International Film Festival Rotterdam announces the line up of the first edition of The Big Screen Award Competition. The selection, comprising ten films, includes the world premieres of new films by Michael Noer (Denmark) and David Verbeek (Taiwan/Netherlands) as well as the début features by Alexandra Gulea (Romania / Germany / France) and Frédérick Pelletier (Canada/ Belgium).

The Big Screen Award Competition aims to support the distribution of films in Dutch cinemas and includes recent films with no Benelux distributor confirmed. The Big Screen Award will be juried by five experienced and passionate audience members. The Dutch Circle of Film Critics (KNF) Jury will choose their winner among these ten films as well. Both prizes come with a guaranteed distribution offer for the Benelux, in collaboration with local distributor Amstelfilm. The KNF Award additionally includes a subtitled DCP, sponsored by digital film lab NCP Holland.

The KNF Award will be juried by Fritz de Jong (Wegener Dagbladen), Joost Broeren (de Filmkrant), Dineke de Zwaan (Uitagenda Rotterdam), Sven Gerrets (VPRO Cinema.nl) and Pim Wijers (Preview). The KNF has awarded IFFR selections since 1983 when Jim Jarmusch took the first KNF Award for Stranger Than Paradise.

The winners will be announced during IFFR’s Awards Night on Friday 1 February.

The full line up of The Big Screen Award Competition 2013

Mater Dolorosa, Adolfo B. Alix Jr., Philippines, 2012, 86’, international premiere, Spectrum

Drama starring veteran film star Gina Alajar as the matriarch who rules her family’s criminal activities. Sales contact: ABS-CBN Creative Programs

Matei copil miner / Matei Child Miner, Alexandra Gulea, Romania/Germany/France, 2013, 80’, World premiere, Bright Future

Poignant film on the illusions and disillusionments of childhood: young Matei lives with his grandfather in small town Romania, while his parents have gone to work in Italy. Sales contact: Europolis Film

Bellas mariposas / Pretty Butterflies, Salvatore Mereu, Italy, 2012, 102’, international premiere, Spectrum

One day in the colorful life of a precocious 12-year old and her relatives living in problem ridden Cagliari Neighbourhood. Sales contact: RAMONDAParis

Odayaka na nichijo/Odayaka, Uchida Nobuteru, Japan/USA, 2012, 100‘, European premiere, Spectrum

Two young Tokyo women live in fear about the radioactive fallout from the Fukujima disaster and rebel against the common tendency to act as if everything is under control. Sales contact: WA Entertainment

Soegija, Garin Nugroho, Indonesia, 2012, 120’, European premiere. Spectrum

Nugroho’s largest scale film to date is an epic historical drama about Indonesian national hero Albertus Soegijapranata aka Soegija, the first Javanese bishop to be installed in the Dutch East Indies. Sales contact: Puskat Pictures/PT Alam Media

Nordvest / Northwest, Michael Noer, Denmark, 2013, 96’, World premiere, Bright Future

Northwest depicts a criminal nest of gang related activities feeding on honor, territorial discipline and pride. Tense new film from co-director of award winning R. Sales contact: TrustNordisk

Diego Star, Frédérick Pelletier, Canada/Belgium, 2013, 91’, World premiere, Bright Future

A cargo ship is stuck on the Canadian Saint Lawrence River for repairs. Traoré, an Ivory Coast mechanic is unjustly accused of causing the damage.

Sales contact: FiGa Films

Il futuro / The Future, Alicia Scherson, Chile/Germany/Italy/Spain, 2013, 94’, European premiere, Spectrum

After a highway accident, Bianca and her brother Tomas are suddenly orphaned. They are teenagers, virgins and they are all alone in Rome. Until Bianca meets Maciste, a former Mister Universe. Sales contact: Visit Films

Du zhan / Drug War, Johnnie To, Hong Kong, 2012, 107’, Spectrum

Johnnie To’s first action film on the Chinese mainland is a grubby, realistic-looking glimpse of the work of the narcotics brigade. Sales contact: Media Asia

How to Describe a Cloud, David Verbeek, Netherlands, 2013, 80’, World premiere, Spectrum

When the mother of young Taiwanese urbanite Liling becomes blind, her daughter is lured back to her native village. Sales contact: Conijn Film