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Nine international documentary films and one judge. That’s the unique competition format for Opus Bonum, the section dedicated to international documentary titles at Ji.hlava Intl. Documentary Film Festival (Oct. 24-29).

Films from France, the U.K., Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, India, Madagascar, Egypt and Palestine play in the competition section, and the winner will be chosen by famed Romanian director Cristi Puiu. Known as the father of the Romanian New Wave, Puiu’s credits include 2005’s Cannes Un Certain Regard prize winner “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu.”

Launched in 2006, the format for Opus Bonum was conceived as a way of countering the compromises that are inherent in the functioning of traditional film festival juries. “We ask one really significant cinematic person to decide which is the best film – it is a really personal choice,” says festival director Marek Hovorka.

He explains that Puiu was selected as...

The 8th Zurich Film Festival winners were announced Saturday, September 29, during a crowded awards ceremony held at Zurich's Opera House. "Breaking Horizons," directed by Pola Beck, won the Golden Eye Award for German language feature film; "Der Prozess," directed by Gerald Igor Haezenberger, took the Golden Eye in German language documentary; Rufus Norris' "Broken" won for best international feature film; and Bart Layton's "The Imposter" took the Golden Eye for international documentary film. "Appasionista," a documentary by Christian Labhart, won the audience award, while the drama "El Ultimo Elvis," by Armando Bo, is the festival's critic's winner. The ceremony also honored Richard Gere, who took home the Zff's Golden Icon award; John Travolta and Helen Hunt, who were given Golden Eye awards; Jerry Weintraub, who was honored with a career achievement award; and German filmmaker Tom...