33 Independent Film Festival – Third Quarter Summary
In the third quarter of the 33 Independent Film Festival, we received over 100 films from 14 countries, showcasing a remarkable diversity of talent. The competition was fierce, with standout works from emerging filmmakers and seasoned professionals alike. The festival is proud to continue its tradition of bringing the very best in independent cinema to the forefront, and this quarter’s selections did not disappoint.
Festival Highlights
This quarter featured an exciting array of films, from cutting-edge short films to powerful performances and stunning cinematography. As with every edition, the festival emphasizes creativity, skill, and storytelling that resonate with audiences.
Awards and Recognition
The festival’s awards this quarter include:
- Best Short Film: BANYA directed by Dmitry Pasichnyuk
- Special Mention: THE BIG BOSS IN COURT directed by Zhou Zhaohuan
- Best Performance: Esther Huang for his performance in THE MEAL
- Special Mention for Best Actress: Malgorzata Rudzka for her performance in BELLS
- Best Directing: Yang Chaojie for THE LAST CELEBURIAL
- Best Screenplay: AKUN’S LIFE directed by Tianji Gu
- Best Cinematography: Dmitry Pasichnyuk for BANYA
- Best Sound: BELLS directed by Christine Jezior and Piotr Gromek
- Best Original Score: Oskar Jezior for BELLS
While there were no awards this quarter for Animation or Documentary, we would like to emphasize our commitment to high standards in every category. As we’ve said before, the 33 Independent Film Festival does not award prizes unless the works truly merit them. In this quarter, we did not find the exceptional films that met our high standards in these categories, and we would rather admit that than compromise on the quality of the festival.
About the Awards and Selection Process
The 33 Independent Film Festival’s selection process continues to uphold the highest standards of fairness and thoroughness. Every film is viewed by at least four members of our esteemed jury panel. This quarter, we are proud to announce updates to our jury lineup, which now includes:
- Chief Judge Wang Di – Recently nominated for the main competition at the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival
- Eno – Renowned Douban film critic and author
- Wang Heng – Professor at the Central Academy of Drama, expert in Chinese drama history, and independent screenwriter
- Jessica – Writer and non-litigation lawyer
- Ashley – Behavioral science PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and freelance writer
We are extremely grateful to these distinguished professionals for their dedication and expertise in helping us recognize the most deserving works from an incredibly competitive pool of submissions.
Festival Logistics and Jury Process
This quarter’s competition had 100+ films submitted from filmmakers around the world. With such a large number of incredible entries, we continued to ensure that each film was given its due attention. Every submission underwent a rigorous review process, and we are committed to selecting works that exemplify the best in innovative filmmaking and passionate storytelling. The winning films have all been carefully chosen to showcase the talent that drives the independent film world forward.
Final Thoughts
The third quarter of the 33 Independent Film Festival was a celebration of independent cinema at its finest. The winners this quarter not only displayed incredible technical skill, but their stories also resonated deeply with audiences and judges alike. We look forward to seeing where these talented filmmakers will go next and are excited for the upcoming awards ceremony where the best films of the year will compete for the grand title.
As always, we thank all participants for their creativity and passion. We extend special gratitude to our sponsors, MOMA and Viltrox, whose support made this festival possible.
We eagerly anticipate the fourth quarter of the festival and look forward to bringing you even more unforgettable cinematic experiences!
