After ten exciting days of the Berlinale, filled with spectacular and creative queer films, the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. The anticipation of the jury’s decision is over. Once again, awards will be given in categories such as Best Feature Film, Best Documentary/Essay Film, Best Short Film as well as the Special TEDDY AWARD for lifetime artistic achievement, recognizing outstanding individuals.
And now, the wait is over. The jury of the 39th TEDDY AWARD has made its selections, and the winners are in. Drum roll, please…
The TEDDY AWARDS go to…
Best Feature Film
Lesbian Space Princess
Director: Leela Varghese, Emma Hough Hobbs
The introverted space princess Saira is forced to leave her home planet of Clitopolis on an inter-gay-lactic mission to save her ex-girlfriend who has been kidnapped and is being held ransom by the Straight White Maliens.
Nominees
Drømmer (Dreams (Sex Love))
by Dag Johan Haugerud
Johanne’s intimate writings about her crush on her teacher ignite both tension and self-reflection within her family, as her mother and grandmother confront their own unfulfilled dreams and desires.
Peter Hujar’s Day
by Ira Sachs
A 1974 conversation between photographer Peter Hujar and his friend Linda Rosenkrantz provides a glimpse into the New York downtown art scene of the time and the personal struggles and epiphanies that define an artist’s life.
Best Documentary/Essay Film
Satanische Sau (Satanic Sow)
Director: Rosa von Praunheim
Rosa von Praunheim is the satanic sow, incarnated by the wanton actor Armin Dallapiccola. A poetic compendium of life and death with pushy fans, the Good Lord, lovers and Rosa’s horrified mother.
Nominees
Monk in Pieces
by Billy Shebar
Visionary composer and performer Meredith Monk overcame hostile critics to become one of the great artists of her time. In her seventh decade of creativity, she ponders how her unique work can continue without her.
Queer as Punk
by Yihwen Chen
Being LGBT is criminalised in Muslim-majority Malaysia. Trans man Faris and his punk band still travel the country playing gigs and protesting on the streets. A documentary portrait of courageous people, humorous friendship and the spirit of punk.
Sirens Call
by Miri Ian Gossing and Lina Sieckmann
In this feature-length debut, nomadic siren Una journeys through postmodern reality, navigating survival, identity and belonging. A dive into the merfolk subculture between self-care and political activism, a hybrid of science fiction and documentary.
Best Short Film
Lloyd Wong, Unfinished
Director: Lesley Loksi Chan
In the 1990s, Chinese-Canadian artist Lloyd Wong began a video work about his living with HIV. It remained unfinished. Thirty years after his death, filmmaker Lesley Loksi Chan discovers and edits the material.
Nominees
Once Again…(Statues Never Die)
by Isaac Julien
This film explores the storied relationship between Dr. Albert C. Barnes, an early US collector and exhibitor of African cultural artefacts, and the renowned philosopher and cultural critic Alain Locke, known as the “Father of the Harlem Renaissance”.
STARS
by STARS Collective
STARS tells of the Nommo: extra-terrestrial Afro-hermaphrodite anthro-amphibian migrants. Delivered from outer space via the Dogon of Mali, STARS is a queer African tale of tails, told through animation, music, and poetry.
TEDDY Jury Award
Wenn du Angst hast nimmst du dein Herz in den Mund und lächelst (If You Are Afraid You Put Your Heart into Your Mouth and Smile)
Director: Marie Luise Lehner
Anna, 12, lives with her deaf mother in a loving bond, yet under humble conditions that are a source of social shame, when she begins high school. Staying close to its heroines, this refreshing debut blends solidarity, feminism and tons of melodies.
Special TEDDY AWARD
Todd Haynes
Congratulations to this year’s winners! Thank you to all directors, filmmakers, actors and sponsors for being part of the 39th edition of the TEDDY AWARD.