Filmmakers from Italy, Brazil and India are among the four directors honored with global filmmaking awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
The honors carry a $10,000 cash prize and are designed to encourage emerging filmmakers from around the world. They are part of a three year partnership between the Sundance Institute and the Indian multi-national Mahindra Group that is now in its third year.
The winning directors and projects are: Sarthak Dasgupta, "The Music Teacher" from India; Jonas Carpignano, "A Chjana" (pictured left) from Italy-US; Aly Muritiba, "The Man Who Killed My Beloved Dead" from Brazil; and Vendela Vida & Eva Weber, "Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name" from UK-Germany-US.
"The Music Teacher" centers on a rural music teacher's encounters with an estranged student; "A Chjana" follows a migrant worker's journey to Italy in search of a better life; "The Man Who Killed My Beloved Dead" chronicles the struggles of a grieving widower; and "Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name" focuses on a young woman's attempts to unravel mysteries about her mother.
The awards were presented at a private ceremony at the indie film festival that is unfolding in Park City, Utah this week.
In addition to the money, the filmmakers get tickets to the festival, mentorship from Institute staff and other professional and creative support.
"We are grateful to the Mahindra Group for building with us, this multifaceted program, which embraces our joint global commitment to nurturing new storytellers and getting their voices out to the widest possible audiences," Sundance Institute President and Founder Robert Redford said in a statement.
