The BLOW-UP ARTHOUSE Film Festival is transitioning from a traditional festival format to a dedicated awards event.
The BLOW-UP ARTHOUSE FILM AWARDS unites the most creative artists with discerning audiences for our annual celebration of arthouse-focused narrative and documentary films, shorts, animations, experimental works, and student projects. Named after Michelangelo Antonioni's iconic film "Blow-Up", our festival is dedicated to introducing more people to the world of arthouse cinema. We believe that stories driven by genuine expression can inspire new thoughts, promote the principles of humanism, expand creative horizons, foster compassion, and even lead to social change. We welcome films that aim to engage a specific audience with serious and thought-provoking content, rather than catering to mass-market tastes.
Our focus is on works created for their aesthetic and philosophical contributions, rather than commercial profit. The festival is committed to discovering and developing independent artists and audiences. We seek to inspire filmmakers from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their innovative work. We also honor established arthouse filmmakers who have made significant contributions to the art of filmmaking, aspiring to the caliber of directors like Eisenstein, Antonioni, Fellini, Tarkovsky, Godard, Truffaut, Pasolini, Kurosawa, and Buñuel. Our mission is to provide a platform for filmmakers who push the boundaries of storytelling, visual artistry, and cinematic innovation.
We strive to create an inclusive and inspiring environment where audiences can engage with thought-provoking narratives and unique perspectives that challenge the status quo. Through carefully curated screenings, panel discussions, and workshops, we aim to foster a community of passionate film lovers, creators, and industry professionals. Our festival is committed to nurturing emerging talent and championing voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. We believe in the transformative power of film to illuminate the human experience, provoke meaningful conversations, and inspire change. Join us as we celebrate the richness of arthouse cinema and its vital role in the cultural landscape.
- Main Categories -
Best Feature Film: Antonioni Award
Best Short: Charlie Chaplin Award
Best Documentary: Dziga Vertov Award
Best Experimental Film: Eisenstein Award
Best Student Film: VGIK Award
Best Animation: Norman McLaren Award
Best New Media: Andy Warhol Award
Best AI-Assisted Short Film: Alan Turing Award
- Technical Categories -
Best of Fest: Blow-Up Award
Best Illinois Film: Made in Chicago Award
Best Director: Tarkovsky Award
Best Cinematography: John Alcott Award
Best Screenplay: Tonino Guerra Award
Best Production Design: Cedric Gibbons Award
Best Actor: Marcello Mastroianni Award
Best Soundtrack: Nino Rota Award
Best Musical Film: Bob Fosse Award
Best Comedy: Buster Keaton Award
Best Montage: Eisenstein Award
Special Jury Prize: Best New Director Award
Special Jury Prize(s): Outstanding Directing
Special Achievement Prize(s): Film Criticism/Journalism
Founder's L'Eclisse Award(s)