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 honor 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…
A documentary portrait of Martha, a young artist and activist who devotes herself to the intricate study of bird anatomy to create life-sized replicas from materials she finds outside. In this short, her current project, a crow, takes shape right before our eyes as Martha reflects on her process. An ode to the art of looking closely and an invitation for kinship across species.
An HIV-positive artist presents work created with his own blood—a visitor recoils, afraid he might “catch something.” This moment opens the door to the surreal, where a haunting figure drifts between exposure and erasure. An engagement with the concept of the Other as a reflection on the tension between contemporary medicine and social attitudes that remain stuck in outdated panic. Which is more contagious: the virus, or fear?
The jury was deeply struck by the vulnerability and rawness of this film. It presents itself with an unsettling intimacy, confronting the viewer with moments of discomfort that nevertheless open space for reflection. While the narrative is not always easy to grasp—sometimes even obscured by fleeting captions—the ambiguity becomes part of its strength, demanding the audience to bring their own interpretations, fears, and desires into the work.
As a jury, we experienced the film as both abstract and visceral. Its imagery—touch, mild nudity, blood—was never gratuitous but deeply evocative, creating a tension between exposure and concealment, between the fear of infection and the yearning to be touched. We found ourselves unsettled yet moved, left to wonder about the role of the audience and the ways in which film transforms performance into something more enduring.
Although this may not have been the most accomplished film of the competition, it revealed a distinctive voice and a strong artistic curiosity. We are eager to see how the maker develops these ideas further in future work as a multidisciplinary artist. For its originality, daring abstraction, and ability to spark dialogue, the Emerging Talent Award goes to Infect Me Gently by Can Bora.
Best Film
The jury was impressed by the remarkable attention to detail in this film. Every frame invites the viewer to pause, look closer, and rediscover the significance of life’s seemingly small elements. What might ordinarily be overlooked is here transformed into something meaningful and profound.
By daring its audience to slow down, the film mirrors the rhythm of its subject, reminding us of the beauty in taking time and offering true attention. This deliberate pace creates not only an aesthetic experience but also an emotional one, allowing the audience to reflect on their own relationship with detail and presence.
Cinematically, the film stood out as the most accomplished in the competition. With a striking visual language, thoughtful composition, and a clear artistic vision, it elevated itself beyond documentary. Watching it was not only satisfying but also soothing, a peaceful reminder of what film can be when every element is carefully considered.
For its elegance, clarity, and its cinematic quality, the jury is proud to award the film: Vogelaar by Willemijn Debets.
Toni Blackwell creates performances, writes, directs, and teaches theater in various settings. In 2023, she was assistant director for Romana Vrede’s acclaimed play The Story of Travis at Theater Rotterdam, and again in 2025 for the production Sisterhood. For the concept of the production Voor Sletten die zijn verkracht, Toni won the Troffel (The Trowel), Festival Cement’s annual incentive prize. She reworked this production in 2023 at Frascati Productions as part of the program Under Construction. In 2024, she created Voor Junkies die de wereld gaan redden (For Junkies Who Will Save the World), her first Frascati Production. In 2025, she wrote and directed her first pilot (Geen Mercade) for a series for 3LAB/BNNVara. In her performances, Toni dares to address uncomfortable socio-political topics. Her artistic signature is queer, raw and outspoken, and her work is fueled by a need for justice and equality. Toni encourages her viewers to reconsider the complexity of certain issues and reflects on their blind spots in an attempt to counteract polarization. In her work, she resists dynamics of exclusion and addresses the experiences of people who don’t automatically feel welcome in society.
Since 2019 Rogier Kramer is co-owner of the Amsterdam-based production company Labyrint Film (formerly known as Dutch Mountain Film). He has been recognised as emerging talent and invited for various industry meetings and training programs, such as Rotterdam Lab (IFFR) in 2018, Berlinale Talents in 2020 and the EAVE Producers Workshop 2023. Rogier is a committed and passionate producer and strives to enter into long-term collaborations with writers, directors and co-producers in which transparency and equality are paramount. He is a member of the European Film Academy and the Dutch Academy For Film and occasionally gives guest lectures at the Netherlands Film Academy, where he graduated in 2015. Furthermore, Rogier is always looking for stories about, for and/or by the queer community, as Labyrint Film aims to take the lead in the fight for better representation of this group in particular.
Annabet Langkamp, business director at Kaboom Animation Festival, studied Film & Television at the University of Amsterdam, made short films at Studenten TV and worked many years as the production coordinator and HR Manager at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA). As a festival director, she is very much into creating a welcoming atmosphere for everyone to share stories, have fun and get inspired. Contributing to an equal playing field for film professionals and audiences from all levels and backgrounds is of great importance to her, as are offering opportunities and visibility to anyone and everyone.
Explore cinema beyond the frame
