LIFF 2024: FEATURE & SHORT COMPETITION WINNERS

The winners of the LIFF 2024 short and feature film competitions have now been announced. We want to say a huge thank you to our Jurors of competition, find out more about them here.

Constellation competition champions the best new, trailblazing cinema from around the world and the Fanomenon competition showcases mind-expanding new genre cinema. 

LIFF SHORTS celebrates the short film form in all its glory, with discoveries from around the world, across the UK and here in Yorkshire. 

The features audience award winner will be announced Sunday 17th November. 

Constellation Feature Film Competition

WINNER: The Fable, directed by Raam Reddy
Jury Statement: The jury was spellbound by Raam Reddy’s lyrical homage to old tales passed through generations and made always prescient through the steady rhythms and the undeniable truths of life. The film spoke to notions of colonialism and labour relations through the gentle yet effective hand of magical realism, guiding the viewer through this tangible yet almost fairy-like land. The luscious 35mm cinematography, from faces hiding in the nooks and crannies of a shed to the small feet of children running through wood and leaves alike, was projected beautifully into the big screen, reminding us of the possibilities and the joys of the cinematic experience, made all the better when shared. No other film felt as fitting a choice for the Constellation Competition Grand Prize than this inventive, entrancing film about stories carried by stars and we hope that more and more audiences will be as lucky as we were to experience it as big as possible.

SPECIAL MENTION: Loveable, directed by Lilja Ingolfsdottir
Jury Statement: We were struck by Helga Guren’s central performance, who expertly evaluates the elusiveness of memory and the all-encompassing weight of grief and loss. In a film about reevaluation and reinvention, Guren gave a mesmerising turn, which takes us on a journey about how much courage it takes to deconstruct your most primal reactions to not only the ones around you but your very self. While this may present itself as a film about marriage, it unravels as a much more complex look at human nature — at once irresistible and castigating, but luckily to us all, always subject to change when held by the loving hands of time.

SPECIAL MENTION: Toxic, directed by Saule Bliuvait
Jury Statement: The track shot of a young girl dancing freely in the meadows at twilight as her friends giggle inside an abandoned car is one of the most striking images we’ve seen in this year’s competition, a sliver of precious respite amongst the gruelling reality of this corner of the world Bliuvaitė seems to know so well and is so generous in guiding us through. The jury found the performances by the young cast to be as accomplished as the film’s sharp sense of place and time, made all the more impressive by a combination of tight editing and a lived-in work of production and costume design.

Fanomenon Feature Film Competition 

WINNER: She Loved Blossoms More, directed by Yannis Vesleme
Jury Statement: The jury were blown away by the creativity that went into building the world of this genre bending masterpiece. The direction, practical FX, soundtrack and performances really stood out. This is destined to become a weird cult classic for generations to come.

SPECIAL MENTION: U Are the Universe, directed by Pavlo Ostrikov
Jury Statement: The jury would like to recognise this tale of resilience, in times where extraordinary resilience is needed. Every department shined in this heartfelt sci-fi.

SPECIAL MENTION: Else, directed by Thibault Emin
Jury Statement: This film was a favourite of the jury, and we would like to recognise the human teams that worked on the excellent production design, visual FX and practical FX in Else. 

British Short Film Competition

WINNER: Sleepyhead
Directed by Milly Garnier
Jury Statement: For its thoughtful depiction of life with chronic illness and the long waits for diagnosis in our healthcare care system, this ambitious short tackles the issue of adjusting to life with low energy in a powerful, humourous and creative way that makes you think about the people around you and their experiences with chronic with illness, we award Sleepyhead the British Short Film Award.

SPECIAL MENTION: Bathsheba
Directed by Myah Asha Jeffers
Jury Statement: This cinematically pleasing short evokes the repercussions of grief on one's life with a powerful performance from the lead actress that takes you on her emotional journey overcoming loss. 

SPECIAL MENTION: Space Plug
Directed by Marcus Anthony Thomas
Jury Statement: We give an honourabe mention to Space Plug for its homage to 2001 Space Odessey and for pushing sci-fi boundaries in a short film, which we've never seen before. 

Louis Le Prince International Short Film Competition

WINNER: An Orange From Jaffa 
Directed by Mohammed Almughanni 
Jury Statement: We were captivated by this deeply human, devastatingly timely story, tensely constructed within a microcosm. The filmmaking subtleness in contrasting everyday human relationships within a scenario that feels extraordinary from an outside perspective, feels relevant and affecting. Its self contained representation of two very different people with similarities, its creation of intimacy between strangers and its uncertainty narrative really stood out and was also a great exploration of identity related to where is home and belonging.

SPECIAL MENTION: Sirenes - Mermaids
Directed by Sarah Malléon 
Jury Statement: We love that it lies in between reality and fantasy across both personalities of the father and daughter which felt extremely atmospheric yet lonely and otherworldly. We were also so enchanted and especially moved by the performances brought out of Jade Cyrille who played the child, Soraya.

SPECIAL MENTION: L’avance
Directed by Djiby Kebe
Jury Statement: Felt it was a unique and nuanced way to present the ambiguity between cultural and social differences in the world of emerging artists, exploring the bridge between what is art and what is personal. The frantic shooting style reflected its intention so well and we felt it was a stand out in originality when presenting a deep complex subject. 

Yorkshire Short Film Competition

WINNER: Paula Says Hi
Directed by James C Thompson
Jury Statement: This film provides a glimpse into the world of cosplayer in a warm and  inviting way. It gives you the drive to push forward and be yourself. We the loved intimacy and rawness between director and subject and the clear dialogue between two sides of one human. We hope says Paula Says Hi to us at the next comic con. 

SPECIAL MENTION: Sandcastles
Directed by Meredith Stewart
Jury Statement: With its simple but powerful animation we award a special mention to Sandcastles for a creative way of tackling the overwhelming feeling of grief in a colorful sunny world.

Fanomenon Shorts Competition

WINNER: Marriage Unplugged
Directed by Florine & Kim Nüesch
Jury Statement: This is a film that highlights the importance of retaining human connection in an age where our lives are increasingly digital. Whilst this is a story that has been told for decades, the filmmakers found a way to add their original spin, through a wholesome and hilarious narrative. 

This short film is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in the UK. 

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER: Fishmonger
Directed by Neil Ferron 

SPECIAL MENTION: Be Right Back
Directed by Lucas Paulino and Gabe Ibáñez
Jury Statement: This new take on the classic haunted house tale had the jury terrified. The prospect of not being able to trust the ones you love is a universally feared one; and this film weaves a taunt visceral experience of a young girl (backed by an amazing performance) experience this at her front door. 

SPECIAL MENTION: Belloe
Directed by Jayden Rathsam Hua
Jury Statement: The sound design and imagery of this short film were nightmare inducing to the jury. The film explores the theme of loss and grief attached to motherhood, in beautiful and haunting ways. 

Queer Shorts Competition

WINNER: ¡Beso de lengua!
Directed by José Luis Zorrero

SPECIAL MENTION: ¡Salsa!
Directed by Antonina Kerguelén Román

SPECIAL MENTION: Manting
Directed by Shuyao Chen

World Animation Competition

WINNER: Shadows
Directed by Rand Beiruty

SPECIAL MENTION: The Girl and the Pot
Directed by: Valentina Homem

SPECIAL MENTION: Canard 
Directed by Elie CHAPUIS

Documentary Short Film Competition

WINNER: At That Very Moment
Directed by Federico Luis Tachella and Rita Pauls
Jury Statement: We’re thrilled to announce that At That Very Moment is our competition winner. This film stood out for its raw honesty and the openness it brings to the screen. There’s a purity in the child’s perspective that feels both deeply human and universally resonant. The balance between free-flowing reflection and the skillful construction of the film is remarkable. It takes what at first appear to be ordinary moments in a child's commentary and expands them to reveal a vastness. Among a strong selection of films, this one shines as an innovative and refreshing standout.

SPECIAL MENTION: for here am i sitting in a tin can far above the world
Directed by Gala Hernández López
Jury Statement: We’d like to give a special mention to for here i am sitting in a tin can far above the world. This film captivated us with its striking, playful contortions and left us with a enlightened yet disorienting reflection as the credits rolled. Its exciting manipulation of form created a fractal and near psychedelic experience that truly stood out.

Leeds Music Video Competition

WINNER: The Rider by Matthew Herbert & London Contemporary Orchestra
Directed by Sebastian Lelio
Jury Statement: Immediately striking, beautifully framed and making rich use of source material set within clearly defined boundaries. Sebastian Leilo’s colourised depiction of a man bonding with horses using the Doma India technique makes for a mesmerising visual accompaniment to Matthew Herbert & London Contemporary Orchestra’s serene musical composition.

SPECIAL MENTION: Wonderbread by Steak Blake
Directed by Al Brown
Jury Statement: Funny, jerky and jaunty. One for the pigeon fanciers. A nice nod to music videos of the 90s, Wonderbread has a fun eccentricity that makes best use of a microbudget. It shows how you can express your music meaningfully in a playful way.  

LIFF Screendance Competition

JURY WINNER: This Madness of Loving
Directed by Rola Shamas
Jury Statement: The Jury thought that The Madness of Loving is a powerful film, fascinating to watch. It is enigmatic and does not explain itself, thereby inviting different interpretations. The film could be read as a metaphor for individual and communal struggles against oppression, and it resonates very much with the situation in the Middle East. There is excellent play with light and dark and a strong, consistent physicality which is well supported by the sound. The film allows for a highly personal viewing experience, encouraging audiences to project their own reflections and insights. With a haunting visual style and resonant performance, The Madness of Loving is a cinematic exploration that lingers long after the screen fades to black.

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER: YES!
Directed by Madli Lääne

SPECIAL MENTION: Corpus And The Wandering
Directed by Jo Roy
Jury Statement: The Jury was also impressed by Corpus and the Wandering and would like to award a special mention. The video is highly imaginative in its use of a familiar, ubiquitous technology (the I-phone), pushing the technology to create original and engaging imagery about being a body and how we are in the world. The film opens up a fresh perspective on how we interact with our surroundings, making it a poignant and thought-provoking piece. The Jury commends the film for its creativity, depth, and the new possibilities it suggests for storytelling through common, accessible technology.