New Amour Award winner 2024

Every year we search for the most outstanding first and second feature films for the New Makers program. We are proud to scout up-and-coming talents and showcase hidden gems of cinema to our audience. For 4 years, these precious films have been part of the New Makers Competition, in which The New Jury, a team of young local film lovers, decides which filmmaker will take home the New Amour Award. This year, the New Jury members, consisting of five young passionate, and talented film lovers (Lelie, Sofie, Michiel, Yasmin, and João), selected the winner among the five New Makers films.

New Jury Report

We had the pleasure of watching five incredible films, each offering a unique and powerful story. From captivating vampire tales to touching explorations of parent-child relationships, these films showcased the strength of human connections and the importance of community. The variety of film styles, techniques, and outstanding performances left a lasting impact on us all. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to experience these New Maker films. Therefore, we want to thank Roffa Mon Amour for choosing us to come together and discuss our shared passion, which is the art of cinema Choosing a winner was incredibly difficult, therefore as the jury we feel the need to acknowledge Levante as an honourable mention for its profound impact, as it lit a fire in us all with its powerful message. However, we all found ourselves collectively captivated by one particular film that left us reflecting on it for days. This filmmaker skillfully recreates authentic human interactions and emotions, centered around the shared experience of using a single video camera. Is it fiction or reality? Both, perhaps. This film blurs the lines, leaving no one untouched. The storyline and editing, with their spontaneous and authentic qualities, are compelling, but it is the powerful performances of the three main characters that truly stand out.

The New Jury is excited to present that the New Makers Award goes to 78 Days Emilija Gasic’s

78 Days is not just a film about the Kosovo war; it is a powerful commentary on the enduring human spirit against all odds. Emilija’s ability to connect the personal to the universal offers a narrative that resonates with the ongoing struggles for peace and justice worldwide. In the context of our contemporary world, where we daily witness and live through complex realities, this film uses documentary aesthetics to highlight the deeply human and painful costs of living in the shadow of conflict. By incorporating home video tapes, it brings a sense of nostalgia and familiarity, delivering a comforting glimpse of home in these uncertain times. The intimacy depicted in the film serves as a bitter escape from the harsh reality looming in the background. The film effortlessly combines a high level of documentary realism with a poetic style, revealing that even in the most challenging circumstances, tenderness and togetherness can still flourish. We are delighted by this unexpected coincidence of announcing 78 Days as the winner on the very day it’s being shown. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.