The Irish comedy “Kneecap” was the big winner at the 2024 Les Arcs Film Festival. It won the Crystal Arrow for Best Film and several other important prizes. The film tells the story of how the Irish-language hip-hop group with the same name got started. It was already well known before the festival, but now it’s been chosen for Best International Feature and Best Song at the 2025 Academy Awards.
As part of its win, “Kneecap” will receive a €20,000 digital advertising campaign with France Televisions for free. Thanks to this help, the film will be better when it comes out in France on June 18, 2025, through Wayna Pitch. The film won more than one award: the Young Jury Prize and the Cinglés du Cinéma prize. Michael “Mikey J” Asante was also praised for writing his music.
The festival took place in the beautiful French mountain resort from December 14–21 and had its best year yet, with 24,000 people attending, 15% more than the previous year. Over 700 industry workers participated in the Industry Village program, where nearly 100 films were showcased.
The festival also featured Norwegian cinema. The Jury Grand Prize went to Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s Drama “Loveable.” After her husband asks for a divorce, the protagonist of this film goes on a trip of self-discovery. Helga Guren, who played the major role, shared the acting award with Marilena Amato, who was honored for her part in the Italian family drama “Vittoria.”
Additionally, Bernard Wenger’s sharp romantic comedy Peacock received the Audience Award. Lithuanian cinematographer Vytautas Katkus was praised for his work on the teen drama Toxic, which won the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival and the Cineuropa Award, worth €5,000.
Italian film director Matteo Garrone and French actress Karin Viard were honored at the festival for their contributions to cinema. Italian director Paola Cortellesi was given the Les Arcs Prix Femme de Cinéma for her work in the industry.
A festival showcasing known filmmakers and new voices in European cinema ended on December 20 with a showing of Manèle Labidi’s “Queen Mom (Reine Mère).”
