Evolution Mallorca 2023: Celebrating independent cinema with Daniel Brühl, Mads Mikkelsen, Isabel Coixet and Ruben Östlund

Now in its 12^th year, the Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival was founded by Sandra Lipski in 2012 with the goal of building relationships between international filmmakers and the creative community. Already rated as one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe, each year it builds stronger global relations and is now considered one of Europe’s top ten festivals. With stronger ties bridged between local authorities, the Council of Mallorca and the Mallorca Film Commission, the reach is far greater and puts a firm stamp on this beautiful Balearic Island.

This year’s edition used the luxurious Hotel Portilox as the headquarters where filmmakers gathered for prestigious press conferences, international interviews, masterclasses and panel talks, as well as a hub for networking opportunities. The festival, which ran for six days, was book-ended by star-studded champagne reception galas, premiering carefully selected films chosen by a prestigious jury, showcasing some of the best international filmmaking talent.

A total of 25 awards and four honorary prizes were presented across the programme, celebrating the incredible work of filmmakers that pave the way for independent newcomers to the industry. Mads Mikkelson picked up the award for Best International Actor for The Promised Land, while Suzanne Bier and Daniel Brühl both collected the festival’s Evolution ICON awards. Isabel Coixet picked up the Evolution VISION Award for Directing and Erik Messerschmidt was bestowed with the Evolution ICON Award for Cinematography.

The Upcoming had the pleasure of attending this year’s opening ceremony at the festival in Palma. The gala presented the wonderful premiere of Un Amour, a film created by screenwriter and director Isabel Coixet about one woman Nat (Laia Costa) who leaves behind her life and settles in the rural countryside where she is met with unwanted male attention and is forced to navigate her new life choices. The screening tailed the award ceremony where Daniel Brühl and Erik Messerschmidt were presented with their ICON awards and also followed a glamorous red carpet event where we spoke to filmmakers and the founder of EMIFF.

We spoke to Brühl about what the film festival means to him and the importance of providing a platform for a range of new and diverse filmmakers. He also shared how it felt to be receiving the Evolution ICON Award and celebrating the work of Croixet with screenings of Un Amour and The Movie Teller, which he also stars in.

Festival founder Sandra Lipski spoke about how important festivals like this are for championing diversity in filmmaking and bringing varied movies to the Balearics. She also shared her views on the state of independent cinema, where she sees opportunities for growth, as well as what it means to her to be part of this wonderful venture in Mallorca.

We spoke to director Patrick Büchting and producer Bastian Cullman about their film Tomorrow Somewhere by the Sea, where the story takes the viewer and what it means to be at the film festival championing independent filmmakers. 

Ruben Östlund chatted about his involvement in this year’s festival, his film Triangle of Sadness, which triumphed at last year’s EMIFF, and the importance of festivals like this for channelling the work of an array of talented filmmakers.

Rafel Brunet came over to talk about the importance of building relations within the industry, what the festival stands for and his collaboration with founder Lipski.

Ezelle Alblas

Evolution Mallorca International Film Festival 2023 took place from 18^th to 24^th October 2023. For further information visit here.