Romanian student Tudor Cristian Jurgiu’s In the Fishbowl (In Acvariu) short film was awarded the Cinefondation’s third prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film tells the story of George and Christina, two young people who are trying very hard to break up, but they just don't seem to succeed.

The joint third prize went to the short film Pandas directed by Matus Vizar from the Czech Republic.

Needle, directed by US film student Anahita Ghazvinizadeh was awarded the first place prize in the Cinefondation selection, while the second prize was taken by Belgium’s Sarah Hirtt for Waiting for the Thaw.

The Cinefondation selection comprised 18 student films chosen out of nearly 1,550 entries coming from 277 film schools around the world.

Romanian film director and scriptwriter Cristian Mungiu was elected jury member at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Mungiu, 45, is no stranger to the Cannes Film Festival. In 2007, his film 4 months, 3 weeks and 2 days (4 luni, 3 saptamani si 2 zile) won him the prestigious Palme D’Or, while last year, his latest film Beyond the Hills (Dupa Dealuri) got the Award for Best Screenplay. Also, Romanian actresses Cristina Flutur and Cosmina Stratan shared the best actress award for their parts as Alina and Voichița in the film

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: cinemagia.ro)