DocNomads film awarded in Greece
Aylin Gökmen´s graduation film SPIRITS AND ROCKS: AN AZOREAN MYTH won the Student Grand Prix at the 44th Drama International Short Film Festival, "for its haunting yet intimate evocation of loss that pushes the boundaries of the documentary form".
The film has also been presented lately in Telluride Film Festival (USA), Beldocs Film Festival (Serbia), Camden Film Fest and POW Film Fest (USA).

By Aylin Gökmen • 14' • Portugal, Switzerland
Synopsis:
On a volcanic island, inhabitants are caught in an unending cycle: the threat of impending eruptions and earthquakes, and the burden of past traumas loom over them.
Some draw upon myth and religious beliefs to interpret their precarious situation, while others demonstrate resilience, rebuilding their villages from the volcanic rocks.
Mirroring the ethereal atmosphere of the island’s landscapes, the film gradually takes on the appearance of the stories it recounts.
Trailer here.
Previously presented in:
- Locarno Film Festival / Switzerland
- Sundance Film Festival / USA
- Go Short Int. Short Film Festival / Netherlands
- Vilnius International Film Festival / Lithuania
- True/False Film Festival / USA
- Trento Film Festival / Italy
- Melbourne International Film Festival / Australia
- Kyiv Int. Film Festival "Molodist" / Ukraine
- Moscow Int. Documentary Festival DOKer / Russia
- Boston Short Film Festival / USA
- Dokufest / Kosovo
- Rhode Island International Film Festival / USA
- Akbank Short Film Festival / Turkey
- Solothurner Filmtage / Switzerland
- Festival International du Film d’Aubagne / France
- Ashland Independent Film Festival / USA