The 2024 Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting was presented at Tirana International Film Festival in Albania on 22nd September. We would like to share a few impressions of the award ceremony itself, as well as the surrounding events with you below.
The Award went to Francesco Vedovati, Constance Demontoy, Iman Djionne and Amine Louadni for the award-winning and Oscar-nominated film Io Capitano by Matteo Garrone (2023). The statues were presented by actress Arta Dobroshi during the opening ceremony of Tirana International Film Festival.
ICDA members and the 2024 Semiramis Award nominees enjoyed a three-day programme of activities and workshops in Albania’s capital, courtesy of our our award sponsors Spotlight and Filmmakers.
On 21st September, the ICDA welcomed its members, as well as the 2024 Semiramis Award nominees to a walking tour of Tirana, kindly organised by ICDA member Clemens Erbach.
The day was concluded at a vineyard tour and joint dinner at UKA Farm and Vineyard.
During the day on 22nd September, the ICDA members in Tirana, as well as our members from across the globe (via Zoom), came together for ICDA’s Annual General Assembly at Tirana’s landmark Pyramid building.
In the evening, the 2024 Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting was officially presented during the opening ceremony of Tirana International Film Festival. We were very excited to welcome actress Arta Dobroshi to the stage to announce this year’s winner.
On Monday, 23rd September, our members attended a workshop organised by our award sponsors Spotlight and Filmmakers on AI and industry transformation. In the afternoon, outgoing ICDA President Timka Grin participated in a joint industry panel on the subject of “Regional Talent – Vital to Attract International Productions” at the Agimi Art Center. The discussion was part of the official festival programme, and she was joined by actress Arta Dobroshi and Jonid Jorgji (Director, Creative Industries Agency). The session was moderated by Pippa Harrison (Industry Advisor & Ambassador at Spotlight).
The day was rounded off with a farewell dinner at the Xheko Imperial Hotel, followed by a drinks reception at the Agimi Art Center.
Thank you to our sponsors and organising team
We would like to once again take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Spotlight and Filmmakers, without whom the event would not have been possible. Furthermore, we would like to thank Tirana International Film Festival for hosting the 2024 Semiramis Award for Excellence in Casting as part of the official festival programme, as well as the Creative Industries Agency in Tirana for supporting the ICDA programme in Albania. Particular thanks goes to Majlinda Tafa of Filmmakers, whose knowledge and insights helped to make this event truly successful, and ICDA Board Members Kristina Kolytė and Sofia Dimopoulou, as well as ICDA Administrator Anja Kadir for their many months of hard work to bring our programme to fruition. Thank you also to this year’s Semiramis Award Committee: Ellen S. Michelsen, Kristina Kolytė, Magdalena Szwarcbart, Tusse Lande, Mawuko Kuadzi, Florentina Bratfanof, Catrin Wideryd, Nancy Bishop, Ulrike Müller, Vigfús Gunnarsson, Jemima McWilliams, Tess Joseph, Cassandra Han and Donna Morong.
