TAU Student Wins First Prize in Brooklyn International Film Festival for Best Director and Creator
Thursday, November 3, 2005

Matan Guggenheim honored for his short film "Crickets"

This is Guggenheim's first film as a student in TAU's Film and Television Department. The film tells the story of Ido, who was exposed to the underground world of gamblers betting on terrorist attacks. He enters this world after experiencing the trauma of losing his parents in a terrorist attack. Ido, who at the beginning of the film refrains from entering this subterranean world, eventually finds this to be the only solution for his "cricket" problem (the sound of crickets in his head since losing his parents). Ido is swept into the chaotic world of gambling and, when the terrorist attacks cease, he finds himself with a new problem: gambling.

John Turturro, actor and Festival guest of honor, awarded the $7,000 first prize, which featured 150 creators from around the world.

Crickets has competed in dozens of festivals worldwide, including the Dakino Film Festival in Romania, where it received honorable mention, and in the prestigious Clemont Ferand Festival in France, which is considered the "Cannes" of short films.

Matan Guggenheim is currently working on his graduating film project.