The winners of the Grossmann Fantastic Film & Wine Festival 2023
On Saturday, the 24th of June, the 19th edition of Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival came to a conclusion. At the closing ceremony, the following awards were given.
HONORARY VICIOUS CAT for outstanding contribution to genre cinema
The Honorary Vicious Cat was received by director John McTiernan.
VICIOUS CAT for best feature film:
MEGALOMANIAC
Belgium; 2022
Directed by: Karim Ouelhaj
The award was received by director Karim Ouelhaj.
Best Fantastic Feature Chosen by John McTiernan:
IRATI
Spain, France; 2022
Directed by: Paul Urkijo Alijo
The award was received by director Paul Urkijo Alijo.
NOISY CAT for best music documentary:
WHAT YOU COULD NOT VISUALISE: REMA-REMA
Canada; 2022
Directed by: Marco Porsia
Special Mention:
ITALO DISCO: THE SPARKLING SOUNDS OF THE 80S
Italia, Germany; 2021
Directed by: Alessandro Melazzini
SLAK’S VICIOUS CAT for best short film:
PERFECT CITY: THE MOTHER
USA, China; 2022
Directed by: Shengwei Zhou
Special Mention:
FLESH OF GOD / CARNE DE DIOS
Argentina, Mexico; 2022
Režija: Patricio Plaza
Méliès d’argent Award – Short Films @ Grossmann Fantastic Film & Wine Festival
The competition is organized in collaboration with the Méliès International Festivals Federation (MIFF) and the award goes to the best European short film. The winner of the competition also wins the nomination to the Méliès d’or annual competition.
“SANDWICH CAT” by David Fidalgo (Spain, 2023)
David lives alone with his kitty, Sandwich Cat. It seemed like an ordinary day, but an unexpected visit will lead him to a crucial reflection to humanity.
Awarded by the Méliès jury: Jury: Severin Fiala, Igor Stanojević, Robbie Davidson.
The winner of the Melies d’argent award manages to effortlessly blend the absurd with the serious. It’s impossible to not feel involved whilst placing yourself within the situation of saving the human race from extinction (from an Alien masquerading in the form of a cute cat with a Sandwich on its head). This jury is pleased to award the Melies d’argent to Sandwich Cat by David Fidalgo.
Special Mention goes to
THE SABOTEUR / LE SABOTEUR
Finland; 2022
Directed by: Anssi Kasitonni
This film manages to simultaneously display both the ‘making of’ and the narrative parts, with the use of split screen in a way that seems distinctly unique, highlighting what may look like primitive special effects offscreen – but onscreen the results are incredibly well executed. The Special Mention of the Melies D’argent competition goes to The Saboteur (Le Saboteur) by Anssi Kasitonni.
Don’t forget to watch the GROSSMANN Special on our Méliès Fantastic Hub!