The Ecumenical Jury Celebrates its 40th Anniversary !
From 1968 to 1974, two different Christian juries are present at the Cannes Festival.
They know each other, give their prizes together during a common ceremony, and have
very similar criteria. As a wind of ecumenism blows in France, they decide, in agreement
with festival President Robert FABRE LEBRET, to create an Ecumenical Jury in 1974.
The first award ceremony is held at the Carlton Hotel, in the studios of Radio Télé
Luxembourg.
A great journey had begun. It continued and flourished under the presidency of Pierre
VIOT and Gilles JACOB, thanks to the work of the Jury coordinators until the 2000s,
Robert MOLHANT and Maurice TERRAIL.
The Ecumenical Jury is composed by 6 jurors, renewed each year and nominated by
SIGNIS (formerly OCIC), the World Catholic Association for Communication and
INTERFILM, the International Interchurch Film Organization.
These jurors coming from different countries and cultures are dedicated Christians
working in cinema as journalists, theologians, teachers… The Jury is completely
independent in his choices. In 40 years, they have awarded 42 Prizes and 51 Commendations to films from 33 countries.
The Ecumenical Jury has a particular perspective on the films. It honours works of
artistic quality and of human and Christian values which touch the spiritual dimension
of our existence. Beyond the words and images, the Jury offers an encounter, a step in
the direction of the other: a neighbour or an unknown stranger, a human being with
his joys, wounds and hopes. Sometimes the Jury surprises, disturbs or questions our
certainties, prejudices, faith or engagement, but it always calls for openness to cultural,
social or religious diversity.
The Ecumenical Jury coordinators,
Jos HOREMANS
SIGNIS International Representative
for Cinema
Pasteur Denyse MULLER
Vice-President of INTERFILM
President of INTERFILM France