The Festival de Cannes 2023 Alumnis : Flóra Anna Buda, winner of the short film Palme d’or
Flóra Anna BUDA, An PHAM THIEN and Marlene Emilie LYNGSTAD were at the Festival de Cannes last year to present their films. Respectively winners of the Palme d’or for short films, the Caméra d’or and the Premier prix de La Cinef, these three young filmmakers, suddenly thrust into the limelight, saw their careers change as a result of the awards. Ten months on, they look back on their experience, their fondest memories and what the awards have brought to their careers.
27, Flóra Anna BUDA
How did you react when you won your award at the Festival de Cannes?
I was sitting next to my colleague and friend Constance Le Sournarec and I was just looking at her with a possible shock on my face. She was so happy and next to her Khozy Rizal was smiling with all his teeth. I think I had a little black out after. Then I realized that I will have to speak in front of all the guests, including Wim Wenders and many of my childhood heroes. So I was really trying to go on stage in high heels without falling on my face and then all I remember is Ildikó Enyedi smiling at me. It was truly ecstatic .
What has your award brought you?
It completely turned my life upside down in the best possible way. It made the film travel around the word which is the most amazing part because it is a rare case when an indie animated short can reach to such a wide audience. I’m still in delirium about it and I really feel that this whole year was completely beyond my expectations and I feel incredibly grateful for the Festival and for the Jury for this extraordinary start of the career of 27.
What are your best memories of Cannes?
There was one point where me and my friend Rachel (whose film was at the Semaine) went to swim at the Festival’s beach and we acknowledged for the first time that after many many years of production, we are in Cannes with our films and we are swimming in the sea. It was a moment that will stay with me. Besides that of course the premier and the award ceremony were the most unforgettable parts of the Festival. And then the party..! I ran back to the hotel to change my shoes and when I was heading back to the reception I saw the fireworks above the whole beach and it looked crazy. When I arrived, my two lovely colleagues were waiting for me with tears in their eyes. It really moved me so much. I’m so glad we could experience this catharsis together.
Do you have new projects?
I’m currently working on two films – both of them at a very early stage – to later apply for writing funds for them. One is an animation and one is a liveaction.
