Daniel Shgaib Budnov’s ‘Escape from the Sun’ Wins Top Israeli Student Film Award
The International Student Film Festival concluded last night after a week of screenings and events, marking its 40th anniversary. The festival announced winners across various categories, celebrating emerging talent in student filmmaking.
The top Israeli film award, sponsored by the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality, went to "Escape from the Sun," written and directed by Daniel Shgaib Budnov from Tel Aviv University’s Steve Tisch School of Film and Television. The jury praised the film as an "achievement," highlighting its complete cinematic experience, complex relationships, and excellent acting.
Other notable Israeli winners included Gidi Herman, who received the Yehav Winner Award for Promising Director for "Water Well," and Ella Shaul, awarded Best Screenplay for "To Rest." Adir Boker won Best Cinematography for "Mother Base," and Gil Feld earned Best Editing for "That’s How Fish Are." Nadav Edar received a special mention for Best Actor for his role in "Hedgehog King," while the Audience Favorite Award went to "Full Belly."
In the international competition, the German film "Engine of Love," directed by Mira-Belle Rose Breild, won Best Film. The jury commended its script, direction, and casting for creating a complete, funny, original, and deeply moving experience. The Promising Director Award went to Jonas Schlosser for the German film "Trance."
Additional winners included Maayan Balach’s "Last Chaltura" for Best Independent Short Film, Bar Cohen’s "Lens" for Best Direction, "Something with Yoav" for Video and Experimental Cinema, "For the Interior Ministry" for Digital Media and Artificial Intelligence, and "The Amazing Kittsubers" for Best AI Film. In the music video category, Tamir Feingold’s "Changes" won, and the international panorama’s audience favorite was "Eyal the Crazy’s Dream Show."
Festival directors Oshrit Biton and Daniel Gat expressed their excitement over the festival’s milestone year, noting the exceptional energy in the theaters and the presence of dozens of international students and creators. They said, "We leave this week with hearts full of inspiration and hope."
