Czech, French films awarded top honors at the Jihlava documentary film festival

Jihlava, South Moravia, Oct 29 (ČTK) - The 26th Ji.hlava IDFF has announced its winners. The festival presented awards on Saturday night. The award for the most notable international documentary film as well as best cinematography went to "07:15 – Blackbird" by French director and producer Judith Auffray, and the best Czech documentary is "Kapr Code" by Lucie Králová.

Jurors of the "Testimonies" section also gave a nod to "Into the Weeds: Dewayne 'Lee' Johnson vs Monsanto Company" by Canadian director Jennifer Baichwal. The award for original approach went to Spanish director Javier Codesal for his film "Greater Gospel." The Contribution to World Cinema award was given to director Dušan Hanák.

Králová's film succeeded among 21 films in the "Czech Joy" category, and the French film in the "Opus Bonum" category, in which 16 documentaries from all over the world competed.

Once again this year, the festival award was created by Czech-Argentinian artist Federico Diaz who rendered 3D sculpture by materializing sound recordings.

Slovak filmmaker Hanak, 84, a significant name in the Czechoslovak New Film Wave genre of the 1960s, received the award for his lifelong contribution to world cinematography.

In her 30-minute documentary, which also won the best photography award, Auffray focused on birdsong, calling for people to really listen to it and ponder the magic hidden in this simple sound.

The awarded film is part of a research project she intends to continue. She said the award will offer great support for her future path.

"Kapr Code" is dedicated to Czech music composer Jan Kapr (1914–1988). The film utilizes his compositions as well as amateur film shots. The film has been in production for five years, Králová said, adding that she hoped she would manage to release it in cinemas.

Králová was awarded at the festival twice in the past: in 2003 for her "Ill-fated Child," and two years later for her film "Sold."

The festival, which closed on Sunday, offered 376 films in ten non-competition sections and seven competition ones. Along with juries, viewers could vote for their favorite film. This year Jana Poctova's "Happily Ever After" took home the viewer's choice, mapping alternative partner relationships.

After the festival ends, organizers said that 140 of its documentaries will be available to stream online until Nov. 13. See a complete list of winners here.