Jury
Chaired by: Florent Lamy (Founder & CEO of Elevate Management)
Jury Members:
- Christine Mazereau (Director of RECA)
- Joan Bohan (Former Walt Disney Company)
- Christophe Fustini (Screenwriter)
- Fabien Houssaye (Actor)
- Namory Bakayoko (Actor, Junior Jury)
Award Winners / Palmarès
Best Film / Meilleur Film
The Companions – Directed by José María Flores
This Spanish production, a 12-minute contemplative piece following a young couple’s evening encounter with an unexpected crowd, has been honored with the festival’s highest distinction. This intimate work stood out among the 29 competing films for its subtle approach to human relationships and urban mystery.
Jury Prize / Prix du Jury
Son – Directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova
The powerful Kazakhstan-Russia co-production telling the story of a disabled boy and his father whose lives are transformed by a Mars robot landing broadcast on television.
Special Mention / Mention Spéciale
Samia – Directed by Selma Alaoui and Bruno Tracq
The Belgian film that beautifully captures a chance encounter leading to a celebration of Moroccan music, offering solace from grief.
Best SFX Prize / Prix SFX
Mermaid – Directed by Dasha Charusha
The Russian reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale.
Best Music / Meilleure Musique
Hymne of the Plague – Directed by Alexander Epikhov, Dimitri Gorbaty and Philipp Ivanov
The haunting Germany-Russia co-production set in a Soviet recording studio where musicians encounter supernatural phenomena. Music composed by Leonid Fedorov and Vladimir Martynov.
Best Screenplay / Meilleur Scénario
The Tooth – Directed by Sergei Annenkov
A touching Russian story about a mother’s sacrifice to maintain her son’s childhood magic.
Best Animation Film / Meilleur Film d’Animation
Miracle – Directed by Ilia Ivanov
The whimsical Russian production featuring a cyberpunk-styled robot vacuum cleaner chasing a feather in a locked basement.
SDG Prize / Prix SDG
Mal Roulante – Directed by Guillaume Levil
The French film exploring scientific responsibility and space-time disruption, acknowledging its contribution to Sustainable Development Goals.
Youth Prize / Prix Jeune
Underground Invaders – Directed by Shera Courtalhac, Ines Molinier, Victor Lesaffre, Maëlle Metaireau, Dana Guyot, Ines Dolivet, Meggie Bernier
The French film demonstrating particular resonance with younger audiences and relevant commentary on contemporary issues, reflecting modern world anxieties.
Festival Overview
The Festival has concluded its exceptional programming with the presentation of its prestigious awards, crowning a selection of 29 short films distributed across three captivating sessions.
Total Runtime: 5 hours and 11 minutes
Countries Represented: 15 countries including Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, USA, France, South Korea, Benin, Iran, Italy, China, and Kazakhstan.
Thematic Sessions
Session 1: “Distorted Realities & Identity Quests” Session 2: “Shattered Dreams & Unexpected Encounters” Session 3: “Ghosts of the Past & Metamorphoses”
The festival’s programming offered audiences a rich journey through contemporary short cinema, confirming the festival’s position as an essential platform for emerging international talent. This edition has left its mark through the diversity of works presented and the artistic quality of international productions.
The success of this edition promises an even brighter future for the Festival du Film Merveilleux, which continues to discover and celebrate the most innovative voices in contemporary cinema.