Depict! Action Xtreme Award

Winner: Welcome to the Party Directed by Jack Downs

Action Xtreme Citation :

“We would like to reward the team behind Welcome to the Party with the Action Xtreme award. The film stood out as the one that most fulfilled the brief with great fight and action scenes, clear “good and bad guys”, dynamic camera work and editing, energy and pace, alongside some simple but effective FX. The setting and the costumes made it feel like a cross between The Raid and a modern day Terminator. Action Xtreme are excited to work with a team that has so clearly demonstrated their love of action filmmaking, and we’re really looking forward to supporting these filmmakers develop a longer or episodic piece of action content with the Action Xtreme prize.”

South West Award

Presented in partnership with Soho House

Winner: Dowr Tamar / Great Water Directed by Samuel Bestwick

National Jury Citation

“This film cleverly weaves relevant themes into its rich and poetic narrative. The connection of humankind to the natural world, the effects of industrial progress, and the passage of time are seamlessly intertwined through varied video formats, sound, and music, delivering a truly captivating cinematic experience.”

UK Student Award

Winner: Wicked & Bad Directed by Toni Lotta Groner

National Jury Citation

“This candid documentary effortlessly took us on a journey of resilience, transforming injustice into an act of power. An urgent film that spoke to the jurybecause of its radiating sense of solidarity and friendship, pushed forward by its real-life characters whose authenticity and courage stand unquestionably.”

Animated Encounters Grand Prix

Winner: All My Scars Vanish in the Wind Directed by Carlos Velandia, Angélica Restrepo

International Jury Citation

“Rendered through immersive digital animation techniques and using evocative layers of sound, this film is a quietly powerful account of childhood trauma. In exploring the places and objects that linger in such memories, old wounds are confronted while ultimately presenting a path towards healing. The Animated Encounters Grand Prix goes to All My Scars Vanish in the Wind by Angelica Restrepo and Carlos Velandia.”

Brief Encounters Grand Prix

Winner: Flores del Otro Patio Directed by Jorge Cadena

International Jury Citation

Our International Jury, consisting of Jude Lister, Anne Gaschütz, Diana Cam Van Nguyen, said of their decision :

“This film takes us on a rather visceral journey into a queer community that engages in a fight against an overbearing capitalist system. Visually stunning and framed beautifully, the short meanders between dreamy fiction and harsh reality in which its protagonists try to stand up for their beliefs. An activist film in itself set in a world little known to the outside world, the Brief Encounters Grand Prix goes to Flores del otro patio by Jorge Cadena.”

Special Mention goes to Sensitive Content, Directed by Narges Kalhor

UK Award

Winner: Jill, Uncredited Directed by Anthony Ing

National Jury Citation

Our national Jury, consisting of Carolina Petro, Alexandra Colta, Niels Putman, said of their decision :

“The profound loneliness at the core of each frame in this collage film, ultimately assembles a world that captivates us into nothing less than respect and admiration. Questioning the act of watching movies and underscoring the tremendous labour required in making them, this nostalgic quest through film history has birthed a new persona for its protagonist, who was almost always there, but rarely noticed before.”

Special mentions go to : The Archive: Queer Nigerians Directed by Simisolaoluwa Akande and The Möbius Trip Directed by Simone Smith

Depict!

Winner: Farm Life Directed by Daniel Simpkins

Depict! Jury Citation

The Depict! Jury, consisting of Noel Goodwin and Hannah Lau-Walker, gave the following explanation for their decision :

“Meditative, thoughtful, cinematic – captured a small maybe missed part of life that was engaging – and it developed the character so fully by the end. Technically its well-made, visually stunning, good use of natural light, real craftsmanship, shots, demonstrates an understanding of film. Not sensationalist – well drawn snapshot of a character and a life; visually and through the narrative.

Sound design. COWS!!

Quietness and meditativeness. Nice to be in a cinema where someone/thing requires you to slow down and enjoy the cinematography - refreshing, romantic. Captivating and draws you in. “