Three days before the close of the 15th MyFrenchFilmFestival, discover the winners designated by the International, International Press, and the Content Creators juries.
The Grand Prix of the International Jury
Awarded by Franco-Iranian actor/producer/director Zar Amir, Danish-American actor Viggo Mortensen, French actor/director Noémie Merlant, Swedish writer/director/producer Tarik Saleh, and Russian writer/director Andrey Zvyaguintsev, the Grand Prix for the 15th MyFrenchFilmFestival goes to The Dreamer by Anaïs Tellenne, produced by Koro Films and distributed by Be For Films. The award is endowed with €15,000 in prize money divided equally between the director, producer, and international distributor.
“We unanimously award the Grand Prix to Anaïs Tellenne’s L’Homme d’argile (The Dreamer). This film stands out as an original and captivating work of cinema. With its richly textured photography, the film evokes the beauty and wonder of a modern fairytale. We were particularly moved by the authenticity of its mise-en-scène, anchored in the realism of its settings and human behaviour.
The character of Raphaël played by Raphaël Thiéry, transitioning from shy introspection to becoming a self-conscious muse, embodies a transformative journey that is both intimate and universal.
L’Homme d’argile (The Dreamer) is a poem that arrives unheralded and lingers in the heart like a song.”
The International Press Prize for Best Feature Film
Comprised of foreign journalists Elisabeth Vincentelli (The New York Times – USA), Yuko Tanaka (Kinema Junpo – Japan), Boyd Van Hoeij (Screen International – UK), Marco Consoli (freelance – Italy), and Gonzalo Lira (El Heraldo TV – Mexico), the International Press Jury has bestowed the award for Best Feature Film to Through the Night by Delphine Girard (In partnership with Wallonie-Bruxelles Images (WBI)).
“Belgian director Delphine Girard’s feature debut starts off as a thriller and then transforms into a gripping social drama exploring issues of consent, guilt, self-knowledge, and female solidarity. Using the tools of cinema, including judicious editing and an exemplary use of sound, as well as expertly judged performances, the film asks questions that don’t always have clear-cut answers, leaving it up to the audience to consider and judge what has happened.”
In addition, the International Press jury has awarded a Special Mention to Mars Express by Jérémie Périn:
“Jérémie Perin’s animated film is a stylish, suspenseful tale integrating science-fiction world-building and noir codes. Mars Express paints a complex, vivid vision of life in 2200 and digs into thought-provoking issues relating to personhood, and the boundaries between human and artificial. Périn adroitly juggles philosophical concerns and outer-space action, reminding us that our current decisions will have far-reaching consequences.”
The Content Creators’ Prize for Short Film
The Content Creators Jury – comprised of Shruti (@thecinemastories / in English), J. Alejandro Chávez (@jorandro_ / in Spanish), and Jovan Vasiljević (@cinematologist / in English) – has chosen to award Changing Rooms, a short film by Violette Gitton.
“With Changing Rooms, Violette Gitton delivers a compelling and thought-provoking film, brilliantly told through the eyes of a child navigating a moment of profound realization. Marius Plard’s outstanding performance brings a beautiful vulnerability to the role, making his journey all the more impactful. The film explores the formation of toxic masculinity and the way seemingly innocent childhood games can lead to painful consequences. The decision to centre the narrative on the boy’s perspective, rather than his sister’s, adds depth to the storytelling, reinforcing the film’s powerful reflection on identity, personal values, and the lasting influence of both internal and external environments.”
Remember: You’re on the jury, too!
The 18 films in competition are also in the running for the Audience Awards, presented to one feature film and one short film in competition. To vote, sign in to MyFrenchFilmFestival.com, up to and including February 17! Winners will be announced on February 19.
