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NIFFF 2017 Awards

Super Dark Times triumphs at the NIFFF in Neuchâtel

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- The American film by Kevin Phillips was awarded the prestigious “Narcisse” Award for Best Film at the 17th edition of the NIFFF. European films awarded include The Bar

Super Dark Times triumphs at the NIFFF in Neuchâtel
The Bar by Álex de la Iglesia

Super Dark Times by Kevin Phillips, the winner of the most prestigious prize of the NIFFF in Neuchâtel seduced audiences and critics alike. Set in the 90s, the film bluntly portrays the anguish and fears of a generation that has lost all its points of reference. European films awarded include The Bar [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alex de la Iglesia
film profile
]
 by Spaniard Álex de la Iglesia (which won the Silver Meliès Award for Best European Feature Film), Belgian film Angel [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Harry Cleven
film profile
]
 by Harry Cleven (Special Mention for Best European Feature Film), and French film Hostile [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
 by Mathieu Turi (Youth Award).

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Over nine days, the NIFFF pulled in no fewer than 37,000 festivalgoers (a thousand more than in 2016). A very positive result which pleased the organisers. The festival’s audience is a diverse one, bringing together genre film lovers (but not only) and industry professionals, who come together in Neuchâtel every year to share their passion and know-how.

Artistic director Anaïs Emery highlighted the success of important features of the programme, such as the highly-anticipated arrival of the enfant terrible of Japanese film, Takashi Miike: “the programme for 2017 showcases the current and future potential of the NIFFF: a festival with a unique and strong identity”.

In total, the 17th edition of the NIFFF hosted 94 feature films and 59 short films from 43 countries. 10 films were screened in their world premieres and 54 in their Swiss premieres. That’s without forgetting the 75 conferences and public meetings with artists.

The NIFFF will continue its activities even after the festival draws to a close thanks to NIFFF ON TOUR (autumn 2017). In this regard it should be pointed out that by the end of the 17th edition, the “Future Storyworlds VR: Call for projects” had attracted a number of key partners. The initiative reflected on the impact of new technologies on storytelling with a competition open to visionary and innovative projects (in relation to anticipation and the existential risks of technological developments). “Future Storyworlds VR (the fruit of a partnership between the NIFFF, Kenzan StudiosTHE Port at CERNCineGlobe and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy) will offer a select number of independent writers the chance to participate in a one-off workshop during which their scripts will be analysed with experts from the sector. Ten finalists will spend two days at CERN to test and develop their vision of dystopia and immersive VR experiences. Then three projects will be chosen to be developed in partnership with production studios specialised in virtual reality. Also not to be forgotten is that the NIFFF will be putting in an appearance at the VIFFF (Vevey  International Funny Film Festival) with the retrospective “Rions dans l’espace” (already held at the NIFFF, this retrospective will be further enriched at the VIFFF with a selection of new titles). 

List of winners from the NIFFF 2017 – 17th edition:

International Competition

Giger “Narcisse” Award for Best Film (International Competition)
Super Dark Times – Kevin Phillips (USA)

Silver Meliès Award for Best European Feature Film
The Bar [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Alex de la Iglesia
film profile
]
 – Álex de la Iglesia (Spain)

Special Mention
Angel [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Harry Cleven
film profile
]
 – Harry Cleven (Belgium/France)

NIFFF International Critics’ Award (International Competition) 
The Endless – Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead (USA)

Imaging The Future Award for Best Production Design (International Competition)
The Endless – Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead

Denis-De-Rougemont Youth Award (International Competition)
Hostile [+see also:
trailer
film profile
]
 – Mathieu Turi (France/Belgium/Morocco)

Best Asian Film Award (Asia Competition)
Trapped – Vikramaditya Motwane (India)

RTS Audience Award (International Competition & Asia Competition) 
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable – Takashi Miike (Japan)

H.R. Giger “Narcisse” Award for Best Short Film (Audience Award)
Die Brücke über den Fluss – Jadwiga Kowalska (Switzerland)

Silver Méliès Award for Best European Short Film  
Die Brücke über den Fluss – Jadwiga Kowalska (Switzerland)

Taurus Studio Award for Innovation (Swiss Short Film Competition) – CHF 2000 towards sound post-production
Sons of Bitches – Arnaud Baur (Switzerland) 

Fantastic Web Contest II
Le 5e Cavalier – Julien Dumont, Kennocha Baud, J.D. Schneider, DBFX Workshop (Switzerland)

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(Translated from Italian)

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