ROTTERDAM, Jan 30 (ZIZ): The IFFR Pro Awards Ceremony, co-hosted with Catalan Films, witnessed the presentation of seven awards to outstanding projects featured at the 41st edition of IFFR’s co-production market, CineMart. This event took place on Tuesday, January 30, acknowledging exemplary work within the realm of filmmaking.
The winners emerged from a pool of 16 features and 4 immersive projects in development showcased at CineMart, alongside 4 features and 2 immersive projects nearing completion that participated in the second edition of the Darkroom work-in-progress program.
Alessia Acone, Head of IFFR Pro (a.i.), expressed, “The diversity of projects at our co-production market has reached unprecedented levels, encompassing a wide array of stories from various countries and spanning different mediums and production stages. Immersive media projects and the return of Darkroom have become integral components, addressing the evolving landscape of film and media. IFFR Pro remains a platform attuned to industry needs, nurturing the avant-garde, visionary, and groundbreaking. We extend our gratitude to all partners for their support.”
The IFFR Pro Days 2024 officially concluded on Wednesday, January 31, following an extensive program that included four talent development initiatives: Rotterdam Lab, Creative Producer Indaba, BoostNL, and Launchpad. Notably, Rotterdam Lab welcomed over 100 emerging professionals, with five producers selected for the first time through an open call, bringing the cohort to 70 producers.
The Pro Hub featured nine Pro Dialogues industry panels, addressing issues ranging from impact producing (in collaboration with ACE Producers) to African film criticism and genre filmmaking. Throughout the festival, the Hubert Bals Fund played an active role, conducting a closed think tank and offering advice and informal guidance to emerging filmmaking talent.
The IFFR Pro 2024 winners:
4DR Studios Award
- Winner: *The World Came Flooding In*, directed by Isobel Knowles & Van Sowerwine, Australia.
ArteKino International Award
- Winner: *A Distant House Smokes on the Horizon*, directed by Shengze Zhu, China, United States.
Eurimages New Lab Awards
- *Outreach Award*: *Duchampiana*, directed by Lilian Hess, France, Germany.
- *Innovation Award*: *Cherub*, directed by Barbara Rupik, Poland.
**Filmmore Post-production Award
- Winner: *Les Diplomates*, directed by Andreas Fontana, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Wouter Barendrecht Award
- Winner: *Cherub*, directed by Barbara Rupik, Poland.
VIPO Award
- Winner: *Alumbre*, directed by Alejandro Telémaco Tarraf, Spain.
