The winners of Imagine 2024

The award winners were announced during the closing nightf of the 40th Imagine Fantastic Film Festival. Tallulah H. Schwab’s Dutch film Mr. K – also the opening film of the festival – won the Melies d’argent for best European feature film. The Melies d’argent for best European short film also went to a Dutch production: Barlebas by Malu Janssen. The Sea Devil Award went to the Guatemalan film Rita by Jayro Bustamante.

The double wins for Mr K and Barlebas are the crowning glory of a strong year for Dutch fantastic cinema.

And the Melies d’argent winners of the ​Imagine Fantastic Film Festival are…

The winner of the Méliès d’Argent Award for Best Fantastic Genre Feature Film at the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival is “Mr. K” by Tallulah H. Schwab (The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, 2024).

Crispin Glover shines as a headstrong, curious and desperate anti-hero in this surreal, Kafkaesque nightmare.
Travelling magician Mr. K. checks into a dilapidated hotel intending to stay for one night only. But the next morning, K. can’t seem to find the exit. In the labyrinth of hallways, populated by a bunch of extremely eccentric guests, checking out is simply impossible.
Tallulah Schwab’s second feature is an homage to Franz Kafka’s The Trial. For Mr. K., the world around him becomes increasingly difficult to understand: every encounter leads to even more chaos. Maarten Piersma and Manolito Glas’ production design transforms the hotel into a surreal nightmare, perfectly framing each bizarre situation and mysterious character. Crispin Glover shines as the alternatingly headstrong, curious and desperate anti-hero Mr K., with whom we first share his surprise and finally his frustration. Because no matter how colourful and beautiful the hotel is, there’s no way out.

The jury for the Melies d’argent for best European feature film consisted of journalist Joyce Roodnat, film producer Marleen Slot and director Michael Middelkoop. From the jury report:
“We chose the film that took us elsewhere, into strange territory, known and unknown at the same time. And when the film released us, we were not only satisfied, we understood our own lives better.
We chose the film that is surreal and current. Where refugees are silent and deniers dance on the edge of cookers. This jury is excited to award the Mélies d’argent to Mr K.“

The winner of the Méliès d’Argent Award for Best European Fantastic Genre Short Film at the Imagine Fantastic Film Festival is “Barlebas” by Malu Janssen (NL, 2024).

When Heylken is accused of witchcraft, she resists, her headstrong free spirit and powerful voice inspiring young Griet. A mystery and period drama set around 1595, centered on the persecution of witches in the Dutch South.

The jury for the Melies d’argent for best European short film consisted of filmmaker and actress Juliette van Ardenne, film programmer Miranda van Gelder and journalist and author Barend de Voogd. From the jury report:
“The poetic images and beautiful sound design bring to life a world you can not only see and hear, but also smell and feel. The whole film shows an awful lot of attention and love for detail.
At a very confident and calm pace, we are transported into a world, not even that far away from here, but long ago – while the film will continue to echo in your head for a very long time after it is over.“