ANI
14 Jun 2026, 23:29 GMT+10
Washington DC [US], June 14 (ANI): Filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev claimed the Sydney Film Prize for 'Minotaur,' his thriller set against the backdrop of contemporary Russia, at the 73rd Sydney Film Festival, reported Variety.
The 42,200 USD prize was awarded for work which was determined by an international jury led by Brazilian director Kleber Mendonca Filho, joined by Hungarian filmmaker Ildiko Enyedi, Singaporean director Boo Junfeng, Australian cinematographer Ari Wegner and Australian First Nations producer-director Sally Riley.
According to the outlet, 'Minotaur' had previously won the Grand Prix at Cannes earlier this year. Accepting the Sydney prize in person, his first visit to Australia in more than a decade, Zvyagintsev addressed the ceremony with remarks that underscored the film's stakes for audiences inside Russia.
'I would like to thank the jury for this decision, because this film means a lot to people who are struggling at the moment in Russia,' he said. 'The Russian language is struggling. This film is very important to them,' as quoted by Variety.
In their joint statement, the jury described 'Minotaur' as a work that tackles the abuse of power in a register that felt 'strongly Hitchcockian, strongly cinematic', a chronicle of contemporary Russia that they said addressed a subject that, unfortunately, never goes out of style.
Zvyagintsev had also participated in a Masterclass during the festival ahead of his win.
The announcement preceded the Australian premiere of James Gray's thriller 'Paper Tiger,' the closing-night screening.
The Sydney Film Prize competition is endorsed by FIAPF. Previous winners include 'It Was Just an Accident' (2025) and 'There's Still Tomorrow' (2024).
WINNERS
Sydney Film Prize'Minotaur,' dir. Andrey Zvyagintsev
Sustainable Future Award'Sukundimi Walks Before Me,' directed by Mataslia Freshwater and Lachlan McLeod
First Nations Award (supported by Truant Pictures)'Ceremony,' directed Banchi Hanuse
Documentary Australia Award'Time and Tide,' directed by Vee Shi
Sydney-UNESCO City of Film AwardFadia Abboud (writer/director)
Dendy Live Action Short Award'MaNGutji (Catching Eyes),' directed by Siena Mayutu Wumarri Stubbs
Yoram Gross Animation Award'Our Choir Has Always Been Travelling,' directed by Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Marjorie 'Nunga' Williams and Nelson Armstrong
Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Australian DirectorCristabel Sved, 'Date 3'
AFTRS Craft Award for Best PractitionerAngelina Kovacs and Sophie Ravant (production designers), 'Flesh Fruit'
Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award for Screenwriting
Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Marjorie 'Nunga' Williams and Nelson Armstrong, 'Our Choir Has Always Been Travelling'
The Sydney Film Festival ran from June 3 to June 14, 2026. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationDUBAI/WASHINGTON: Iran said on June 13 that it could sign a basic peace agreement with the United States in the next few days, but...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Sam Bankman-Fried has lost his appeal against his fraud conviction and 25-year prison sentence stemming from...
DUBAI/WASHINGTON/PARIS: Leaked details of a proposed agreement to end the war in the Gulf, shared by Western, Pakistani, and Iranian...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The World Bank has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026, warning that a prolonged disruption to energy supplies...
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Saudi Arabia lifted a five-year ban on Lebanese imports, signaling a further improvement in relations between Lebanon...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after SpaceX completed a record-breaking US$75 billion...
DUBAI/WASHINGTON/PARIS: Leaked details of a proposed agreement to end the war in the Gulf, shared by Western, Pakistani, and Iranian...
(Photo credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images) Logan Webb might need to finish what he starts Sunday afternoon when the San Francisco...
(Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) The Philadelphia Phillies have lived two very different lives in their first two...
(Photo credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images) Zack Gelof is on a hot streak for the surging Athletics, and he and his teammates will try...
(Photo credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images) J.T. Realmuto homered and drove in four runs as the Philadelphia Phillies held on for a 9-8...
(Photo credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images) The Athletics are making themselves at home in Las Vegas and will look to stretch their...
