The Ensor Award (for the first two years Vlaamse Filmprijzen) is an accolade presented by the Ensor Academy of Belgium to recognize cinematic achievement in the film industry and is the highest film honour in the Flemish speaking part of the country. The awards are given out annually at the Ostend Film Festival.
The trophy was created by Ostend artist Yves Velter from Ostend and named after James Ensor, it is the successor of the Joseph Plateau Award that honored films from the entire country. Since its discontinuation, the Magritte Awards are given to French speaking movies, while the Ensors honor Flemish productions.
The nominees are decided by a jury panel. While the winners are voted by the entire board of Ensor Academy, which consists of members from the film industry. In 2018 categories for achievement in television were introduced.
Since 2022, the Ensors, have been gender neutral, meaning the awards do not separate male and female performances in acting categories. This has led to some years where men are the only winners in acting categories.
Noteworthy Winners At the ninth edition, two films tied for the top prize as best film. The tenth Ensor Awards ceremony was held on September 14, 2019 and saw the film Girl dominating by winning eight trophies including best film.
Awards ceremonies The following is a listing of all Ensor Awards ceremonies and Best picture winners.
CeremonyDateBest Film winner 1st Ensor Awards 10 September 2010 The Misfortunates 2nd Ensor Awards 10 September 2011 Bullhead 3rd Ensor Awards 14 and 15 September 2012 Time of My Life 4th Ensor Awards 13 and 14 September 2013 The Broken Circle Breakdown 5th Ensor Awards 20 September 2014 Marina 6th Ensor Awards 19 September 2015 N – The Madness of Reason 7th Ensor Awards 16 September 2016 The Ardennes 8th Ensor Awards 15 and 16 September 2017 Home 9th Ensor Awards 15 September 2018 Racer and the Jailbird and Zagros 10th Ensor Awards 14 September 2019 Girl 11th Ensor Awards 23 January 2021 Patrick 12th Ensor Awards 12 March 2022 Dealer 13th Ensor Awards 4 February 2023 Close 14th Ensor Awards 3 February 2024 Wil 15th Ensor Awards 8 February 2025 Skunk 16th Ensor Awards 7 February 2026 Julian
Nominations and Voting
Voters Every active member of the Flemish audiovisual industry can the Academy, including employees in 'non-artistic' jobs in Flemish production companies. Staff members of film festivals subsidized by the Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) can also join.
Rules Only Flemish films and television are considered. To be a 'majority Flemish' film or television series two of three categories must be met. One, the core of the artistic team (like the director, actor(s), or screenwriter) must be Flemish. Two, the content is Flemish, or three, its a Flemish production either through money or producers.
Voting Process A list eligible of film and tv candidates if complied. Then Every Academy member is given three votes for each category. The three titles that received the most votes in each category are nominated, and after considering individual professional categories, the Academy votes to add two more titles to each category.
After this first nomination round, the nominees are released to the public. The Academy members then vote again, but are only are allowed one vote per category. The titles with the most vote in their category win.
Categories Current Categories Source:
The Ensors award both film and television.
Film Awards + Since Film Awards 2010 Best Film 2010 Best Director 2022 Best Performance in a Lead Role 2022 Best Performance in a Supporting Role 2010 Best Screenplay 2011 Best Cinematography 2011 Best Production Design 2011 Best Editing 2011 Best Music Best Sound Best Makeup Best Costume Design 2012 Best Documentary 2011 Best Co-Production 2012 Best Short Film 2012 Best Animated Short 2016 Best Youth Film
TV Awards + Since TV Awards 2017 Best TV-Series 2017 Best Direction - TV Series 2022 Best Performance in a Lead Role - TV Series 2022 Best Performance in a Supporting Role - TV Series 2017 Best Screenplay - TV Series Best DoP (Director of Photography) - TV Series Best Art Direction - TV Series Best Editing - TV Series Best Music - TV Series Best Sound - TV Series Best Makeup - TV Series Best Costume Design - TV Series 2017 Best TV Documentary
+ Ensor Awards Chosen By Other Bodies Award Chosen By The Box Office Prize Box office numbers Telenet Audience Award Audience vote International Breakthrough of the Year (Albert Bert Prijs) BOD of The Ensors Promise of the Year with the support of BNP Paribas Fortis BOD of The Ensors Best French-speaking Belgian Film BOD of The Ensors Best Co-Production BOD of The Ensors Lifetime Achievement Award FFO
Retired Award Categories + Years active Retired Award 2010–2018 Best Debut 2010–2017 Best Actor in a Supporting Role 2010–2017 Best Actress in a Supporting Role 2011–2017 Best Costume Design 2010-2022 Best Actor in a Leading Role 2010-2022 Best Actress in a Leading Role 2017 Best Actress - TV Series
See also
Magritte Award (Waloon equivalent) Joseph Plateau Award
References
External links