Awards

"We want to give a special mention to Child of Dust. This intimate and moving film follows Sang, the son of a Vietnamese woman and an American soldier, in his search for his American father and their troubled reunification. It is a beautifully shot cinèma vèritè portrait that tells a universal story about the generational consequences of war and the longing for paternal love."

"The jury awards this documentary as it addresses a topic largely unknown to the general public, showing the long-term effects of the Vietnam War. The film does not focus only on the physical damage of war in a country, but also on the psychological pain that people still experience today."

"The film demonstrates the inseparable dimensions of politics and human life. Beyond the immediate narrative, it explores the essence of humanity and society, illustrating how a sequence of subtle conditions can exert a profound impact on an individual's identity and place in the world. Although the plot appears straightforward, the underlying narrative presents complex, open-ended questions that defy simple conclusions."

"For the quiet power with which the film reveals a deeply personal tragedy and for its ability to convey the unspoken truths that linger beneath the surface."

"The film expresses disturbing aspects of reality in an original, convincing, and sensitive way. Weronika Mliczewska approaches her protagonist Sang with great intimacy and creates a haunting, moving portrait of fundamental questions about belonging and home. The film sensitively portrays the getting-to-know-you between father and son - a rapprochement that also reflects the once-hostile countries of Vietnam and America. The film vividly shows that the wounds of war have not yet healed, that traumas and crimes have not been processed, and yet allows hope to emerge that love can grow."

"For a film that tells an important and profoundly moving story of a search for connection—one that enables the redefinition of personal identity. Through its assured narrative approach and accomplished dramaturgical construction, we are invited to share Sang's experience and accompany him on his difficult journey toward self-understanding. This film is a powerful reminder of the unique strength of documentary cinema and its capacity to bring forth and amplify the stories of those whose voices are too often unheard and whose lives remain unseen. We thank the director for her sensitivity in recognizing this story and for guiding it with clarity and purpose through every stage of the creative process, from development to the final edit."