Neubauer Studios “Burning Hearts” Wins The Grand Prize At The 26Th Film Festival Of Greece

The film, which was screened at a packed ASTOR in the presence of the director, stars 19-year-old Hugo. Like every summer, he spends his vacation on an Atlantic island, in the small family home. But this year everything is different. He has changed physically and arrives with his girlfriend, Quinn, a beautician with a strong personality and long, decorated nails that contrast with the young man’s modesty and shyness. Very quickly, the couple becomes the object of all eyes.

The jury, composed of Maria Apostolakea, Alexis Grivas, Akis Kapranos, Despina Mouzaki and Stefanos Rocco, unanimously awarded its prize (Nova 2026 Jury Prize) to “Burning Hearts” and to the young director who was at the ceremony and received his award. “Touching the cinema of Eric Rohmer, Aurélien Perre offers us a film, set against the backdrop of summer vacation, that speaks of this eternal search for “belonging” that lies at the heart of human existence. A critique of social pressure, which ultimately changes the dynamics between the protagonists, who are crushed by the merciless gaze of others. Two amazing actors. A first feature film, apt, tender and funny,” he said.

The closing ceremony

The closing ceremony was presented by actors Aurora Marion and Yiannis Tsoumarakis . During his speech, Aime Besson , Audiovisual Media Attaché and Festival Director, referred to the success of the screenings and special events (discussions, meetings, parties, exhibition of the Festival’s poster collection from 2000 to the present) during the nine days of the festival, which proves once again the great interest of the Greek audience in French-speaking cinema, which remains bold, creative, rich and diverse.

As this year’s event was dedicated to the Arts on the one hand, and to the Mediterranean on the other, he made special mention of the collaboration with the B. & E. Goulandris Foundation and Flux Laboratory, for the thematic section ” The Arts on the Screen ” and the White Card that this year was given to the Cinemed International Mediterranean Film Festival . Finally, Aime Besson thanked the collaborators, volunteers, friends, viewers in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and Chania, as well as the team of the French-speaking Film Festival, emphasizing that its organization is built through collaborations and partnerships and thanks to dedicated and enthusiastic cinephiles.

After the awards ceremony, the screening of the pan-Hellenic avant-premiere of the film “ 
I’ll Leave One Day / Partir un jour ” followed. As Cecile prepares to make her dream come true by opening her own gastronomic restaurant, she is forced to return to the village where she grew up after her father’s heart attack. Far from the hustle and bustle of Paris, she meets her young love again. Memories awaken and her certainties begin to shake… The film will be released in theaters soon.