We are pleased to unveil the Winners of the 17th edition of the Millenium Festival this Sunday, April 6, 2025.

International Competition

Objectif d’Or (Best Film)

– WHEN HARMATTAN BLOWS by Edyta Wroblewska

This film, of exceptional power, offers a poignant portrayal of a woman’s immense resilience. Through her journey, it delivers a universal cry for children’s rights. Driven by a precise and distinctive cinematic approach, the film—despite its harrowing themes—remains radiant. The main protagonist, beautiful and profoundly human, serves as a beacon of hope.

Objectif d’argent (Best Film on Sustainable Development)

– THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH by Reabetswe Moeti-Vogt

A well-accomplished film, showing that in a country facing a concentration of development bottlenecks, the first step is to improve mental health and life balance through a creative solution. The film also shows that a determined and passionate individual can make a sustainable difference and promote change.

The prize is accompanied by a computer donated by Microlab. This prize will be given to Dr. Dixon Chibanda to support his project and the community of grandmother therapists in Zimbabwe. We would like to express our deep gratitude to Microlab for their valuable support of the festival.

Objectif de bronze (The Best Film on Human Rights)

– SUDAN, REMEMBER US by Hind Meddeb

The award for the best film that deals with human rights – highlights how the unity and the vision of a young generation, those risking their safety confronting military violence, can grow to a powerful movement that marks the history of their country.

Prix Spécial du Jury

– YINTAH by Jennifer Wickham, Brenda Nichell and Michael Toledano

It is an impactful story which has a particular significance in today’s climate emergency. It’s a brave film with the filmmakers risking their own safety to stand next to those who are fighting to defend their land.

Cinéfemme Prize

– WHEN HARMATTAN BLOWS by Edyta Wroblewska

The Cinéfemme Jury has decided to award a documentary that highlights the courageous journey of a young woman who is as impressive as she is inspiring. Impressive for the strength of character she shows as she confronts the demons of her past without bitterness or resentment.

The film was thus awarded a prize of 1,000€, a recognition of its powerful impact and the quality of its message. We would like to sincerely thank CinéFemme for this distinction and their continued support of female talent in cinema.

Young Vision Competition

– THE FISHING BOATS OF KAYAR by Álvaro Hernández Blanco

The Young Jury has chosen to award an exceptional documentary, distinguished both by the depth of its themes—addressed with rare humanity—and by the diversity of perspectives it presents.

Belgian Competition

Best Belgian Film

– LES FANTÔMES DES PROFONDEURS by Annick Ghijzelings

The jury was deeply moved by Annick Ghijzelings’ approach. With Les Fantômes des profondeurs, the filmmaker continues her exploration of a cinematic vision that is as unique as it is inventive.

Best Belgian Author

– ROAD TO NOWHERE de Caroline d’Hondt

Caroline d’Hondt’s work weaves a subtle web between individual destinies and the vast wilderness of Iqaluit, a city undergoing economic upheaval. Through her perspective as a filmmaker, she explores with rare sensitivity contemporary tensions: the meeting of cultures, the redefinition of work, and the illusion of this “last frontier”—which has become a symbol of a drifting globalization, trapped in its own progressive vertigo.

This prize, worth 2,500€, is generously offered by the SCAM, and we warmly thank them for their essential support of Belgian cinema talent.

Special Jury Prize

The film with the most powerful social impact

– FEMMES PRÊTRES : VOCATIONS INTERDITES by Marie Mandy

This film deserves a prize as grand as the open arms of Christ. It moves us deeply. It tells an unfinished story: that of a confrontation, of an aspiration that is both profound and universal. The day the Church recognizes women’s call to the priesthood and their ordination, we will have taken, together, a huge step toward an equality that respects our identities.

Cinergie Award for Young Belgian Talents

– ENTRE NOS MAINS by Zoé-Lise Steenbeke

The Belgian Emerging Talent Award is presented by Cinergie, which highlights the winning film with dedicated promotion on its platform.

Prix BeTV

– LE GARÇON by Zabou Breitman & Florent Vassault

The BeTV prize, worth 3,500€, was awarded to the film LE GARÇON for its artistic quality and exceptional direction. We sincerely thank BeTV for their support.

PITCHING FORUM

• RTBF Award:

LE CHAMP, RUE DES GOUJONS, 1070 BRUXELLES by Celia Dessardo

Prize: 5,000€ in project development support.

• ARPI Award:

JAJA ET JUJU EN VOLIÈRE by Julie Peyrat

Prize: 4,000€ in administrative and creative support.

• Studio Chocolat-Noisette Award:

CU’MARE by Elisa Greco

Prize: 2,000€ in project development support.

• Studio Charbon Award:

STONES UNTOLD by Jonathan Cant

Prize: 3,000€ in services, including 4 hours of conforming, 2 days of color grading, and 1 ProRes master export.

• Ville de Bruxelles Award:

FEITÉ by Maria Hermosillo

A big thank you to all our partners for their valuable support and congratulations to the winners of the 17th edition of the Millenium Festival!