CINEMA - AWARDS INTERFAITH DIALOGUE

First SIGNIS Awards at Interfaith Festival Religion Today 2008
Rome, October 28, 2008 (SIGNIS) - The 11th edition of Religion Today marked the first participation of a SIGNIS Jury at the interfaith festival. The SIGNIS Prize was awarded to Gianluigi Calderone of Italy for the film Don Zeno.
"In the conflicting social and political context of the 30’s, Don Zeno portrays a passionate young man from the Catholic Action who dedicates his life to the poorest in the most radical ways of the gospel. A film with a story and characters that sustain the drama with a strong meaning for today television audience."
A SIGNIS Commendation was given to Goodbye Mothers by Mohamed Ismail (Morocco).
"In Morocco in the 60’s, long time friends and neighbours of different religions cope with political exclusion. The script weaves individual family stories with a moving interpretation of their tragic destiny."
In the short films section, the SIGNIS award went to Seasons of Love directed by Father Jiji Kalavanal.
" In Seasons of Love , a group of students responds to the rejection of one of them suffering from AIDS, both by parents and society. A gripping professional film by a college student with promising talent."
The SIGNIS Jury was composed of Paul Cheruthottupuram (Italy, India), Kamal Correya (Bangladesh) and Magali Van Reeth (France).
Since 1997 Religion Today has been the first itinerant festival dedicated to dialogue between cinema and religions. This year, the festival collaborated with the Salesian Pontifical University to organize three days of screenings and meetings on the theme "Cinema, Religion and Peace" to discuss how cinema can contribute to peace.
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