‘We Believe You’ Sweeps Seville European Film Festival as ‘DJ Ahmet,’ ‘All That’s Left of You’ Also Score Major Wins

The 22nd Seville European Film Festival concluded its edition from November 7-15, with the Belgian courtroom drama ‘We Believe You’ emerging as a dominant force, securing the prestigious Golden Giraldillo for Best Film and two additional Official Selection accolades. The festival also saw significant triumphs for ‘DJ Ahmet’ and ‘All That’s Left of You’, underscoring a vibrant celebration of European cinematic talent.

‘We Believe You’ Dominates the Official Selection

The debut feature from co-directors Charlotte Devillers and Arnaud Dufeys, ‘We Believe You’, made a notable impact by claiming the top prize, the Golden Giraldillo for Best Film. Its success extended to individual recognitions, with the film also winning the award for Best Screenplay and Myriem Akheddiou receiving Best Actress for her compelling performance. This trio of awards solidified its position as a significant European discovery of the year.

Set almost entirely within a Belgian courthouse, the film features a near hour-long custody hearing presented in real-time. The narrative centers on Alice, a mother embroiled in a fight to protect her children from their father, navigating a system that persistently scrutinizes her actions. The jury lauded the film’s courage in transforming a procedural custody hearing into a collective examination, praising Devillers and Dufeys’ script for its ability to build tension through subtle gestures and silences, gradually unveiling the underlying trauma of the case. Akheddiou’s portrayal of Alice was particularly highlighted for its blend of restraint and raw emotion, described as a performance that “clings” to the viewer. Produced by Belgium’s Makintosh Films, ‘We Believe You’ is managed globally by Paris-based The Party Film Sales, with distribution in Spain handled by arthouse labels Filmin and Karma Films. The film also shared Seville’s Aamma Women in Focus Award with Prïncia Car’s ‘The Girls We Want’.

‘DJ Ahmet’ and ‘All That’s Left of You’ Score Major Wins

Beyond the top honors, other films garnered substantial recognition. The festival’s Grand Jury Prize was awarded to ‘DJ Ahmet’, the inaugural feature by North Macedonian director Georgi M. Unkovski. This coming-of-age dramedy, a European co-production, follows a 15-year-old boy in a conservative rural community who discovers electronic music. Newcomer Arif Jakup received the Best Actor award for his fresh and natural performance, balancing awkwardness with burgeoning self-confidence.

Cherien Dabis, a U.S. filmmaker of Palestinian descent, received Best Director for ‘All That’s Left of You’. Dabis not only directed and wrote the film but also co-starred in this multi-generational saga, which chronicles three generations of a Palestinian family from 1948 to 2022. The jury commended Dabis’ “ambitious direction” and “sensitive gaze on trauma.”

Craft Achievements and Other Noteworthy Wins

Several technical and specialized awards were also distributed. Daniel Vidal Toche’s debut feature, ‘The Anatomy of the Horses’ (‘La anatomía de los caballos’), earned a double victory, with Angello Faccini recognized for Best Cinematography and Juan Pablo Garay for Best Production Design. The Swiss hospital thriller ‘Late Shift’, directed by Petra Volpe, received the Editing award for Hansjörg Weissbrich, acknowledged for maintaining tension through long takes and precise cutting while preserving the film’s human element.

In the Puerta América Award category, which highlights films representing their countries in the international feature race, Joachim Trier’s Norwegian family drama ‘Sentimental Value’ was chosen. This film, a Cannes Grand Prix winner, explores two sisters reconnecting with their estranged, celebrated filmmaker father as he attempts a career comeback. Other notable sidebar winners included Franco-Egyptian filmmaker Namir Abdel Messeeh’s autofiction ‘Life After Siham’ for Best Film in the Embrujo sidebar, and ‘Little Amélie’, a French-Belgian drama, which won the Audience Award for Best Film in the EFA Selection.

Seville’s Growing Industry Presence and Honored Figures

The festival also reinforced its industry platform through the expanded Frame Sevilla program. This initiative facilitated over 30 activities, including roundtables, masterclasses, pitching sessions, and networking events, drawing a diverse mix of producers, sales agents, broadcasters, and streamers from across Europe. Partnerships, such as the strategic alliance with RTVE as its public broadcaster, underscore Seville’s ambition to become a central hub for European film.

The Giraldillos of Honor, the festival’s tribute awards, recognized four influential figures: Juliette Binoche, Costa-Gavras, Jim Sheridan, and local hero Alberto Rodríguez. Rodríguez, a key figure in the ‘Nuevo Cine Andaluz’, received his honor at the opening gala, emphasizing the collective efforts of filmmakers who transformed Seville into a production hub.

Conclusion

The 22nd Seville European Film Festival showcased a diverse array of cinematic talent, with ‘We Believe You’ leading the charge in a competitive year. The significant wins for ‘DJ Ahmet’ and ‘All That’s Left of You’, alongside numerous craft awards and a strengthened industry presence, highlight the festival’s role as a vital platform for European cinema. The event continues to bridge artistic prestige, talent discovery, and industry deal-making, solidifying Seville’s position as a crucial European film destination.