19/09/2016 - The feature debut by Robin Pront, starring Kevins Janssens, Jeroen Perceval and Veerle Baetens, took home seven out of the ten awards it was competing for

The Ardennes [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Robin Pront
film profile] has won a record number of awards. The quality of the acting in the film was singled out particularly at the 2016 Ensors, as Kevin Janssens received the Best Actor Award and John Armoise Best Supporting Actor. This story of brotherly rivalry, set against a backdrop of impossible redemption and one’s inevitable destiny, also earned Robin Pront and his co-screenwriter, actor Jeroen Perceval (who also plays one of the brothers in the film), the Best Screenplay Award. The Ardennes is a gloomy film noir that starts off in the working-class areas of Ghent and winds up in the thick forests of the Ardennes. It seems that the Ensors jury particularly appreciated the film’s aesthetics, as they also crowned Roberechts Heyvaert (Best Cinematography), Gert Paredis (Best Production Design) and Catherine Van Bree (Best Costumes). The film, which was produced by Savage Film, enticed almost 150,000 viewers into Belgian theatres, and will represent the country at the Oscars. 

Nevertheless, The Ardennes missed out on one of the most coveted prizes – that of Best Director, which was given to duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah for Black [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fal…
interview: Martha Canga Antonio
film profile], their hard-hitting latest film. This dark, gritty urban romance also earned Fallah and El Arbi the Best Editing Award, which stands as a testament to the incredible energy exuded by the movie. Young Martha Canga Antonio, the real revelation of the film, also went home with the Ensor for Best Actress. 

Lastly, conspicuous by his absence on the winners’ list was Felix Van Groneningen, whose Belgica [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Artemio Benki, Sylvie Leray
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
film profile] nevertheless – and as was to be expected – snagged the Best Music Award, thanks to the work of group Soulwax. Lastly, we should note that The First, The Last [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bouli Lanners
film profile] by Bouli Lanners won the Best Co-production with French-speaking Belgium Award. 

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Film
The Ardennes [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Robin Pront
film profile] – Robin Pront 

Best Director
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah – Black [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fal…
interview: Martha Canga Antonio
film profile]

Best Screenplay
Robin Pront and Jeroen Perceval – The Ardennes

Best Actor
Kevin Janssens – The Ardennes

Best Actress
Martha Canga Antonio – Black

Best Supporting Actor
Jan Armoise – The Ardennes

Best Supporting Actress
Natalie Broods – Galloping Mind [+see also:
trailer
film profile]

Best Newcomer 
Tarek Halaby – Problemski Hotel [+see also:
trailer
film profile] 

Best Cinematography 
Roberechts Heyvaert – The Ardennes

Best Editing 
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah – Black 

Best Production Design 
Geert Paredis – The Ardennes 

Best Music 
Soulwax – Belgica [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Artemio Benki, Sylvie Leray
interview: Felix Van Groeningen
film profile] 

Best Costumes
Catherine Van Bree – The Ardennes 

Best Documentary 
Reach for the Sky – Wooyoung Choi and Steven Dhoet 

Best Short Film
Feel Sad for the Bunny – Kenneth Mercken 

Best Animated Short 
No Offense – Kris Borghs

Best Film for a Young Audience 
Helden van de zee – Diederd Esseldeurs 

Industry Award
The Ardennes – Robin Pront

Best French-language Co-production 
The First, The Last [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Bouli Lanners
film profile] – Bouli Lanners

(Translated from French)