Presentation of the 8th edition of the Lëtzebuerger Filmpräis

Guy Daleiden, Director of the Film Fund Luxembourg, and Claude Waringo, President of the Luxembourg Film Academy D'Filmakademieofficially launched the 8^e edition of the Lëtzebuerger Filmpräis. This prize is a joint initiative of the public authorities and organisations representing Luxembourg film professionals. Its aim is to reward the best contributions to Luxembourg cinema, in order to highlight quality works, encourage film creation, promote the development of the film industry in Luxembourg and draw the public's attention to Luxembourg productions.

The awards ceremony will take place on 22 September 2018, at the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg.

The prizes will be awarded by the film industry professionals who are members of the Filmakademie, in the form of an online vote. Created in 2012 on the initiative of the film technicians' associations (ALTA), directors and screenwriters (LARS), actors (Actors.lu) and producers (ULPA), the academy also brings together other institutions and associations in the sector, namely the Centre national de l'audiovisuel (CNA), the Fédération des métiers de l'animation et de l'image virtuelle (FMAIV), the Fédération luxembourgeoise des auteurs et compositeurs (FLAC) and the Film Fund Luxembourg.

This year's 8^e edition, with the creation of a special prize for the best TV and new media production, a prize for the best creative contribution in an animated feature film and a prize for the best acting.

"The creation of these new awards takes account of changes in the sector, including the development of TV series, new media content and new forms of writing. An increasing number of Luxembourg actors are also landing leading roles in feature films, hence the need to create a special prize for our actors and actresses. We also felt it was important to reward animation technicians, a fast-growing sector in the Grand Duchy and one that is regularly recognised abroad for the quality of its work," explains Claude Waringo.

For this 8^e 10 short fiction films, 10 feature-length co-productions, 7 Luxembourg feature-length films, 10 documentaries, 3 feature-length animated films and 7 TV and new media productions will be competing for the trophy.

A total of 30 artists and teams have been nominated, including 10 actresses and actors for Best Performance, 10 teams of animation technicians for Best Creative Contribution in an Animated Film and 10 nominees for Best Creative Contribution in a Fiction or Documentary Film (script, editing, costumes, music, sets, image, make-up).

Guy Daleiden was delighted that "the 8^e edition of the Lëtzebuerger Filmpräis will once again be held at the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg. The evening will be a convivial celebration of the internationally recognised expertise of the audiovisual sector, and will honour the quality of Luxembourg productions and co-productions over the last two years".

The awards ceremony will be hosted by Islando-Luxembourg actress Elisabet Johannesdottir, American actor Isaac Bush and Luxembourg author Guy Helminger. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Michel Reis, Pol Belardi... and friends.

The main partners in this 8^e edition of the Lëtzebuerger Filmpräis will be the Post Luxembourgthe Chamber of Commerce, Immo Luxembourg and the City of Luxembourg (Grand Théâtre and the City of Luxembourg).