Forum Jury members:  

• Juliette Duret - Center for Fine Arts - BOZAR, Brussels, Belgium
• Marlene Hofmann - Filmkunsttheater Casablanca, Nürnberg, Germany. 
• Jure Matičič -  Mestni kino Domžale, Domžale, Slovenia

The Arthouse Cinema Award helps the films towards distribution, by systematically informing the over 2,400 member cinemas and the numerous contacts in its network.  

As part of the award, the members of the CICAE will receive a special newsletter with a "Film in Focus", which will include information on the awarded films: synopsis, cast and technical information, international sales and distributors contacts, promotional material and when possible a screener of the film. 

Likewise, the CICAE will promote the awarded films on all our social media channels, mainly Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. 

The CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award celebrates outstanding filmmaking that challenges, inspires, and resonates with audiences on a profound level. The awarded films exemplify the power of cinema to provoke thought, evoke emotion, and foster understanding. 

For more information about the CICAE Arthouse Cinema Award, please visit https://cicae.org/activities/awards

Full Statements

 PANORAMA

The CICAE Arthouse Cinema award in the Panorama section goes to Sorda (Deaf) by Eva Libertad. A powerful and emotionally resonant exploration of identity, love, motherhood, and the unspoken challenges of navigating in a world that often fails to listen. Rather than making a statement about deafness, the film immerses us in the lives of its characters portrayed not by limitation but driven by strength and ambitions. With deeply intimate cinematography, sound design as an extension of perspective, it masterfully captures the nuances of both the deaf and hearing worlds—seeking connection while acknowledging the tensions that arise. Through raw performances and deeply human storytelling, Sorda transcends boundaries, delivering a sensitive and profoundly moving cinematic experience.

FORUM

The three of us feel we were given a warm embrace by a very open, frivolous and nonjudgemental film that does not put it's caharacters into boxes, but rather lets them openly express themselves. WENN DU ANGST HAST NIMMST DU DEIN HERZ IN DEN MUND UND LÄCHELST just might be a new catch phrase for the three of us. It is a rich, complex and rewarding film from a new voice. Marie Luise Lehner has made a remarkable artistic achievement, tackling a lot of timely social issues with a diverse cast of characters, allowing and empowering us to be ourselves. But above all, we had a wonderful time with this film, and we sincerery hope it will reach the broadest of audiences