Imagine Film Festival

The main program consists of around 40 new genrefilms from all around the world. Many of these films have their European or Dutch premiere during the festival. There are also paneldiscussions, masterclasses and a VR programme, as well as a selection of classic movies, often in conjunction with a theme. There is also a separate educational programme for schools and a professionals programme. The Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival was founded by Jan Doense, director of short films and conceiver of The Night of Bad Taste.

Imagine started out as the 'Weekend of Terror' mid-1980's. After several years, this weekend turned into a full-blown festival, now titled the Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, which showed a wide array of international genrefilms, not just horror but also sci-fi, fantasy, martial arts and anime. Over the years, more and more big names attended the festival, and in 2004 the AFFF hosted the Golden Méliès Gala (best European fantastic long and short films). In 2009, the festival got a new name: Imagine Film Festival.[1] With the name change, the organization wanted to emphasize that the festival has become more focused on films that can not be strictly defined as fantasy, horror or science fiction over the years.[1] In 2013, after many years in Kriterion, the festival chose the EYE Film Institute as its home base. During the years at Eye, the festival started adding VR experiences as well asgames under the flag of Imagine Expanded, and extended its science programme. From 2022 on, Imagine will take place at the end of October instead of mid-April. It will also take place at not one, but two new homes: LAB11 and de Filmhallen, both in the western part of Amsterdam.

Silver Scream Award Lifetime / Career Achievement Award Silver Méliès Golden Méliès Nomination The Black Tulip Award Imagine Time Capsule VR Award

The Lifetime/Career Achievement Award has been awarded between 2000 and 2014. The winners are: 2014 - Alejandro Jodorowsky (Career Achievement Award) 2013 - Neil Jordan 2012 - Stan Lee 2011 - Rutger Hauer 2010 - Dick Maas 2008 - Tim Burton (Career Achievement Award) 2007 - Terry Gilliam (Career Achievement Award) 2006 - Roger Corman 2005 - Ray Harryhausen 2005 - Paul Naschy 2004 - not awarded 2003 - Lloyd Kaufman 2002 - Paul Verhoeven 2001 - Dario Argento 2000 - Wes Craven

The Silver Scream Award is voted for by the audience of the festival.

The Méliès Awards are an initiative of the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation (EFFFF), of which Imagine has been a member since 1996. Affiliated festivals each year grant two Silver Méliès Award during their festival, one for the best long and one for the best short film fantastic. The winners then join the Méliès d'Or Award ceremony. Amsterdam Méliès winners:

Amsterdam Méliès-winners:

In 2006 set jury prize, the Black Tulip Award, in 2006 was awarded in three categories, but then only in the category of Best Feature:

This prize was awarded for online entries between 2010 and 2015:

• Official website