Afghan film wins Directors’ Fortnight

Accolade for docudrama Wolf And Sheep.

by Richard Mowe

Wolf and Sheep follows a group of children who work as shepherds
Wolf and Sheep follows a group of children who work as shepherds Photo: Courtesy of Directors' Fortnight
Shahrbanoo Sadat's documentary drama Wolf And Sheep has scooped the top prize in the Cannes Film Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight selection. The prizes were announced yesterday evening (May 20).

The Afghanistan village where the director Sadat grew up and follows a group of young children who work as shepherds. It was universally praised for its mix of ethnography and fantasy.

Sólveig Aspach’s The Together Project (L’Effet acquatique), a comedy from the French-Icelandic director was awarded the SACD prize. It’s about a man who pretends he is unable to swim so that he can hook up with the lifeguard with whom he has become besotted.

Toki Pilioko plays a rugby player who journeys to France to being a professional rugby 
 career in Mercenaire
Toki Pilioko plays a rugby player who journeys to France to being a professional rugby career in Mercenaire Photo: Courtesy of Directors' Fortnight

The Europa Cinemas award, which aims to promote European films through its network, was given to Mercenaire, directed by Sacha Wolff, about Soane (Toki Pilioko), originally from the other side of the world, born in Wallis and Futuna (a French overseas territory, located somewhere between New Caledonia and Tahiti) who journeys from the antipodes to start his professional rugby union career in mainland France.

The Illy prize for best short film went to Chasse Royale, directed by Lise Akoka and Romane Gueret. A special mention was made for The Beast (Zvir), directed by Miroslav Sikavica.

Cannes Film Festival’s main competition awards including the Palme d’Or winner will be announced tomorrow evening (May 22) at a glittering awards ceremony in the Grande Théâtre Lumière.

Share this with others on...
News

The changing light Yoon Dan-bi on music, sound, Moving On and The World Before

Flipping the script Ghasideh Golmakani on using absurdist comedy to tackle misogyny in Head To Head

Spotlight on forgotten history Miwa Nishikawa on telling the story of post-war street orphans in Children Untold

A compulsion for cinema Thomas Bond on the secret of being a producer, the value of flaws, and Imposters

Streaming spotlight: off with their heads! Hold onto your noggin as we reflect on characters who have lost theirs entirely

More news and features

We're bringing you all the latest news and reviews from the Toronto International Film Festival.



We're looking forward to Fantastic Fest, San Sebastian and Beyond Fest.



We've recently brought you coverage of the Venice Film Festival, Frightfest, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, the Fantasia International Film Festival, the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the Muslim International Film Festival and Docs Ireland.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

Don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.


It's a busy time for festivals and here's the latest:


Venice announces winners


LFF Full programme announced


Venice Giornate degli Autori awards announce


Festival Scope Venice Sala Web offers chance to stream shorts for free


San Sebastian Naomi Watts to receive Donostia Award