Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – The 14th edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival has come to a close, with the announcement of this year’s winners. The festival, which took place from February 29th to March 10th, showcased a strong lineup of films and attracted a diverse range of guests. The event celebrated the burgeoning film industry in the Grand Duchy, solidifying the festival’s position as a key player in the Luxembourgish cinema scene.
The awards ceremony, held at Kinepolis, began with a special tribute to actor-director Viggo Mortensen. Following the tribute, Mortensen’s latest film, “The Dead Don’t Hurt,” which he wrote, directed, and starred in alongside Vicky Krieps, was screened for the audience. Mortensen expressed his gratitude to the Luxembourgish audiences for their support.
The first set of awards presented were the youth-oriented prizes, judged by select school classes chosen for this year’s festival. Lina, a film depicting Syria’s descent into civil war, was the recipient of the Youth Jury Prize, which comes with a €2,000 endowment.
The Audience Award by Orange, determined by the festival’s attendees, went to the film that resonated the most with Luxembourgish viewers. Additionally, the 2030 Award by Luxembourg Aid & Development, endowed with €7,500, was presented to a film that prominently addressed development issues or a director connected to the partner countries of the Luxembourg Cooperation.
The FIPRESCI Award, also known as the International Critics’ Award, was given by a panel of critics from around the world. The Documentary Award, awarded by a dedicated documentary jury, was accompanied by a €5000 prize. The prestigious Grand Prix, chosen from the festival’s official selection by a jury that included American director Ira Sachs and Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps, also showcased the best of this year’s films.
In addition to the official awards, special mentions were given to Luna Carmoon for her direction in “Hoard” and to Kauan Alvarenga for his performance in “Toll,” both recognized by the international jury. The winners of all the awards expressed their appreciation for the recognition and highlighted the societal relevance of their films.
The Luxembourg City Film Festival marked the conclusion of another successful edition, drawing in large crowds and showcasing a diverse range of films. The event provided a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers, solidifying the festival’s reputation as a hub for the Grand Duchy’s growing film industry.