Locarno: Golden Leopard for Fernand Melgar - Numerous awards for Swiss short films
17.08.2008
Fernand Melgar, the 47-year-old director from Lausanne, was honoured with the Golden Leopard in the Filmmakers of the Present category for his documentary film “La Forteresse” in Locarno on August 16, 2008. The prize amounts to CHF 30,000. The Golden Leopard for Best Swiss Short Film, amounting to CHF 10,000, went to the film “La délogeuse” by Julien Rouyet.
The film “Un dia y nada” by Lorenz Merz won the Silver Leopard, amounting to CHF 6,000 of film material, while Richard Szotyori’s short film “Au café romand” was presented the “Action Light Prize” for Best Swiss Newcomer, amounting to CHF 40,000 of film technical services. Szotyori’s film was also honoured with the “Cinema e gioventù” prize, amounting to CHF 1,500.
In his film “La Forteresse”, Fernand Melgar depicts the daily sorting process at a reception centre for asylum-seekers in Vallorbe at the French border. Following their journey to Switzerland, which is often taken at the risk of their lives, 200 men, women and children wait until the government decides their fate.
Zurich, August 17, 2008
In his film “La Forteresse”, Fernand Melgar depicts the daily sorting process at a reception centre for asylum-seekers in Vallorbe at the French border. Following their journey to Switzerland, which is often taken at the risk of their lives, 200 men, women and children wait until the government decides their fate.
Zurich, August 17, 2008