The Sea Devil is Imagine’s prize for the best feature film of the festival. The 2024 jury consisted of film consultant René Wolf, illustrator and programmer Mackenzie Fincham and film journalist Julius Koetsier, Editor in Chief at Schokkend Nieuws magazine.
From the jury report:
‘Jayro Bustamante packs an indictment of the harsh conditions in a youth boarding school in Guatemala into a fairytale as fairytale as it is grim, designed with sophisticated cinematography and carried by strong leads. Rita is more than a political pamphlet: a deeply moving film that shows that reality is sometimes best seen through the lens of the fantastic.‘
The Méliès d’Argent is awarded on behalf of the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) to the best European fantastic feature film and short film. This year’s jury for the Méliès d’Argent for best European fantastic feature film consisted of director Michael Middelkoop, producer Marleen Slot and film journalist Joyce Roodnat.
From the jury rapport:
‘We chose the film that took us elsewhere, into strange territory, known and unknown at the same time. And when the film released us, we were not only satisfied, we understood our own lives better. We chose the film that is surreal and current. Where refugees are silent and deniers dance on the edge of cookers. This jury is excited to award the Mélies d’Argent to Mr K.’
The Méliès d’Argent is awarded on behalf of the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) to the best European feature film and short film. This year, the jury for the Méliès d’Argent for the best European fantastic short film consisted of writer and former Imagine Fantastic Film Festival programmer Barend de Voogd, actress Juliette van Ardenne and programmer Miranda van Gelder.
From the jury report:
‘The poetic images and beautiful sound design bring to life a world you can not only see and hear, but also smell and feel. The whole film shows an awful lot of attention and love for detail. At a very confident and calm pace, we are transported into a world, not even that far away from here, but long ago – while the film will continue to echo in your head for a very long time after it’s over.
The Silver Scream Award is Imagine’s infamous and coveted audience prize. During the festival, visitors can vote via paper ballots distributed at screenings. You are the jury!
The audience of Imagine 2024 rated Sean Baker’s crime fairy tale Anora the highest, scoring 8,960. The Silver Scream Award 2024 is now officially hers.
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Imagine Fantastic Film Festival is an affiliate member of the Méliès International
