The closing night of the Amsterdam Independent Film Festival 2023, now in its 6th year, took place this past Saturday evening. As is tradition, the festival took place at Amsterdam’s LAB111 — the cult cinema located in a former anatomical pathology hospital — where it screened an eclectic selection of independent films from local and international filmmakers. Festival Director Kris De Meester looks back: "I was delighted by the vibrant turnout and the heartening response from our audience to the eclectic collection of independent films from around the world. Angela Chen's 'Slaps' drew hearty amusement, and her presence during the screening added to the excitement. Erik Sémashkin's 'Nature Attack' left the audience intrigued and craving for more. Rex Shannon's 'European Man...American Beach' had the crowd erupting in laughter, while Ahmad Alyaseer's 'Our Males and Females' moved hearts profoundly. Emotions are the essence of cinema, and this festival exemplified the ability of film to evoke them. It was a pleasure to witness our audience laugh, ponder, and be moved by the artistry on display."
The Amsterdam Independent Film Festival is excited to share with you today the 2023 award winners. The jury panel has chosen the following films as this year's finest:
Best Narrative Feature Film: Hurrah, we are still alive! (Poland) by Agnieszka Polska
Best Documentary Feature Film: Nobody Knows Casper (Denmark) by René Odgaard
Best Narrative Short Film: Bazigaga (France) by Jo Ingabire Moys
Best Documentary Short Film: The Mechanics of Fluids (France) by Gala Hernández López
Best Director: Our Males and Females (Jordan) by Ahmad Alyaseer
Best Acting: Eliane Umuhire in Bazigaga (France) by Jo Ingabire Moys
Best Animated Film: Nature Attack (Ukraine) by Erik Sémashkin
Best Experimental Film: Kiss/Crash (United Kingdom) by Adam Cole
Best Super Short Film Slaps (United States) by Angela Chen
Best Music Video: Electric Shoes (Germany) by Dimitris Argyriou
Best Dance Film: Rum 444 (Sweden) by Peter Svenzon
Best Dutch Film: The Last Day (Netherlands) by Sander Blom
The Amsterdam Independent Film Festival would like to thank LAB111 and Tarkovski Agency for their continued support, and all guests for coming out to enjoy another week full of independent cinema. See you all next year!
ABOUT AMSTERDAM INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL At the Amsterdam Independent Film Festival, we focus on film. The glitz and glamour of show business in the mainstream film festival can sometimes detract from the true purpose of the event — the celebration of creative film-making. The festival will bring independent artistic visions to an audience that demands a more fulfilling experience than the latest Hollywood fare.