GOLDEN APPLE
The central part of KRAFFT is dedicated to the competition programme, screening nine films that have been selected based on outstanding acting achievements.
Films in KRAFFT competition programme are judged by a three-member international jury which on the final day of the festival awards five special acting prizes, called Golden Apples.
KRAFFT presents the Golden Apple awards in three categories: the Grand Prix Golden Apple,Special Acting Achievement Golden Apples and an honorary Golden Apple.
The Grand Prix Golden Apple is awarded to the best main role (regardless of gender) or an outstanding artistic achievement.
The three Golden Apples for Special Acting Achievement are awarded to actors or to an ensemble who have exhibited especially careful curation of a visible, distinguished and skilfully executed outstanding acting achievement regardless of the size of the role.
The honorary Golden Apple goes to the honorary guest of the festival – an actor whose rich and versatile opus and outstanding work and artistic achievements have visibly shaped and formed the global film and cultural stage.
The name of the prizes comes from a plant Lilium carniolicum, known also as golden apple or Carniolan lily, which grows all over Slovenia. Golden apples, which are a wonderful decoration to parts where they are found, are protected and enlisted on Slovenia’s red list of endangered plants.
Winners 2022
The Grand Prix Golden Apple: an ensemble award – Birgir Dagur Bjarkason, Askell Einar Palmason, Viktor Benony Benediktsson, Snorri Rafn Frimannsson; Beautiful Beings (Beautiful Beings)
The Grand Prix Golden Apple Award is awarded to the main cast of Beautiful Beings directed by Guðmundur Arnar Guðmundsson.
The presence of the young actors on camera is so incredibly alive it strikes the audience into the story from the first frame like a bolt of lightning and doesn't let them breathe until the end of the film. The acting of the cast is delivered in a way that every big movie star can only dream of. The talent of an acting ensemble of this kind deserves an opportunity to pursue acting studies and continue their promising careers.
Photo: Maša Pirc/Krafft Festival
The Golden Apple for Special Acting Achievements – Best Actor: Radoš Bolčina (Inventory)
A role, deconstructed down to the finest details, reflects a whole palette of emotions and moods; from childlike curiosity, doubts, fear, anger, anxiety and relief. He is in a continuous state of surprise, and slight naivete, throughout the whole film. The acting is administered just right, and done to a turn, building the strongest possible foundation for the film’s genre.
Photo: Maša Pirc/Krafft Festival
The Golden Apple for Special Acting Achievements – Best Actress: Pantea Panahiha (Hit the road)
Our best actress award goes to Pantea Panahiha for her multilayered performance that pays homage not only to mothers in families, but to all women – true pillars – in society. Pantea is gracefully able to dissimulate, yet carry within her pains and worries throughout the entire film, showing optimism and humour, maternity and straightforwardness, along with care and concern with the entire family’s unpredictable destiny. She surprises us with a breakthrough of emotion – which alone would be worth the prize – revealing both her power as an actress and as a human being, while singing her pain of loss and the necessity to carry on, revealing pure gratitude for being alive.
Photo: Maša Pirc/Krafft Festival