The MIA announces its award winners
- The Rome-based industry event has wrapped, boasting a 10% increase in attendance levels
It’s a wrap for the tenth edition of the MIA – International Audiovisual Market, which unspooled in Rome from 14-18 October. This year, the gathering welcomed over 2,800 audiovisual professionals from 60 different countries, thus marking a 10% increase in attendance in comparison with 2023 figures. Moreover, the MIA received over 600 projects for its Co-Production Market and Pitching Forum, representing a 20% increase compared to 2023 and a 12.5% hike in the number of countries of origin, from all continents, which jumped from 80 to 90. Across the ten editions of the event, over 100 “Made in MIA” audiovisual works have been produced after taking part in the market.
“Thanks to its strong identity and credibility, the MIA has now earned an important place in the agendas of international operators. It is a unique curatorial market, a strategic player in the co-production market, and a fundamental driving force for the financing, distribution and circulation of works and talents. […] It is a mirror for the transformation of the audiovisual sector, capable of capturing and anticipating changes with particular attention to technological innovation for the creative industries,” commented MIA head Gaia Tridente.
The awards ceremony was held on 18 October. This edition sported the brand-new MIA Development Awards, established to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the market and handed out to four projects selected in the four categories of the Co-Production Market and Pitching Forum. These titles were decided on by international juries of industry experts. The accompanying cash prizes will back the development of the winning work in each category.
First, the MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animation Project went to Big Bang Parade (Belgium/Poland/France), directed by Hermien Verstraeten, Sine Özbilge, Nienke Deutz, Karolien Raeymaekers, Imge Özbilge, Britt Raes and Martyna Koleniec, and staged by Annemie Degryse for Lunanime. The film, characterised by a unique graphic style, follows two children who open a chest containing a bag of marbles – each marble holding a tiny world inhabited by colourful creatures. The jury, made up of Vicky Schroderus (YLE Children & Youth, Finland), Alexandre Hénin (Bayard Jeunesse Production, France) and Beth Gardiner (CBEEBIES, UK), praised its unique animation styles and the opportunities it offered for new female directorial talent.
Next, the MIA Development Award for Outstanding Doc Project went to Reborn - Perfect Love (Italy) by Giovanni Conte and Francesco Pascucci, produced by Nicola Maiello and Camilla Gazzola, of Amartia Film, and Riccardo Neri and Vincenzo Filippo, of Lupin Film. The documentary explores the phenomenon of hyper-realistic reborn dolls and the emotional bonds that women form with them. The jury, composed of Björn Jensen (Ginger Foot Films, Germany), Pamela Martinez (Limonero Films, Spain) and Myriam Weil (Federation Studios, France), were struck by its empathetic presentation and emotional depth.
The MIA Development Award for Outstanding Drama Project was bestowed upon The Night Watch (Netherlands), penned by Steven Friedman and produced by Edvard van't Wout for Continent Studios. This magical tale, set in Amsterdam, revolves around friendship and buried mysteries. Jury members Manuel Alduy (France Télévisions, France), Marianne Furevold-Boland (NRK, Norway) and Laura Abril (Buendía Estudios, Spain) highlighted its engaging concept and potential for universal appeal.
Meanwhile, the MIA Development Award for Outstanding Film Project went to Death in Your Eyes (Spain), directed by Guillermo de Oliveira, and produced by Silvia Fuentes (Sétima) and Nuria Landete García for Sideral Cinema. The jury, composed of Robert Aaronson (Cohen Media Group, USA), Jennyfer Gautier (Luxbox, France) and Benjamin Kramer (CAA, USA), praised the movie’s subtle film-noir narrative and psychological depth.
Aya in the Desert (Spain), directed by Julia Horrillo and produced by Norbert Llaràs, of Alhena Production, scooped the Paramount New Stories Award. The story follows a 13-year-old Ivorian girl disguised as a boy as she crosses the Strait of Gibraltar. The jury, including Fatih Abay (European Film Academy), Mounia Aram (Mounia Aram Company) and Leonardo Barrile (Samarcanda Film), praised its diversity and social impact.
The GEDI Visual Award went to Pulling My Own Strings (Italy), directed by Alessandra Cataleta and produced by Anna Frandino (Officina 38, Cinema Key). The film celebrates Sicilian puppeteer Anna Cuticchio and her struggles in a male-dominated field. The jury, composed of Paolo De Michele, Francesco Fasiolo and Laura Pertici (Gedi Group), commended the strong female protagonist and her inspiring life story.
Father/Otec (Czech Republic/Poland/Slovakia) snagged the Screen International Award. The project is being directed by Tereza Nvotová, and is produced by Veronika Paštéková, Anton Škreko (Danae Production), Karel Chvojka and Marta Gmosińska, of Lava Films. The jury particularly highlighted the film’s emotional intensity and technical mastery.
The WIFTMI Award went to Uglycomics (Italy), based on Josephine Yole Signorelli’s graphic novel trilogy and produced by Riccardo Russo for Bim Produzione. The project portrays a young transgender woman’s journey to self-discovery.
Finally, the 12th Carlo Bixio Award for Best Series Concept went to Chukar by Giovanni Mauriello, a contemporary story set in the Roman suburbs, whilst the Award for Best Screenplay was shared by Double Penalty by Annalisa De Filippis and Eleonora Ghezzi, and The Cloud by Gianluca Tria and Lorenzo Garofalo, on account of them tackling challenging themes with originality.
Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:
MIA Development Award for Outstanding Animation Project
Big Bang Parade - Hermien Verstraeten, Sine Özbilge, Nienke Deutz, Karolien Raeymaekers, Imge Özbilge, Britt Raes, Martyna Koleniec (Belgium/Poland/France)
Production: Annemie Degryse (Lunanime)
MIA Development Award for Outstanding Doc Project
Reborn-Perfect Love - Giovanni Conte, Francesco Pascucci (Italy/Belgium)
Production: Amartia Film, Harald House Belgium BV, Lupin Film
MIA Development Award for Outstanding Drama Project
The Night Watch - Steven Friedman (Netherlands)
Production: Continent Studios
MIA Development Award for Outstanding Film Project
Death in Your Eyes - Guillermo de Oliveira (Spain)
Production: Sétima, Sideral Cinema
Paramount New Stories Award
Aya in the Desert - Julia Horrillo (France/Latvia/Spain)
Production: Les Films du Lézard, Rija Films, Alhena Production
GEDI Visual Award
La Vita Che Mi Diedi/Pulling My Own Strings - Alessandra Cataleta (Italy)
Production: Atomic, Officina 38, Cinema Key
Screen International Award
Father/Otec - Tereza Nvotová (Slovakia/Czech Republic/Poland)
Production: Veronika Paštéková, Anton Škreko (Danae Production), Karel Chvojka, Miloš Lochman (Moloko Film), Marta Gmosińska, Mariusz Włodarski (Lava Films)
WIFTMI Award
Uglycomics - Josephine Yole Signorelli, Teresa Ciabatti, Laura Luchetti, Michele Pellegrini (Italy)
Production: Riccardo Russo (Bim Produzione, a Wild Bunch company)
Carlo Bixio Award for Best Series Concept
Chukar - Giovanni Mauriello (Italy)
Carlo Bixio Award for Best Screenplay (ex aequo)
Double Penalty - Annalisa De Filippis, Eleonora Ghezzi (Italy)
The Cloud - Gianluca Tria, Lorenzo Garofalo (Italy)
