White Snails Crowned Best Film at Lecce Festival

LECCE – White snails, directed by Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter (Austria, Germany, 2025), received the Golden Olive Tree, the top award at the 26th Lecce European Film Festival. The festival showcased over 200 films in its various sections and retrospectives.

The jury, led by Lene Børglum and including Marco Giusti, Dubravka Lakic, Paolo Strippoli, and Olena Yershova, explained their decision: “The film begins with a knock on his door in the middle of the night… It’s the start of a remarkable story about two unseen people finding connection in a stifling world. They are like snails navigating a city lacking air. Based on real people and big questions about life, the film is beautifully made, letting the actors create genuine characters. It explores how society romanticizes death, which can be both a way to cope with arduous times and a harmful influence on young people.”

A Special prize went to The Pupil by Karin junger (Holland, Belgium, 2025) “for its skillful portrayal of manipulation, supported by strong visuals and the powerful performances of the actors – especially Bart de Wilde, a newcomer. The film tackles dangerous impulses without simple judgments, instead deeply examining the psychological wounds they cause.”

Hlynur Pálmason’s The Love That Remains (Iceland,2025) won Best Photography “for its ability to use images to show the complex nature of a relationship nearing its end,set against a vast and timeless landscape. The photography works seamlessly with the film’s design and stands apart from current trends.”

The Best Screenplay Award was given to Frédéric Hambalek’s What Marielle Knows (Germany, 2025) “for its ability to capture the complexities of family ties through a