifaa Al Mansour (Debut Feature Film)
  The tale of a young Saudi Arabian girl who dreams of having a green bicycle.

Congratulations to all the winners! Another batch of interesting films to look out for in the coming months.