The Luxembourg City Film Festival (LuxFilmFest, 5-15 March) has announced the winners of its 16th edition, once again confirming the event as one of the Grand Duchy’s key cinematic gatherings. With more than 22,000 people recorded as having visited the cinemas, LuxFilmFest announced a new record, as its overall attendance across all activities combined is expected to be close to 40,000 participants. This year's edition also welcomed Isabelle Huppert as guest of honour.

The international jury, chaired by Spanish filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen, and composed of Argentinian director Lisandro Alonso, British musician and actor Peter Doherty, Finnish actress Alma Pöysti, French actress Emmanuelle Béart, and Singaporean filmmaker and cinematographer Rae Lyn Lee, awarded the Grand Prix, valued at €10,000, to My Father’s Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr.

The jury stated of the film: “One movie resonated deeply with the jury for its profound humanity and the sensitivity with which it portrays its characters. It navigates a delicate and compelling balance between the personal and the political, allowing this intimate story to unfold within a broader social landscape. We were also struck by the poetic aesthetics of its images and a camera that invites us to experience the world through the characters’ own impressions of life. Although the film centres on a father and his sons, its gaze moves beyond the familiar clichés of patriarchy and instead reveals something deeply human, making space for vulnerability, tenderness and quiet understanding.”

The Documentary Award – by BGL BNP Paribas, accompanied by a cash prize of €5,000 – was granted to Memory by Vladlena Sandu. The jury praised the festival’s selection of ambitious films and singled out Sandu’s work for its deeply empathetic approach to generational trauma caused by war, particularly its impact on children. They highlighted the filmmaker’s courage in revisiting memories of Russia’s invasion of Chechnya and her ability to transform the chaos of the past into a powerful cinematic language, describing the feature as a universal manifesto against cycles of violence.

The FIPRESCI Award, presented by an international panel of critics under the auspices of the International Federation of Film Critics, went to Blue Heron by Sophy Romvari. The jury commended the film’s striking cinematography and its subtle deconstruction of chronology, noting how it sensitively explores mental-health issues and the impact of an undiagnosed teenage condition on an entire family.

The 2030 Award, presented by Luxembourg Aid & Development, was given to Amílcar by Miguel Eek. The jury praised the documentary for shedding light on the legacy of Amílcar Cabral, the revolutionary leader of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, emphasising its relevance to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including the fight against poverty, access to water and education, gender equality and health.

The Audience Award – by RTL – went to Tuner by Daniel Roher. Meanwhile, the Youth Jury Award – by Kinepolis – was bestowed upon Feels Like Home by Gábor Holtai, whose film impressed the student jury with its intense story of power, corruption and psychological manipulation. The School Jury Award was granted to Têtes Brûlées by Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama for its hopeful exploration of grief, while the Kids’ Jury Award went to Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake by Irene Iborra Rizo, praised for its expressive stop-motion animation and emotionally resonant storytelling.

Finally, the Best Immersive Experience Award in the Immersive Pavilion competition was presented to The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up by Singing Chen, with the jury applauding its innovative combination of technology, storytelling and poetry, which turns spectators into active participants within the narrative space.

Here is a list of the winners of the 16th Luxembourg City Film Festival:

Grand Prix
My Father’s Shadow - Akinola Davies Jr (UK/Ireland/Nigeria)

Documentary Award
Memory - Vladlena Sandu (France/Netherlands)

FIPRESCI Award
Blue Heron - Sophy Romvari (Canada/Hungary)

2030 Award
Amílcar - Miguel Eek (Spain/Portugal/France/Sweden/Cape Verde)

Audience Award
Tuner - Daniel Roher (USA)

Youth Jury Award
Feels Like Home - Gábor Holtai (Hungary)

School Jury Award
Têtes brûlées - Maja-Ajmia Yde Zellama (Belgium)

Kids’ Jury Award
Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake - Irene Iborra Rizo (Spain/France/Belgium/Switzerland/Chile)

Immersive Experience Award
The Clouds Are Two Thousand Meters Up - Singing Chen (Taipei/Germany)