Saturday, 11 February
21:00-23:00
Atomium Awards Ceremony + Free Drink
Today we will announce the 2023 Atomium Film Awards! Eight films in different categories, chosen by this year's jury members, will be crowned with Belgian chocolate and thus edible medallions of the Atomium, made by 'Gault & Millau Finest Chocolatier' Wim Vyverman. The chocolate awards ceremony will be followed by more tasty treats, in the form of 7 short films hailing from all over the globe (see below, all selected films are in English and/or have English subtitles). After the screening, we offer a free drink, a good opportunity to network and chat about film!
LOCATION:
Cinema Galeries (Theatre 1)
26 Galerie de la Reine
1000 Brussel
FREE ENTRY:
Pre-registration for this screening has ended, but a few more tickets will become available at the cinema 10 minutes before the start.
WINDOW (SWEDEN) BY SARA KADEFORS
Synopsis: A middle-aged woman begins to watch a young man in a window across the street. The drama that takes place there makes her remember her own life as a young woman, a time that was both fantastic, and which she realizes, as the man's life becomes complicated, difficult, and painful. One day she is interrupted in her thoughts, and her life takes an unexpected turn. Running time: 00:11:40.
Selections/awards: Boston Short FF, Venice Film Week, Amsterdam Independent FF, Toronto Arthouse FF, and more.
WORLD'S BEST ANIMAL WELFARE (SWEDEN) BY ROBIN JONSSON
Synopsis: The Swedes pride themselves on animal welfare and believe it's the best in the world. But is it really? Here are three chickens in different parts of life in a factory farm to tell you their stories. In this film, Djurens Rätt shows you the reality chicken producers don't want you to see. Running time: 00:03:00.
IDOL (AUSTRALIA) BY ALEX WU
Synopsis: A young Chinese celebrity is called into an emergency meeting after a fan of his commits suicide. Running time: 00:18:30.
Selections/awards: Brooklyn FF (Spirit Award in Short Narrative, Outstanding Achievement in Performance (Best Male Actor), Sydney FF (Dendy Award for Best Australian Live-Action Short Film), Adelaide FF, Flickerfest International Short FF, Super Shorts London (Best Narrative Film), and more.
FREEWHEELIN' (NORWAY) BY FINN WALTHER
Synopsis: Constrained by his physical impairment, a boy in a wheelchair gets a wild idea when meeting a free-range hen. Freewheelin’ is a one minute story about restraints versus opportunities, and reaching for the stars in the spirit of Ikaros in Greek mythology. Running time: 00:01:20.
Selections/awards: Minimalen Short FF (Audience Award: Best 1 minute short film), Super Shorts LA.
I LOVE YOU DON'T LEAVE ME (USA) BY ALEX LEOMBRUNO
Synopsis: An absurdist drama following the endless torment experienced by a young woman dealing with an eating disorder. As she tries to cope with obsessive tendencies and routines, Ghillie, a looming swamp monster, follows close behind. Ghillie is the most prominent thing in Morgan’s life — that is, until she meets a strange neighbor while out jogging and invites her over for dinner. What ensues is a stressful encounter for Morgan as she tries to fight past the thoughts of Ghillie. Running time: 00:15:41.
Selections/awards: Producer's Night LA 2022, Boston Short FF, Super Shorts London (Best Actor), Toronto Arthouse FF (Best LGBTQ+ Film), and more.
THE DREAM MACHINE (FRANCE) BY MICHAEL WILLIAM WEST
Synopsis: A woman experiments with a Dream Machine, hoping to escape trouble. Within the light and dark of the machine, violent emotions awaken. 'The Dreamachine' was invented by the painter Brion Gysin and popularized by William S. Burroughs in order to live the great adventure of the dream. Michael William West, a fervent lover of esoterism, creativity, spiritualism and pop culture, pays tribute to the writer in a exceptional hallucinatory and visionary journey. Running time: 00:09:29.
Selections/awards: L'Etrange Festivale, Super Shorts Los Angeles (Best Experimental Film), Obskuur Ghent FF.
OUSMANE (CANADA) BY JORGE CAMAROTTI
Synopsis: Ousmane, a newly arrived immigrant living in Montreal, faces a challenging situation when he meets an elderly disoriented lady at the end of his workday. Running time: 00:25:09.
Selections/awards: Toronto International FF, Producer's Night LA (Film of the Year 2022), Amsterdam Independent FF, Boston Short FF, (Best Narrative Short Film), and more.