The Les Arcs Film Festival has recently concluded its 15th Industry Village, an event that brings together cinema professionals from all over Europe. The festival, which takes place in the enchanting French Alps, is a platform for the development and promotion of feature projects and works-in-progress. This year, the festival awarded several prizes to outstanding films and talented filmmakers.
The Coproduction Village, one of the highlights of the Industry Village, showcased 18 European film projects among the 269 submissions. One of the standout entries was French director François Robic’s drama Kingdom Of The Blind. The film tells the story of a woman with a dark secret who tries to start a new life in a different valley in the French Pyrenees mountains. Robic, who already has experience with short films, impressed the jury with his creative and sensitive exploration of the thriller genre. He was awarded the €6,000 Coproduction Village ArteKino International Award.
The Work-in-Progress showcase at the Industry Village featured 13 feature projects that were in production or post-production. One of the most compelling entries was Slovenian director Urška Djukić’s coming-of-age tale, Little Trouble Girls. The film, a co-production between Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and France, captivated the jury with its striking imagery and powerful storytelling. The scene of intimidation was particularly intense and well-staged, leaving a lasting impression on the judges. Djukić was awarded the €10,000 TitraFilm Award for post-production services.
The Les Arcs Film Festival is not only a celebration of talented filmmakers but also an opportunity to engage with the audience. Nelson Foix’s Guadeloupe-set drama, Zion, was the recipient of the €6,000 Alphapanda Audience Engagement Award. The film, produced in France, takes a thought-provoking look at the topic of masculinity. The jury members were impressed with its powerful format and story, believing that it has the potential to make a significant impact on the industry and reach a wide range of audiences.
Music plays a crucial role in filmmaking, and the festival recognized this by awarding the €10,000 22D Music Award to Frida Kempff’s The Swedish Torpedo. Inspired by the true story of Sally Bauer, the first European woman to swim across the English Channel, the film impressed the jury with its cinematography and ambitious musical intentions. The jury commended Kempff for her unique approach to storytelling and her careful consideration of the music at the writing stage.
The Talent Village is a section of the Industry Village that focuses on supporting the development of first feature projects. This year, Norwegian director Marlene Emilie Lyngstad’s project, Cute, received the top award of €1,500. The jury praised Lyngstad’s clear vision and her ability to tackle complex storytelling about human relations. They admired her holistic approach to filmmaking, where she combines scriptwriting with location scouting and casting. A special mention was also given to Josephine Darcy Hopkins’ project, Docile, for its unique cinematic approach and exploration of a sensitive topic.
The Les Arcs Film Festival’s Industry Village was a resounding success, showcasing remarkable films and supporting talented filmmakers. With the recognition and support from the festival, these projects and directors have a bright future ahead in the world of cinema. The festival continues to be a vital platform for the development of European cinema and a must-attend event for cinema professionals.