"The contest made an excellent impression on me," the maestro said to Novosti.
"It took long coaxing to get me leading the jury - the prospect to judge 235 films frightened me. But the more I saw the more I got interested. Many films would qualify for any festival. Young moviemakers are imaginative, of good taste, and endowed with interesting ideas and fine professional qualities. Russian filmland has a remarkable young generation." "Love", Alexander Lomakin, director, won Grand Prix for features. "Door", Vladimir Kott, director, and "Vacuum", Yevgeny Semyonov, come second and third.
Documentaries were also competing for three prizes. "The Transformer", by Pavel Kostomarov and Antoine Cattine, won gold; Damian Wojciechowski's "Forgive Me, Sergei!" silver, and Vladimir Moss' "Paradise" bronze.
Cartoons were not so interesting, and fewer films were contesting than in the other nominations, says prominent cartoon-maker Natalia Dabizha of the jury. Grand Prix was not awarded there at all.
"Lyuliaki", Natalia Antipova and Veronika Fedorova, directors, came second, and Alexander Uvarov's "Flying Off in Fall" third.
