This year’s winner is Universal Language directed by Matthew Rankin. Of the awards and this year’s blockbuster festival season, MIFF Artistic Director, Al Cossar said “It’s been such a thrill to see the enthusiasm and outright cinematic maximalism with which Melbourne audiences have taken to the MIFF program this year – across over 280 films, we’ve seen audiences celebrate incredible new Australian filmmaking with us, discover the year’s cinematic highlights, explore unseen corners of the history of film, and meet over 130 attending guests and artists. A special alchemy always happens at our festival between film and film-goers, and this year it’s been particularly special to see the momentum MIFF-goers have brought to our festival, and to see those special ‘only-at-MIFF’ moments manifest throughout the last couple of weeks.” Cossar added “And it’s all been leading to this – our celebration and recognition of exceptional films and filmmakers. Finding and fostering talent is an indelible purpose of the festival, and seeing these talents be recognised throughout MIFF’s suite of awards, and at our festival, is a wonderful privilege. We hope that it creates new opportunities that will be transformative to the professional pathways of those awarded – our congratulations to all.”                                                                            “The Allan Labor Government is proud to support one of the world’s biggest film prizes, MIFF’s 2024 Bright Horizons Award. This award brings global attention to the winner and to this festival and is part of our commitment to backing Victoria’s screen industry at all levels – from our incredible community of local filmmakers to world class facilities and iconic events like MIFF.” Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks commented. The recipient of the Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award is Jaydon Martin, awarding his distinctive cinematic blend of documentary and fictional filmmaking for Flathead. Recognising Martin’s directing, the $70,000AUD award recognises an Australian filmmaking talent for their work within an Australian feature film screening at the festival. Deliberating 2024’s Bright Horizons Award and the Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award was an esteemed international jury who were all in the room at Rydges Melbourne this evening to name their winners firsthand, alongside other esteemed guests of the festival. 

As one of Australia’s most revered filmmakers, Ivan Sen (Limbo, Mystery Road) led this year’s Bright Horizons Jury as President, alongside visionary writer and director, David Lowery (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints); Oscar-winning costume designer, Deborah L. Scott (Avatar, Titanic, Back to the Future); pioneering Indonesian filmmaker Yulia Evina Bhara (Tiger Stripes, MIFF 2023), and much-loved Australian actress, Jillian Nguyen (Shayda, MIFF 2023; Scarygirl, MIFF 2023).                           On selecting the Bright Horizons Award winner, the jury said: “Our task as jury was joyful, invigorating and inspiring. It was also incredibly arduous, heartbreaking and some might even say cruel, because how could anyone choose a favourite or pick a winner from such an incredible lineup of films, all worthy of accolades in their own ways, all testaments to the fact that the future of cinema is bright indeed.One movie represented all of the facets of the Bright Horizons Award; a film whose cultural specificity transcends borders; whose cinematic playfulness is matched equally by its sensitivity; and whose very form is in conversation with cinema past, present and future. This is why the Bright Horizons Award goes to Universal Language by Matthew Rankin.” The Bright Horizons Jury added: “We would also like to recognise a movie that not only had a profound impact on us as jury members, but which through its grace, empathy and universality will leave a mark on cinema and the world at large; the Special Jury Award goes to Flow by Gints Zilbalodis.”                    On the Blackmagic Design Australian Innovation Award, they continued: “We were captivated and affected by director Jaydon Martin’s visually arresting and very moving portrait of individuals often forgotten about in society; in this case the real people of small town Bundaberg. Flathead’s seamless merging of realities and fiction, both so raw yet so cinematic, had a profound effect on our jury. We hope all of you have a chance to watch this brilliant, sensitive examination of survival, of humanity and of mortality, which will stay with you for days to come.”

Recently named in honour of the late, great actor and activist, the Uncle Jack Charles Award, presented in collaboration with Kearney Group, was awarded to director and Wiradjuri-Scottish woman of the Galari/Kalari peoples, April Phillips, for her groundbreaking XR work titled, kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together). Phillips receives $20,000AUD in prize money and financial services provided by Kearney valued at $25,000AUD. Recognising an outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creative whose work is included in the MIFF 2024 program, nominees in contention were drawn from creative departments including directing, XR, screenwriting and animation. This year’s Jury for the Uncle Jack Charles Award included Davey Thompson, Bidjara, Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi producer, writer and actor, and VicScreen Executive (All My Friends are Racist); Kamilaroi actor and writer Thomas Weatherall (Heartbreak High and soon to be seen in The Narrow Road to the Deep North); and Kurnai/Gunai, Gunditjmara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta writer, actor and activist Nayuka Gorrie (Black Comedy, The Heights). Impressed by the calibre of all the nominated works for the Uncle Jack Charles Award, on behalf of the jury, Thompson and Gorrie said: “This bold and refreshing animation made us all feel a child-like sense of wonder with its stunning technicolour visuals and immersive sound design that built a world that felt ancient and futuristic all at once. Lead artist April Phillips has a strong and clear artistic vision and we were all left wanting more. Congratulations to the team at kajoo yannaga.” Paul Kearney, CEO & Founder, Kearney Group added: “We’re so pleased for April and their brilliant work kajoo yannaga. The Uncle Jack Charles Award is a celebration of culture, creativity, and the stories that help us understand who we are, where we come from, and what it means to belong. Congratulations to each of this years’ nominees and to April. We cannot wait to see how your storytelling will continue to inspire and challenge us all.”

Always a highly contested category, this year’s MIFF Audience Award, presented by Intrepid, was a tie between two films – Voice by Krunal Padhiar and Semara Jose and Left Write Hook by Shannon Owen. Voted by festival-goers from across the in-cinema season, film buffs this year were also tempted by the chance to win an Intrepid trip for two to Vietnam simply by selecting their favourite film in the program.               “Intrepid is truly honoured to celebrate the exceptional talent shown by all the nominees this year. Congratulations to this year’s joint winners – Voice and Left Write Hook – on winning the Intrepid Audience Award. Both films showcased powerful storytelling and engaging narratives which deeply moved and inspired audiences. As an Australian-owned business, we are so proud to be highlighting the outstanding work within our local film industry. Our heartfelt congratulations to both film teams on this well-deserved recognition.” Intrepid Travel Managing Director ANZ, Brett Mitchell commented. Presented by Collarts, the MIFF Schools Youth Jury Award recognises the best title from the MIFF Schools program and was this year awarded to Maria Zanetti’s tender coming-of-age film, Alemania. Reminiscent of thoughtful dramas such as Lady Bird and Eighth Grade, the film follows a teenager who must choose between family and a life-changing adventure abroad, immersing viewers in the milieu of Buenos Aires at the turn of the century. Complete with the era’s fashion, TV sets, hairstyles and cassette tapes – Alemania is both nostalgic for a recent past and deeply relatable for teens of all ages.

Selected by a jury composed of students from the 2024 Top Screen cohort, this year’s MIFF Schools Youth Jury was composed of Fynn WIlliams, Gabe Hartshorne and Jasmine Lui. MIFF Schools Youth Jury statement: “We felt that of all the amazing movies presented, Alemaniareally felt like it achieved what it was aiming to do. It ticked all the boxes for a coming of age film whilst remaining engaging the whole way through. The visuals and cinematography were beautiful and felt really in tune with the overall aesthetic, as well as the fact that the character depth, relationships, themes and the plot felt really grounded and flowed beautifully throughout the film.”                                 “At Collarts, the Australian College of the Arts, we believe that stories change the world, and that creativity is vital. We provide students with industry-leading opportunities to learn, including our partnership with the biggest film festival in the southern hemisphere.” Sam Jacob, CEO, Collarts commented “We’re thrilled to have MIFF as a long-term creative partner, and to be presenting the 2024 MIFF Schools Youth Jury Award, which provides mentorship to the Youth Jury members, and a prize of $10,000 AUD for the winning film.”         The MIFF Awards were also a chance to celebrate some of this year’s breakout talent and crowd pleasers on the eve of the festival’s final day of in-cinema activity for 2024.