The Sitges International Film Festival gave out its awards this weekend, two of which coming from our very own cardholders, the members of the Carnet Jove Jury. For the first time, two members of the Jury were selected from European Youth Cardholders from outside Catalonia, Spain. Keri from France and Bruce from Malta joined cardholders from Catalonia in Sitges during the Festival.

The Carnet Jove Jury

For the past 13 years, the Carnet Jove Jury of the Sitges Film Festival has awarded two special awards. Members of the Carnet Jove Jury are European Youth Cardholders from Catalonia chosen as Jury members for their passion for films. The purpose of the Jury is to provide talented young people with the chance to be a member of an official jury at one of the most prestigious film festivals and the top film festival in fantasy films in the world.

In 2017, the Carnet Jove saved two spots on the Jury for cardholders from outside Catalonia. After many applications from across EYCA, Keri from France and Bruce from Malta were selected to join the Jury, impressing the selection committee with their love of cinema, keen mind and sense of humour.

"I had an amazing time there, it was like I'd died and gone to heaven."

Keri and Bruce got the all-inclusive festival experience: free transport, accommodation and meals and, most importantly, 10 days of working side-by-side with directors, actors and film critics. They got to see all the films in the Festival and chose the winners for the two awards of the Carnet Jove Jury.

Speaking of his experience in Sitges, Bruce said "I got to see any movie for free, got vouchers to gorge on a lot of seafood, tapas, and paella in many different restaurants, and got to do the work I love. I had an amazing time there, it was like I'd died and gone to heaven."

Keri added: "These ten days have been incredible and rich thanks to new people and great cinema. Thank you so much to the people working at Carte Jeunes, EYCA and Carnet Jove for giving me the opportunity of taking part in this out-of-world experience, and to the team of the Sitges festival for everything. T’estimo Sitges, I’ll be back!"
You can follow Keri's day-by-day coverage of her experience here.

Keep an eye out for the 2018 edition of the Festival and the Carnet Jove Jury!