- Five-day online celebration of independent cinema sees awards distributed for the second annual Indy Film Library Awards
- Documentary on Syria’s Kurds fight against Daesh A Dilo claims Best Feature Documentary Film, while psychological sci-fi Jack Fall takes Best Feature Narrative Film
- Melo Viana named Best Director for work on stylised coming-of-age film Silent Movie
- Marie Vandelanoote handed Best Screenplay for bittersweet drama Funeral
- Melissa Alkanlar scoops Best Actor for strong performance in survivor trauma examination DION
Since Wednesday 31st March 2021, Indy Film Library (IFL) has been streaming some of the best independent films it has received for review over the last year. The movies were selected on the basis of both their storytelling and the technical skills exhibited by their cast and crew, in a celebration of the best and brightest talents that the independent film industry has to offer.
As the coronavirus pandemic means that cinemas in Amsterdam remain shut, this year’s event saw IFL take its competition screenings online. While not seeing the films on a big screen was regrettable, this allowed for an expanded programme of top cinematic talent, while the move to a digital platform also allowed for a grass-roots community experience, as attendees were able to tune in from as far away as Brazil, the United States and the UK throughout the event.
Over the last week, IFL’s team has been serving as a jury to vote for which of the films should take be declared the best in show at the closing-night ceremony. Now, as its 2021 showcase prepares to draw to a close, IFL has announced the winners from the Indy Film Library Awards shortlist.
Indy Film Library Chief Editor Jack Brindelli commented, “One of my favourite parts of being a film critic is the opportunity to uncover and champion new talent. This year’s selection showed that even during an incredibly difficult year; regardless of budget, resources or experience, the only true limit to independent cinema is an artist’s imagination. The ingenuity and passion on display in every one of these films is truly remarkable, and Indy Film Library is proud to have given them the opportunity to shine in front of an audience, lockdown or not!
“I would like to congratulate all the winners of our second season on their victories – and to thank the audience for their participation. Being able to give these movies the kind of viewership they so richly deserve – as well as introducing so many people to some incredible talent they may never otherwise have come across – has been an honour. I can’t wait to do it all again for our next season of submissions.”
The winners are as follows:
- Best Feature Narrative Film
Winner – Jack Fall - Best Short Narrative Film
Winner – Fuggirò Tanto Amore
Special Commendation – La Chambre aux Oiseaux [The Bird Room] - Best Feature Documentary Film
Winner – A Dilo - Best Short Documentary Film
Winner – Staying Sane (During A Global Pandemic)
Special Commendation – Histórias de Lobos [Histories of Wolves] - Best Experimental Film
Winner – Huo Zhe [Living]
Special Commendation – Off Peak - Best Director
Winner – Melo Viana (for Silent Movie)
Special Commendation – Will Priddis & Brendan White (for The Itchen Comeback) - Best Screenplay
Winner – Marie Vandelanoote (for Funeral)
Special Commendation – Andy S. McEwan & Chris Quick (for Autumn Never Dies) - Best Actor
Winner – Melissa Alkanlar (for DION)
Special Commendation – Annelieke Joosten (for Retina)
The winning films and those specially can all be viewed for donation via the Indy Film Library website from Monday April 5th 09:00 CET until Sunday April 11th 2021 23:00 CET – while viewers will be invited to choose their favourite for this year’s Audience Choice Award. Tickets are available for a fee of your choosing on Eventbrite now. Meanwhile, on Monday April 5th 2021 09:00 CET, Indy Film Library will open for its third year of submissions.
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