The jury, chaired by Florent Lamy (Founder & CEO of Elevate Management) and composed of Christine Mazereau (Director of RECA), Joan Bohan (Former Walt Disney Company), Christophe Fustini (screenwriter), Fabien Houssaye (actor) and Namory Bakayoko (actor, junior jury), has awarded the following prizes:

Award Winners / Palmarès

• Best Film / Meilleur Film: The Companions directed by José María Flores
• Jury Prize / Prix du Jury: Son directed by Zhanna Bekmambetova
• Special Mention / Mention Spéciale: Samia directed by Selma Alaoui and Bruno Tracq
• Best SFX Prize / Prix SFX: Mermaid directed by Dasha Charusha
• Best Music / Meilleure Musique: Hymne of the Plague directed by Alexander Epikhov, Dimitri Gorbaty and Philipp Ivanov. Music composed by Leonid Fedorov and Vladimir Martynov
• Best Screenplay / Meilleur Scénario: The Tooth directe by sergei annenkov
• Best Animation Film / Meilleur Film d’Animation: Miracle directed by Ilia Ivanov
• SDG Prize / Prix SDG: Mal Roulante directed by Guillaume Levil
• Youth Prize / Prix Jeune: Underground Invaders directed by Shera Courtalhac, Ines Molinier, Victor Lesaffre, Maëlle Metaireau, Dana Guyot, Ines Dolivet, Meggie Bernier

The Festival has just concluded its exceptional programming with the presentation of its prestigious awards, crowning a selection of 29 short films distributed across three captivating sessions. This edition has left its mark through the diversity of works presented and the artistic quality of international productions.

“The Companions” Wins Best Film Award

The Spanish production “The Companions,” 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.

A Diverse Range of Winners

The jury, impressed by the overall quality of the selection, has distributed several awards recognizing the festival’s artistic diversity:

Jury Prize went to “Son,” 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 was awarded to “Samia,” the Belgian film that beautifully captures a chance encounter leading to a celebration of Moroccan music, offering solace from grief.

Creative Excellence Recognized

The festival also celebrated technical achievements:

Best SFX Prize honored “Mermaid,” the Russian reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale.

Best Music Award went to “Hymne of the Plague,” the haunting Germany-Russia co-production set in a Soviet recording studio where musicians encounter supernatural phenomena.

Best Screenplay recognized “The Tooth,” a touching Russian story about a mother’s sacrifice to maintain her son’s childhood magic.

Best Animation Film celebrated “Miracle,” the whimsical Russian production featuring a cyberpunk-styled robot vacuum cleaner chasing a feather in a locked basement.

Special Recognition for Social Impact

The SDG Prize (Sustainable Development Goals) was presented to “Mal roulante,” acknowledging the French film’s exploration of scientific responsibility and space-time disruption.

Youth Prize went to “Underground Invaders,” demonstrating its particular resonance with younger audiences and its relevant commentary on contemporary issues, acknowledging the French film’s reflection on modern world anxieties.

A Festival Celebrating Cinematic Diversity

With a total runtime of 5 hours and 11 minutes, this edition of the Merveilleux Film Festival showcased an impressive geographical diversity, featuring works from 15 countries including Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, USA, France, South Korea, Benin, Iran, Italy, China, and Kazakhstan.

The festival’s programming, divided into three thematic sessions – “Distorted Realities & Identity Quests,” “Shattered Dreams & Unexpected Encounters,” and “Ghosts of the Past & Metamorphoses” – offered audiences a rich journey through contemporary short cinema, confirming the festival’s position as a essential platform for emerging international talent.

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.