The closing night of the Amsterdam Independent Film Festival 2023, now in its 6th year, took place this past Saturday evening. As is tradition, the festival took place at Amsterdam’s LAB111 — the cult cinema located in a former anatomical pathology hospital — where it screened an eclectic selection of independent films from local and international filmmakers. Festival Director Kris De Meester looks back: "I was delighted by the vibrant turnout and the heartening response from our audience to the eclectic collection of independent films from around the world. Angela Chen's 'Slaps' drew hearty amusement, and her presence during the screening added to the excitement. Erik Sémashkin's 'Nature Attack' left the audience intrigued and craving for more. Rex Shannon's 'European Man...American Beach' had the crowd erupting in laughter, while Ahmad Alyaseer's 'Our Males and Females' moved hearts profoundly. Emotions are the essence of cinema, and this festival exemplified the ability of film to evoke them. It was a pleasure to witness our audience laugh, ponder, and be moved by the artistry on display."

 

The Amsterdam Independent Film Festival is excited to share with you today the 2023 award winners. The jury panel has chosen the following films as this year's finest:

 

Best Narrative Feature Film:
Hurrah, we are still alive! (Poland) by Agnieszka Polska

 

Best Documentary Feature Film: 

Nobody Knows Casper (Denmark) by René Odgaard

 

Best Narrative Short Film: 

Bazigaga (France) by Jo Ingabire Moys

 

Best Documentary Short Film: 

The Mechanics of Fluids (France) by Gala Hernández López

 

Best Director: 

Our Males and Females (Jordan) by Ahmad Alyaseer

 

Best Acting: 

Eliane Umuhire in Bazigaga (France) by Jo Ingabire Moys

 

Best Animated Film: 

Nature Attack (Ukraine) by Erik Sémashkin

 

Best Experimental Film: 

Kiss/Crash (United Kingdom) by Adam Cole

 

Best Super Short Film

Slaps (United States) by Angela Chen

 

Best Music Video: 

Electric Shoes (Germany) by Dimitris Argyriou

 

Best Dance Film: 

Rum 444 (Sweden) by Peter Svenzon

 

Best Dutch Film: 

The Last Day (Netherlands) by Sander Blom

 

The Amsterdam Independent Film Festival would like to thank LAB111 and Tarkovski Agency for their continued support, and all guests for coming out to enjoy another week full of independent cinema. See you all next year!