Moment of appreciation

It’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer creativity, passion, and hard work that all of you have poured into the 10-minute challenge. For us, it has been an absolute honour to witness your unique perspectives and the vibrant diversity that defines our community. We are deeply grateful for the stories you’ve shared with us.

Creating your first film is an act of immense courage. It’s about translating your innermost thoughts into a visual language that others can understand and feel, taking risks, and trusting that your voice is one worth hearing. Each frame and line of dialogue is a testament to your commitment to telling stories that matter. Whether your film was a quiet exploration of identity or a loud, unapologetic statement, you’ve made something tangible that will linger in the minds of those who’ve seen it—and that is truly remarkable.

We, as the jury, have been thrilled to experience such a diverse array of stories—from those steeped in poetic depth to films that re-evaluate our understanding of intimacy, identity, and human connection, to those that made us laugh, feel good, and inspired us to take action. Each film has sparked reflection, reminding us of the power of cinema to challenge, uplift, and bring about change.

Evaluation process

Our journey as judges has been one of discovery and reflection. Evaluating these films was both a joy and a challenge. We approached each entry with the intention of understanding the filmmaker’s vision—what story they wanted to tell, and how they chose to tell it. We considered the emotional impact, the creativity in storytelling, and the technical execution. We delved into the layers of meaning, looked for the subtleties in performance, and examined how the visual and auditory elements were woven together. Each film was a world of its own, and our task was to navigate these worlds, finding the gems that resonated the most.

In many ways, this process mirrored the art of filmmaking itself—full of discussions, differing perspectives, and moments of revelation. Yet, we often found ourselves on the same page, and after some deliberation we reached consensus on the Winner and Emerging Talent. Now, it’s time for the most exciting part— announcing the names of the prize winners… 

 Emerging Talent

Sometimes, a filmmaker leaves so much space that you, as a viewer, feel a generous invitation to dive into your own interpretation, creating different meanings for each of us.  The winner of this year’s Emerging Talent Award is a film that truly stands out for its creativity and daring approach.

This award goes to … the  filmmakers duo GROSS&DOOMED for their film Two Birds with One Stone.

Through a unique blend of mediums, the filmmakers create a radically queer world that feels both slightly surreal and deeply intimate. It clearly demonstrates the breadth of the filmmaker’s skills. The film raises more questions than it answers, inviting us to revisit and rethink its themes long after the credits roll.  And speaking of the credits, we couldn’t help but smile at the whimsical sight of the main characters, transformed into mermaids, their fish tails playfully swaying.

The originality on display hints at the incredible potential of this director duo, who are clearly at the beginning of a vibrant and daring creative journey with their film Two Birds with One Stone. With their fearless approach to filmmaking, we are excited to see how their future work continues to break new ground in beautifully queer and innovative ways.