The Open Reel was founded in 2012 as an International Sales Agency aiming to support and promote independent cinema on an international level. The agency wanted to enlarge the visibility of those independents productions not supported by a staff devoted to develop their circulation and their positioning to festivals and markets. Over these years, The Open Reel has confirmed its principal vocation in promoting arthouse cinema accompanying emerging and then also already established filmmakers to many important events around the world.
Since the 2014 The Open Reel has reinforced its mission to support independent cinema also distributing in the Italian territory through the VOD platform www.theopenreel.it
The Open Reel is also active on a production level, supporting upcoming projects or still in post-production.
HIGHLIGHTS
2023
A PLACE OF OUR OWN, by Ektara Collective
Tokyo International Film Festival: Asian Future
SXSW Festival Austin: Winner Audience AwardTHE TRACE OF YOUR LIPS, by Julián Hernández
Frameline Film Festival San Francisco: Narrative International Feature Film CompetitionCAMPER, by Lukasz Suchocki
São Paulo International Film Festival: New Directors CompetitionLONELY, by Michele Pennetta
Zurich Film Festival: Focus CompetitionELDA AND THE MONSTERS, by Nicolás Herzog
Mar Del Plata International Film Festival: Winner Best Editing National Feature Film CompetitionOTHERNESS, by Nora Haddad, Alba Cros
Malaga International Film Festival: Documentary CompetitionSOLITUDE, IT’S THAT, by Andrea Adriatico
Rome International Film Festival: FreestyleTHE ISLAND, by Damien Manive
FID Documentary Film Festival Marseille: Winner Cine + Distribution Award, Special Mention French Film Competition, Special Mention European Students Fondation Vacances BleuesACSEXYBILITY, by Daniel Gonçalves
Rio International Film Festival: Winner Best Director Award Premiere Brazil, Special Mention Felix Award
NewFest New York Film Festival: Winner Grand Jury Prize Best DocumentaryGOOD GUYS GO TO HEAVEN, by Radu Potcoava
Bergamo Film Meeting: Feature Film CompetitionSTROKING AN ANIMAL, by Ángel Filgueira
D’A Film Festival Barcelona: Un impulso colectivo2022
DE NOCHE LOS GATOS SON PARDOS, by Valentin Merz
Locarno International Film Festival: Winner Special Mention First Feature FilmBARRIO BOY, by Dennis Shinners
Iris Prize Cardiff: Feature Film CompetitionTHE YELLOW CEILING, by Isabel Coixet
San Sebastian International Film Festival: Special Screenings, Winner RTVE Another Look Award, Special Mention Dunya Ayaso Award;
Cinehorizontes Spanish Film Festival Marseille: Winner Special Mention Documentary CompetitionLETIZIA, by Francesco Manzato
Rome Independent Film Festival: Winner RAI Cinema Award Best Italian Short FilmLIKE ME, by Eyal Kantor
Guadalajara International Film Festival: Maguey Award CompetitionTHINGS UNSAID, by Eleonora Veninova
Cairo International Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionPETIT MAL, by Ruth Caudeli
Tribeca International Film Festival: Viewpoints CompetitionTHE ANNIVERSARY, by Marius Gabriel Stancu
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: Rebel With a Cause Competition – Short FilmsMAN AND DOG, by Stefan Constantinescu
Göteborg International Film Festival – Nordic Light;
Transilvania International Film Festival Cluj: Winner Special Mention Romanian DaysVENUS IN NYKE, by André Antônio
Valdivia International Film Festival: Medium Lenght and Feature Film Competition2021
15 HOURS, by Judith Colell
Malaga International Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionMÍA AND MOI, by Borja de la Vega
Rome Independent Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionMOSS AGATE, by Salim Mourad
Rotterdam International Film Fetival: Tger CompetitionLEADING LADIES, by Ruth Caudeli
Malaga International Film Festival: Winner Jury Special Mention ZonaZine CompetitionBOY MEETS BOY, by Daniel Sanchez López
Molodist Film Festival Kiev: Winner Special Mention Sunny Bunny Award Best LGBTQIA+ FilmEL FULGOR, by Martín Farina
Mannheim Heidelberg International Film Festival: Pushing the Boundaries Competition;
Rome Independent Film Festival: Winner Best Documentary;
Bafici Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival: Winner Best Sound National Feature Film Competition, Stimulus Award for Argentine Cinema AvantGarde & Genre CompetitionTHAT WEEKEND, by Mara Pescio
San Sebastian International Film Festival: Horizontes Latinos CompetitionWHAT WENT WRONG?, by Liliana Torres
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionTHE RED TREE, by Joan Gómez Endara
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: First Feature Film Competition;
CineLatino Film Festival Toulouse: Winner CCAS Award, Rail D’OC AwardWHAT WE KNOW, by Jordi Núnez
Goa International Film Festival of India: PanoramaPASSION, by Maja Borg
CPH Documentary Film Festival Copenhagen: Dox Award CompetitionPLAYTIME, by Simone Bozzelli
Locarno International Film Festival: Pardi di Domani Competition;
Torino Film Festival: Winner Best Italian Short FilmCUT!, by Marc Ferrer
D’A Film Festival Barcelona: Un Impulso Colectivo2020
DRY WIND, by Daniel Nolasco
Berlin International Film Festival: Panorama;
Molodist Film Festival Kiev: Winner Special Mention Sunny Bunny Award Best LGBTQIA+ Film
Iris Prize Cardiff: Winner Best Actor
OutFest Los Angeles: Special Mention International Narrative Feature Film CompetitionLA DEUXIÈME, by Jelle Stroo
Rotterdam International Film Festival: Bright Future Competition7 MINUTES, by Ricky Mastro
Rome Independent Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionCOALESCE, by Jessé Miceli
Cannes Acid: Official SelectionPANTHERS, by Érika Sanches Marcos
Berlin International Film Festival: Generation – Short FilmsJ’ADOR, by Simone Bozzelli
Venice Critics’ Week: Winner Best Short FilmINLAND, by Mauro Colombo
Rotterdam International Film Festival: Bright Future Out of CompetitionWE WILL NEVER DIE, by Eduardo Crespo
San Sebastian International Film Festival: Feature Film Competition;
Mar del Plata International Film Festival: Winner Best Editing National Feature Film Competition;
Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Winner Nueva Vision Award Best Latin American FilmASPHALT GODDESS, by Julián Hernández
Morelia International Film Festival: Out of CompetitionIT’S JUST IN MY HEAD, by Marius Gabriel Stancu
Rome Independent Film Festival: Italian Short Film CompetitionDRAMARAMA, by Jonathan Wysocki
San Francisco International Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionA STORMY NIGHT, by David Moragas
Malaga International Film Festival: Official Selection2019
BRIEF STORY FROM THE GREEN PLANET, by Santiago Loza
Berlin International Film Festival: Panorama, Twice Winner Teddy Award Best LGBTQIA+ Film (Jury and Audience);
Sitges Catalunya Fantastic Film Festival: Winner Blood Window Award, Queer Kong Award Best LGBTQIA+ Film;
OutFest Los Angeles: Winner Best Screenplay International Narrative Feature Film;
Viña del Mar International Film Festival: Winner Distribution Award;
Bafici Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival: Winner Special Mention National Feature Film CompetitionQUERÊNCIA, by Helvecio Marins Jr.
Berlin International Film Festival: Forum;
Jeonju International Film Festival: Winner Best Feature FilmVARIAÇÕES, by João Maia
Seville European Film Festival – Out of CompetitionCINEMA MOROCCO, by Ricardo Calil
Guadalajara International Film Festival: Winner Best Latin American Documentary;
It’s All True Documentary Film Festival: Winner Best Brazilian DocumentaryARIMA, by Jaione Camborda
Seville European Film Festival: Award Best Director New Wave CompetitionBITTER YEARS, by Andrea Adriatico
Rome International Film Festival: Out of CompetitionDAYS AND WORKS, by Francesco Dongiovanni
Torino Film Festival: Italian Documnetary CompetitionDECEMBERS, by Enrique Castro Ríos
Istanbul International Film Festival: Winner Human Rights in Cinema;
Rome Independent Film Festival: Winner Special Mention Best Screenplay;
Panama International Film Festival: Best Feature Film2018
TATTOO OF REVENGE, by Julián Hernández
Morelia International Film Festival: Out of CompetitionTHIRTY SOULS, by Diana Toucedo
Berlin International Film Festival: Panorama;
Goya Awards: Nominated;
Festival Cinespaña Toulouse: Winner Best Photography Feature Film CompetitionGRIMSEY, by Richard Garcia, Raúl Portero
Guadalajara International Film Festival: Maguey Award Out of CompetitionTHE FLOWER SHOP, by Ruben Desière
Rotterdam International Film Festivsl: Bright Future CompetitionSUNBURN, by Vicente Alves Do Ó
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionFIGURES, by Eugenio Canevari
San Sebastian International Film Festival: Horizontes Latinos Competition2017
GOTTHARD – ONE LIFE, ONE SOUL, by Kevin Merz
Locarno International Film Festival: Piazza Grande Closing Night titleTO THE CHILDREN THE BEAUTY, by Rocío Caliri, Melina Marcow
D’A Film Festival Barcelona: Feature Film CompetitionWILLIAM, THE NEW JUDO MASTER, by Ricardo Silva, Omar Guzmán
Rotterdam International Film Festivsl: Bright Future Competition;
Ficunam Film Festival Mexico City: Winner Ahora Mexico Special MentionUPON THE SHADOWS, by Nada Mezni Hafaied
Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival: Human Rights Competition;
Carthage International Film Festival: Winner Bronze Tanith, Special Mention ARFTPAULISTAS, by Daniel Nolasco
Dok Leipzig: Next Masters CompetitionTHE RIDDLE, by Francesco Dongiovanni
Torino Film Festival, Italian Short Film CompetitionAL BERTO, by Vicente Alves Do Ó
Miami International Film Festival: HBO Ibero American CompetitionCUERNAVACA, by Alejandro Andrade Pease
Rome International Film Festival: Feature Film Competition2016
LE CANCRE, by Paul Vecchiali
Cannes Film Festival: Official Selection, Special ScreeningsTHE CULT, by André Antônio
Göteborg Internatinal Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionAN AFTERTHOUGHT, by Matteo Bernardini
Giffoni International Film Festival: Competition (+ 10 Elements)THE PARK, by Damien Manivel
Cannes Acid: Official Selection
Jeonju International Film Festival: Winner Best Feature FilmSTUDIO, by Francesco Dongiovanni
Torino Film Festival: Italian Short Film CompetitionDELUSION IS REDEMPTION TO THOSE IN DISTRESS, by Fellipe Fernandes
Cannes Critics’ Week: Official Section – Short Films
São Paulo International Short Film Festival: Winner Audience AwardTHE OBJECTS OF LOVE, by Adrián Silveste
Seville European Film Festival: Winner FIPRESCI Award Best Feature FilmJESS & JAMES, by Santiago Giralt
Bafici Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival – Cine Argentino ContemporaneoPADRE, by Giada Colagrande
Morelia International Film Festival: Special Screenings2015
IL NIDO, by Klaudia Reynicke
Locarno International Film Festival: Filmmakers of the Present CompetitionCHICKENPOT, by Fulvio Risuleo
Cannes Critics’ Week: Winner Best Short FilmLONELY STARS, by Fernando Urdapilleta
Guadalajara International Film Festival: Maguey Award CompetitionTHE BEAR’S TALES, by Samuele Sestieri, Olmo Amato
Rotterdam International Film Festival: Bright Future CompetitionANAPESON, by Francesco Dongiovanni
Torino Film Festival: Italian Short Film CompetitionCARMIN TROPICAL, by Rigoberto Perezcano
Viennale: Official Selection;
Morelia International Film Festival: Winner Best Feature FilmHETEROPHOBIA, by Goyo Anchou
Torino Film Festival: WavesIN CALIFORNIA, by Charles Redon
IDFA Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam: First Appereance Competition2014
THE STUPID ONES AND THE SILLY ONES, by Roberto Castón
San Sebstian International Film Festival: New Directors Competition;
Cinehorizontes Spanish Film Festival Marseille: Winner Jury Grand Prize Feature Film Competition
Nantes Spanish Film Festival: Winner Jury Special Mention Feature Film CompetitionANNOUNCE EARTHQUAKES, by Rocío Caliri, Melina Marcow
Torino Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionA YOUNG POET, by Damien Manivel
Locarno International Film Festival: Winner Special Mention Filmmakers of the Present
Pesaro International Film Festival: Best Feature FilmWHITE NIGHT ON THE PIER, by Paul Vecchiali
Locarno International Film Festival: Winner Boccalino d’Oro AwardI AM HAPPINESS ON EARTH, by Julián Hernández
Frameline Film Festival San Francisco: International Narrative Feature Film CompetitionA NOBLE REVOLUTION, by Simone Cangelosi
Torino Film Festival: Italian Documentary CompetitionAND THERE WAS EVENING AND THERE WAS MORNING, by Emanuele Caruso
Cairo International Film Festival: Feature Film CompetitionLATE SEASON, by Danilo Caputo
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival: Forum of Independents Competition;
Rome Independent Film Festival: Winner Best Feature Film2013
QUEBRANTO, by Roberto Fiesco
Guadalajara International Film Festival: Winner Special Mention Latin American Documentary Competition, Maguey Award Best LGBTQIA+ Film, Guerrero de la Prensa Award;
San Sebastian InternationaL Film Festival: Winner Sebstiane Latino Award Best LGBTQIA+ Latin American Film;
La Habana Latin American Film Festival: Winner Memoria Documentary AwardALL ABOUT PIERA, by Peter Marcias
Torino Film Festival: Festa Mobile2012
MY DESTINY, by Peter Marcias
Torino Film Festival: Festa Mobile