A prologue flows from the bowels of the earth like red-hot lava alternating with scenes of a remote volcanic island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Three women in their thirties from different backgrounds are forced to come to terms with their doubts. Thoughts and feelings unravel in a jumble: becoming a mother, the meaning of family, regular afternoon drinking, and the proximity of death.

Sardine is director Johanna Caraire’s first film. Born in Bordeaux, she skillfully captures the frustration, yearning and anxiety of a generation as she probes and analyses her characters. After studying performing art, history, and communication Caraire worked with audio-visual production in Paris. She was one of the founders of the Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival in 2012 where she now works as artistic director. 

Jury statement: The jury’s special mention goes to a bright voice that treats womanhood and friendship with authentic, delicate gentleness. The skillful directing is supported by truly exquisite acting performances and characters that draw us into a world that might be clumsy and imperfect, but is above all tolerant and accepting – a world that we all want to be in – as three strong women with different values and ideas about life are able to live together and support one another. The jury’s special mention in the International Short Film Competition goes to Sardine by Johanna Caraire.