Winners

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…

Best film

CripPleasurePower — Ari Sinn (10 mins)

Imagine where your body and mind would move if they weren’t regulated by normative ideas about what it means to be sexy or attractive. If your sexual pleasure universe, autonomy, and consent were prioritized. What feelings and sensations would your body and mind cling to? What need could you finally fulfill lovingly?

“CripPleasurePower” is a documentary/essay film that invites viewers into the intimate realm of the artist’s desires, exploring the possibilities of aligning one’s pleasure with one’s values. This experimental journey aims to liberate individuals from conventional notions of sex by encouraging a deep connection with one’s own erotic power as a life source.

By highlighting the rich spectrum of experiences of people with disabilities and amplifying their voices, the film celebrates a “crip” sexual culture and expands our limited definitions of sex. The story dismantles normative beliefs and challenges the deeply ingrained notion that non-disabled heteronormative sex is the only and standard expression of intimacy. Ultimately, the film advocates for prioritizing pleasure and joy as the source of life, strongly influenced by the great activists and writers Adrienne Maree Brown, Audre Lorde, Shayda Kafai, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Ingrid LaFleur.

Emerging Talent

Two Birds with One Stone — GROSS&DOOMED (10 mins)

Two queer people meet at various cruising locations in three different countries. In light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, as celebrated in the Orthodox Christian tradition, they draw parallels with their queer experience of self-reinvention. They reflect on the metaphysics of death and surrender to a shared, sustained experience of rebirth.

The story unfolds in an often chaotic, intuitive style, reflecting the development and filmmaking process, interwoven with a voice-over of philosophical reflections.

The film is based on the personal experiences of the makers and was filmed in their native countries of North Macedonia and Greece, as well as their residence in the Netherlands.

Content warning: nudity

Jury report

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.

Best Film

With its stunning visual simplicity, this film draws us into a world where personal narratives and desires unfold with striking tenderness. An experimental approach to form enhances its thematic depth, allowing subtle gestures to carry immense emotional weight. Each frame feels intentionally crafted, carefully restrained, and undeniably effective, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation and beauty. As voices guide you through an exploration of an inner world, you’re swept along by a stream of various shots that become almost intoxicating at the right moments. Once the film starts, it’s like a train taking off—you can only get off when it reaches the final stop.

And the winner is… CripPleasurePower by Ari Sinn!

CripPleasurePower is more than a film; it’s a manifesto. It gives voice to underrepresented stories, inviting us into a world where the pleasure and intimacy of disabled individuals are centered and celebrated, rather than marginalised. By confronting the dominant narrative around nondisabled, heteronormative intimacy, this film broadens our understanding beyond the concept of pleasure, touching on identity, sexuality, and the diverse experiences of disabled individuals. Ari Sinn has crafted a work that is not only visually and conceptually compelling but also deeply necessary in today’s cultural and political landscape.

Jury

Chabelle van der Pauw (she/her) Secretary Board

Profile

Chabelle van der Pauw (she/her) Secretary Board

Chabelle is an enthusiastic entrepreneur in the cultural sector. Her passion for art and culture emerged early, and as a teenager, she resolved to make art accessible to as many people as possible. She holds a Bachelor’s in Theatre, Film, and Television Studies from Utrecht University and a Master’s in Arts Policy and Management. Chabelle has been developing arts and culture projects across the Netherlands, working with diverse organizations from film festivals to art studios and from emerging theatre makers to established opera companies.
Chabelle serves on the board of the Queer Film Festival Utrecht as Secretary. With over 12 years of experience in festivals like NFF, IFFR, and the Dutch Academy for Film, Chabelle is deeply connected to the industry. She believes it is crucial to continue sharing queer stories. Film is a beautiful way to bring the community together, foster discussion and connection, and celebrate queer joy.