Report: Global Production Awards 2024 (Cannes Film Festival)
- Dirk Vandereyken
- Jun 4, 2024
- 4 min read
The Global Production Awards exist to honour excellence in film production around the world – while also, as it should always be, placing a strong emphasis on environmental initiatives and sustainability. The setting, complete with a wide array of drinks and tasty bites, is certainly a welcome bonus, but the awards themselves are far more important than the party, which takes place in one of the beachside tents along the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette.
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Here is the full list of winners, along with a brief explanation:
City of Film – Bristol, United Kingdom
Over the past year, Bristol has made a widely appreciated structural contribution to the film and TV industry, earning it the ‘City of Film’ award. The recognition is no coincidence – this city is home to The Bottle Yard Studios and the BBC Natural History Unit, and has been investing in both (young) talent and infrastructure for many years. A city with both historic significance and contemporary relevance.
Community Impact Award – Fresh Film (Ireland)
Getting started in film at a very young age isn’t something most people consider – unless we’re talking about child actors. But in Limerick, the Irish organisation Fresh Film has long been committed to introducing children and teenagers (aged 7 to 18) to the world of filmmaking. The Global Production Awards jury clearly appreciated the nurturing of cinematic skills, as the Fresh International Film Festival, its many workshops, and educational initiatives have now led to this award.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award – Blood & Water (South Africa)
‘New Beginnings Can’t Hide Old Secrets’ was one of the slogans used to launch South African Netflix series Blood & Water by Gambit Films back in 2020. Schools are often a fertile setting and an inexhaustible source of intrigue, and this series is no exception. The literally colourful mix of characters is evident in every episode, so it feels more than deserved that Blood & Water is being celebrated for its representation of diversity and inclusion.
Emerging Location & Film Commission Award – Film AlUla (Saudi Arabia)
Anyone who regularly attends the Cannes Film Festival professionally has likely noticed that Saudi Arabia has been investing considerable time, money, and effort into promoting its burgeoning film industry and rapidly growing infrastructure. The AlUla region in particular stands out thanks to its breathtaking desert landscapes. Strong attention to new talent development and international collaboration has now earned it not one but two awards: Emerging Location and Best Film Commission.
Location of the Year – Juvet Landscape Hotel (Norway)
As a PR consultant, it’s always rewarding when something you’ve worked on gets the spotlight it deserves. The architecturally stunning Juvet Landscape Hotel offers guests a chance to immerse themselves in Norwegian nature, but for us it’s best known as the filming location of the brilliant Ex Machina, for which this journalist once sent out over 100 DVD review copies. The jury was clearly also captivated by the hotel’s unique blend of serenity and aesthetics.
Outstanding Use of Locations – Troll (Norway)
The gigantic creature in Troll awakens in the Dovre Mountains and then proceeds to destroy everything in its path on the way to Norway’s capital. That premise alone offers ample opportunity to showcase both local nature and striking urban environments – something the filmmakers, in collaboration with the Norwegian film commission, executed with impressive visual impact. Well done.
Physical Production Innovation Award – CAMA AssetCycle (UK)
UK-based CAMA AssetCycle reuses sets and props to drastically reduce the ecological footprint of productions. This sustainable approach to materials and set design impressed the Global Production Awards jury, who praised it as a shining example of circular economy principles in the film industry.
Studio of the Year – Sunset Studios (United States)
We often hear filmmakers complain about the rising costs of filming in Los Angeles – but in practice, it’s often more manageable than expected. Combine that with cutting-edge facilities and a strong environmental ethos, and it’s easy to see why Sunset Studios earned this Global Production Award.
Sustainability Initiative Award – Provence Studios (France)
Renewable energy? Check. Ecological farming? Check. Sustainable production practices? That’s three checks! Located near Marseille, Provence Studios merges film production with green innovation, setting an example the entire industry would do well to follow.
Sustainable Production Award (Scripted) – True Detective: Night Country
To be honest, we absolutely loved the first two seasons of True Detective, and thought season three was quite solid too – but the fourth season slipped past us, mostly due to lack of time and an abundance of other brilliant shows. That said, the Iceland-filmed episodes are apparently a textbook case of how to use renewable energy and eco-friendly practices in scripted production. Impressive!
Sustainable Production Award (Unscripted) – A League of Their Own (UK)
You won’t see it on screen, but behind the scenes of this hilarious British gameshow, the production team relies on energy-efficient filming, green catering, and responsible waste management. That eco-consciousness has now been rewarded in the unscripted category.
Virtual Production Innovation Award – Oracle Red Bull Racing Campaign
Final Pixel and XPLOR joined forces to create an immersive campaign featuring LED volumes, motion control, and real-time rendering – all aimed at transporting viewers into striking virtual worlds. Could this Oracle Red Bull Racing campaign hint at the future of advertising and branded content? Perhaps!
Special Recognition Award – BAFTA Albert
Yes, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts – best known among film lovers for its prestigious awards – has its own program aimed specifically at supporting green productions. This happens not only through clear guidelines for thousands of participating professionals, but also via certification and dedicated training programs.
Conclusion
The Global Production Awards 2024 once again prove how an informal atmosphere, engaging presentations, great food, and smart organisation can help draw public attention to awards that promote a more sustainable, inclusive, and technologically advanced future for the film industry – without diminishing the power of the stories these productions strive to tell. On the contrary, in fact.
Text: Dirk Vandereyken, Paula van Unen
Photos: Marian Michiels, Global Production Awards
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