LIFF Feature Film Competitions 2026: The Winners

Constellation Feature Film Competition winner: Memorizu, directed by Miiku Sakanishi.

Our Constellation Jury (Marie-Ange Zié, Rachel Pronger, Kevin Chan) said: "Memorizu is a singular and ambitious film, with a clear cinematic vision. The mix of photography styles – analogue and digital – is beautifully handled by director Miiku Sakanishi. The story emerges organically through editing and character. There’s a richness in the quietness; Memorizu evolves it slowly and confidently into something truly profound."

The Jury gave a special mention to Shana, directed by Lila Pinell.

Cinema Versa Documentary Feature Film Competition winner: Like a Fortress, directed by Lou Colpé.

Our Cinema Versa Jury (Chloe Traynor, Theo Panagopoulos, Hannah Cesarani) said: "This film masterfully constructs its narrative through soundscape and text, bringing the filmmaker's unique voice to life in a deeply affecting and spiritual way. It is a sensitive and quiet depiction of grief, embracing the contradictions of joy, sadness, denial and nostalgia that lives in every moment. We want to commend the filmmaker’s bravery to make a film so intimate, honest and vulnerable and her ability to translate something so ineffable into cinema."

The jury gave a special mention to Illusion of an Everlasting Summer, directed by Alessandra Sanguinetti

 Fanomeon Feature Film Competition winner: Bagworm, directed by Oliver Bernsen.

Our Fanomenon Jury (Evangeline Spachis, Lee Hardcastle, Varun Raman) said: "A film with undeniable punk spirit and extraordinary low-budget ingenuity. It makes the most of its limitations while continually pushing beyond them, embracing the expressive tactility of 16mm film. It's confident, hilarious and deeply uncomfortable, anchored by a tour de force performance from Peter Falls and a remarkable cast in which every actor leaves a lasting impression. Urgent and unmistakably contemporary, it's a film that demands accountability from a generation of lost men, without sacrificing an ounce of its playful, anarchic wit."

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their films for the LIFF 2026 competitions and to our juries.