Synopsis: A little boy has lost his grandmother. The child tries by all means to discover how to go where they have told him that he has gone to heaven. The mother sees that the child investigates and tries to help. What experiences will the child experience? Can you see your grandmother?
The Chaste Flower by Robin Varghese (USA)
Synopsis: A short movie about a young girl named Angelena Lyaka from the Samia tribe in the 1920’s Uganda. She loved God and chose to live a life of faith and adherence to the Ten Commandments. Her devotion to God led her to make the decision to live a chaste life. Although the African polygamist culture placed a value on motherhood, it did not value the moral choice of chastity. She was martyred for resisting the sin of adultery and defending her faith choice to remain chaste for God.
Medjugorje Land of Faith by Pietro Pellizzieri (Italy)
Synopsis: The controversial capital of the faith in the Balkans. It is an objective story between faith and popular belief, it describes places of faith and tells their story.
BEST DOCUMENTARY
I Have a Name by Lucia Mauro (USA)
Synopsis: A sight of the Chicago HELP Initiative (CHI) – founded by Jacqueline C. Hayes – and its partners, who empower those in need through access to meals, health services, shelter, adult education, job training and arts. Those who have experienced job loss, homelessness and other challenges tell their own compelling stories, also in the Covid-19 epidemic context. Featured partnering organizations include Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Assumption Catholic Church and Old St. Patrick’s Church.
Benedict XVI. The Pope Emeritus by Andrés Garrigò (Spain)
Synopsis: The great milestones of Benedict XVI’s life: professor, expert of the Second Vatican Council, collaborator of John Paul II, and his pontificate that ended with an unimaginable surprise: his resignation. His battles for faith and for transparency within the Church provoked criticism and disloyalty. It was a long Way of the Cross that ended with a master lesson of humility giving way to his successor, Francisco, whom he obeyed and never criticized.
Zambia: Preachers of the Road by Marek Skrzecz (Germany)
Synopsis: In the hinterlands of Zambia, the vast distances mean that priests and sisters have to travel several miles across rugged and risky terrain to reach and minister to the faithful. Injury and death are very common. The maintenance of the vehicles needed for their work are a source of constant worry and costs. The film shows the missionary activity of those mechanics – also priests and missionaries – who serve in maintaining the jeeps and boats to enable the word of God to reach the isolated faithful.
BEST FILM
The Devoted by Zsolt Pozsgai (Feature – Hungary)
Synopsis: In the 1536’s Europe, the battle between the Catholic Church and the Reformation is cruel. While the high priests of the Church are burning the followers of Luther, the monarchs of the Reformed faith are claiming revenge by persecuting the Catholics. In this atmosphere, the young Calvin is trying to convert the whole Switzerland through debates, mainly in the churches. The film shows one of them, in which he is faced to a great opponent, Ignatius of Loyola (later the founder of the Jesuits), who wants to renew the Church from inside. Love, treason, faith… is the renewal of the contemporary Europe only possible by war and horror?
The Day of Wrath by Jacek Raginis Królikiewicz (Feature – Poland)
Synopsis: During World War II, Poland is kept under German occupation. A young Jewish refugee, Emanuel Blatt, is asking for help to a monastery. The monks face the most difficult dilemma. An SS squadron-leader comes to this monastery. The film is a full of tension blend of a war thriller and a morality play. Holocaust and hope for survival are the main themes of “The Day of Wrath”.
Friar Damião by Deby Brennand (Documentary – Brasil)
Synopsis: Friar Damião – Saint Missionary is the story of the Italian capuchin who arrived in the Brazilian Northeast in the 1930s and that throughout 66 years became a wanderer in search of the salvation of souls. His process of canonization showed who was Pio Gianotti, this religious who, since childhood, gave himself to God and His designs. Through reconstitutions and testimonials from people touched by his faith, it presents the story of the man behind the Saint; his catechization style, controversies involving politics and conservative sermons, the commotion caused by his departure and reports of miracles that made his fame.
BEST DIRECTOR
Pablo Moreno for Claret (Feature – Spain)
A film about the life of the Spanish Archbishop Claret.
Silvia Košťová for Born for Heaven (Docudrama – Slovakia)
Synopsis: The lives and the martyrdom of three Catholic priests – Marcus Krizin and two Jesuits, Stephen Pongracz and Melchior Grodeczki. All of them gave the most valuable thing they had, their lives for fidelity to the Catholic Church and the Pope, in the background of historical events of the 17th century. The story of the Three Košice Martyrs is a strong story of faith and commitment. In addition to the life of Three Košice Martyrs, the documentary also focuses on their cult, respect for them after death and an explanation of the reasons given by the Catholic Church led to the canonization of priests.
Antonio Olivié for John Paul II is Still Alive (Documentary – Spain)
The canonization of John Paul II has produced more than 15,000 messages of healings or extraordinary events. Two of these cases, involving a mother from Costa Rica and a religious sister from France, have been analyzed by prestigious medical specialists. Their conclusion is clear: There is no scientific explanation for the healings. The documentary analyses these miracles from the protagonists’ perspective and some of the doctors who investigated them. Rome Reports interviews people who knew John Paul II and who claim to have received some special grace through his intercession.
CAPAX DEI FOUNDATION AWARD
Formation by John “JP” Kloess (USA)
It s a feature length documentary film chronicling the experience of fifteen men as they discern and recount their experience of discernment within the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin. This film comprehensively takes the layman through the stages of formation and explains their purpose within the Franciscan movement.