24/03/2025 - The Québec-based gathering has rewarded six further short-film productions with European involvement, including Rúnar Rúnarsson’s latest effort, O

The 29th edition of Regard – the Saguenay International Short Film Festival (19-23 March) was brought to a close on Sunday morning with the announcement of this year’s award winners. After screening more than 200 shorts and hosting over 450 guests, the festival’s five juries handed out 15 main awards and four Special Mentions to filmmakers from across the globe. In total, nearly 130,000 Canadian dollars’ (approximately €84,000) worth of cash prizes and services were distributed.

Sunday afternoon saw special screenings of the winning films at Studio Desjardins at the CEM, offering audiences a final chance to enjoy this year’s highlights during the “Palmarès” sessions.

The Official Competition jury – comprising actress Juliette Gariépy, director Rafaël Ouellet, sound designer Olivier Calvert, director-producer-cinematographer Miryam Charles and US programmer Madison Egan – bestowed five awards upon the victors. The Grand Prize, presented by MUBI, Festival Regard and CineGround, went to Shadows by Rand Beiruty (France/Jordan). The jury praised the film for its powerful portrayal of a teenager’s experience with forced marriage and domestic violence, commending the sensitive use of animation to protect the protagonist’s identity while amplifying her resilience.

The Canadian Grand Prize, presented by Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and Grandé Studios, was awarded to Orbites by Sarah Seené (Canada), for its poetic and tactile exploration of visual perception and inner hope.

What If They Bomb Here Tonight by Samir Syriani (Lebanon) took home the Jury Prize, while the Best Animation Short Film Award went to Sans voix by Samuel Patthey (Switzerland). The jury also singled out Who Loves the Sun by Arshia Shakiba (Canada) as Best Documentary Short Film.

The FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize, presented to a Canadian filmmaker with a work in competition, was also awarded to Orbites. Meanwhile, the AQCC Quebec Critics’ Award went to O by Rúnar Rúnarsson (Iceland/Sweden), with a Special Mention for Percebes by Laura Gonçalves and Alexandra Ramires (Portugal/France).

Finally, other European winners include The Eating of an Orange by May Kindred-Boothby (UK), in receipt of the Short & Queer Award; Game Rules by Christian Zetterberg (Sweden), which scooped the Award for Best Youth Short Film; and a Special Mention which went to Los Carpinchos by Soderguit Alfredo (France/Chile/Uruguay).

Here is the full list of this year’s award winners:

Grand Prize
Shadows – Rand Beiruty (France/Jordan)

Canadian Grand Prize
Orbites – Sarah Seené (Canada)

Jury Prize
What If They Bomb Here Tonight – Samir Syriani (Lebanon)

Best Animation Short Film
Sans voix – Samuel Patthey (Switzerland)

Best Documentary Short Film
Who Loves the Sun – Arshia Shakiba (Canada)

FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize
Orbites – Sarah Seené

AQCC Quebec Critics’ Award
O – Rúnar Rúnarsson (Iceland/Sweden)
Special Mention
Percebes – Laura Gonçalves, Alexandra Ramires (Portugal/France)

Alanis-Obomsawin Prize
Dipped in Black – Derik Lynch, Matthew Thorne (Australia)

Shoot No Matter What Award
Ma sœur – Rosalie Pelletier (Canada)
Special Mention
Cher Zoscar – Sarah Toussaint-Léveillé (Canada)

Americana Award
Servicio necrológico para usted – María Salafranca (Cuba)

Philippe-Belley Award
Interurbain – Marc-Olivier Huard (Québec/Canada)

Short & Queer Award
The Eating of an Orange – May Kindred-Boothby (UK)
Special Mention
Muses – Simon Vermeulen (Canada)

Best Youth Short Film
Game Rules – Christian Zetterberg (Sweden)
Special Mention
Los Carpinchos – Soderguit Alfredo (France/Chile/Uruguay)

Audience Awards

Official Competition
Le punk de Natashquan – Nicolas Lachapelle (Canada)

Focus Competition
Le patenteux – Maude Petel-Légaré (Canada)