The 18. Queer Lion Award – collateral award of the 81st Venice International Film Festival, ideated in 2007 by Daniel N. Casagrande – has been awarded to Alma del Desierto (Soul of the Desert) by Mónica Taboada-Tapia, presented in 21. Giornate degli Autori.
Motivation:
For having addressed – through a powerful cinematic gaze that transcends the documentary genre – the complex issues of gender identity, ethnicity, citizenship and civil rights, blending the quest for increased legitimacy by the Wayuu population with the fight of transgender protagonist Georgina who, through a 45 year long peaceful, dignified and stoic battle, achieved official recognition of her anagraphic identity: Queer Lion Award 2024 to Alma del Desierto (Soul of the Desert) by Mónica Taboada-Tapia.
The jury chose the winner among the following 8 titles:
Queer by Luca Guadagnino (Italy, Usa, 135’)
Kjærlighet (Love) by Dag Johan Haugerud (Norway, 119’)
El Jockey (Kill the Jockey) by Luis Ortega (Argentina, Spain, 96’)
Pooja, Sir by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal, Usa, Norway, 115’)
Diciannove by Giovanni Tortorici (Italy, Uk, 109’)
Alma del Desierto by Mónica Taboada-Tapia (Colombia, Brazil, 87’) documentary
Peaches Goes Bananas by Marie Losier (France, Belgium, 73’) documentary
Paul and Paulette Take a Bath by Jethro Massey (Uk, 109’)
18. Queer Lion will be awarded by a jury composed by members of the Board of Queer Lion Association; Daniel N. Casagrande, journalist and film critic, member of the National Italian Film Critics Association, creator and founder of the award, President of Associazione QL; Marco Busato, contributor for Radio Capodistria; Jani Kuštrin, cultural operator; Adriano Virone, LGBTQ activist.
World sales
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International press office
Eva Herrero
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Queer Lion Award will be handed out during the award ceremony of Giornate degli Autori, today, Friday September 6th, 5PM, at Sala Perla – 81st Venice International Film Festival. Access to the ceremony allowed to public and all accreditations.
At 7PM, at Casa della Critica, headquarters in Lido of International Critics’ Week, the motivation will be read once again and the director will be greeted by members of National Italian Union of Film Critics and the public. Access by invitation.
