Screenshot from "Return" directed by Shay Levi.

Two Israeli films and a third film by an Israeli director were announced as winners at the 48th annual Chicago International Film Festival Competition, which runs until Thursday in the windy city. A total of 8 Israeli movies were showcased within the two week event, among them recent Academy Award nominated film “Footnote”.

The Silver Hugo in the international documentaries category went to “Numbered” by Dana Doron & Uriel Sinai, which captures the stories of Holocaust survivors and their relationships with the tattooed serial numbers they got in Auschwitz. The 19 minutes short “Return”, which follows a man attempting to rebuild his life following a psychotic meltdown, by director Shay Levi, won the Gold Hugo for Best Short Film.

Israeli director Nadav Kurtz won the Silver Hugo for Best Short Documentary for his US film “Paradise”, which was filmed in Chicago, and documents three Mexican immigrants who risk their lives washing windows on some of the tallest skyscrapers in the city, while observing life from up above.

Among other notable nationalities represented in the winners list are Hungary, Canada and Sweden. The joint French and German production “Holy Motors”, which co-stars Eva Mendes and Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, came out on top with three wins, including the Gold Hugo for Best Film.