In the 2023 edition of the Festival du Film Merveilleux, under the esteemed leadership of Jury President Jean François Camilleri and distinguished jury members Xavier Laurent, Victoria Zadorska, Guillaume Levil, Magdalena Korpas, and Kaze A. Onguene, several films received notable accolades. Gabriel Hénot-Lefèvre’s touching animation “Slipping Away (L’air de rien)” won the Best Animated Film. Sarah Saidan’s poignant “Home of the Heart (À cœur ouvert)” was honored with Best Screenplay, while Alberto Arellano’s visually captivating “Mental Soirée” took home the Best Special Effects award. The award for Best Music was clinched by “Bad Seed (Mauvaise graine)” directed by Nadège Herrygers. Zoé Arène’s “Enfin de compte (Fairy Tale)” was the standout, winning both Best Live-Action and the Youth Award. Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions to cinema!

Best Animated Film: “Slipping Away (L’air de rien)” by Gabriel Hénot-Lefèvre

Synopsis: Set in a sanatorium by the sea, an elderly man’s life transforms when he befriends a wounded seagull.

Best Live-Action and Youth Award: “Enfin de compte (Fairy Tale)” by Zoé Arène

Synopsis: Juan, an aspiring filmmaker, questions his documentary about Coco, a woman who believes she is a fairy.

Best Screenplay: “Home of the Heart (À cœur ouvert)” by Sarah Saidan

Synopsis: Omid, an Iranian immigrant in France, discovers he has no heart after surviving a stabbing. The story ponders whether he left his heart in Iran.

Best Special Effects: “Mental Soirée” by Alberto Arellano

Synopsis: The film portrays the meeting of two shipwrecked souls guided by a manual for telepathy.

Best Music: “Bad Seed (Mauvaise graine)” by Nadège Herrygers

Synopsis: Sadia is caught in a mysterious trade by her friend Arthur, who then faces a choice.

The 2023 Festival du Film Merveilleux has once again showcased the pinnacle of artistic and narrative excellence. These films not only captivated audiences but also stood as a testament to the incredible talent of the directors, writers, and the entire creative teams. Our heartfelt congratulations go to all the artists for their remarkable contributions to the world of cinema.