Best Film Nominees:
Wisper: Bolivia’s 1 in 12 Million
Directed by Rich Bowen at OG Esports
Adrián “Wisper” Céspedes – a kid from Bolivia who ended up defying the odds to make it to Dota’s biggest stage, becoming one of OG Esports’ most important players.
Heroes of Lofoten
Directed by Johanna Cederstrøm at MistGames
Heroes of Lofoten: A Counter-Strike Experience above the Arctic Circle. Last year MistGames flew some of the greatest Counter-Strike talents in Europe to one of the most beautiful places in the world, Lofoten.
Bad Moon Rising | Cyberpunk 2077 Fanfilm
Directed by Kira Cesnik
In Night City there is chaos in every corner. So when V gets a gig from an unknown caller regarding some deadly cyberware, it’s up to him to save the day.
Chuck & Fern
Directed by Henry Alexander Kelly
Within a fantasy video game, a heroic swordsman and a D-List villain face an existential crisis but must push past it when a greater purpose calls.
Live Legendary: Launders
Directed by Chew Productions
This documentary chronicles the journey of Launders, the beloved Counter-Strike caster. Growing up in Toronto, Launders is the son of a determined mother of Indian descent, who immigrated to Canada in search of a better life. His early years were spent with his mother in a women’s shelter, where he learned the resilience and strength that will define his future. In his youth, Launders struggled to find his path, working blue-collar jobs and occasionally falling into trouble. His life took a pivotal turn when he joined a “Big Brother” program and was paired with a mentor who saw his potential and encouraged him to reach for it. This is a story of a mother and son, of friendship, and the power of finding one’s true passion. It highlights the impact of positive influences and the transformative power of believing in oneself.
24 Hour Making of a CHAMPION: An MLBB Esports Exclusive
Directed by MOONTON Games
MLBB Esports presents an exclusive look at the historic triumph by Selangor Red Giants at the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup 2024. Take a look behind the scenes at Malaysia’s greatest achievement in MLBB.
Best Student Film Nominees:
Zara – My Game
Directed by Jack Carmell
This documentary follows Zara Horton, a former professional windsurfer for Team GB, as she takes a leap of faith into studying esports instead of taking a traditional route. Viewers follow her journey through University esports and how she has used her competitive nature to her advantage.
Questopia
Directed by Shahzer Kashif
Danny’s gaming obsession turns deadly as he fights for his life in a game he thought he had total control over.
C++
Directed by Bashar Taha Abduljabbar
The story follows Yassin, a skilled programmer who tragically loses his wife, Suzanne, due to medical malpractice. Driven by anger and thirst for justice, Yassin kidnaps the negligent doctor, Khalid, responsible for Susan’s death. Within a virtual reality video game of his own creation, Yassin manipulates Khalid’s perception, confronting him with the truth behind Susan’s death. As the game unfolds, Khalid discovers shocking revelations and faces his fate, leading to a climactic showdown between Yassin and Khalid. “C++” explores themes of justice, loss, and the consequences of blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
Prize Pool & Categories
With a total prize pool of €6,000 courtesy of not-for-profit partner, ESG Gaming, the festival recognises outstanding contributions across two categories—Best Film and Best Student Film. The breakdown of prizes is as follows:
•Best Film
1st Place: €2,500 | 2nd Place: €1,500
•Best Student Film
1st Place: €1,500 | 2nd Place: €500
Judging Panel
The nominees will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including:
•Hélène Juguet – Managing Director, Ubisoft Film & TV Paris
•Lee Willows – Founder & Executive Chair, ESG Gaming
•Stuart Burnside – Video Game Certification Manager – British Film Institute
•Karina Ziminaite – CEO – Z1MT Creative
•Alex Weber – Award-Winning Filmmaker
•Rui Pedro da Tendinha – Film Critic & Presenter
About the ESI Film Festival
Building on the success of its debut, the ESI Film Festival is dedicated to highlighting the unique and compelling stories within the esports and gaming industries. In 2024, the festival heads to Lisbon with a scaled-up event at the MEO Arena, offering even more opportunities for filmmakers to showcase their work. The festival encourages original short films on themes, aiming to foster collaboration between the film, gaming, and esports sectors. This year’s event promises to be a key highlight of ESI Lisbon, as it continues to shine a light on the narratives that define the gaming community.
Join Us at ESI Lisbon 2024
In addition to the ESI Film Festival, ESI Lisbon 2024 will feature:
ESI Lisbon: The new flagship event will take place alongside the SBC Summit. A true combination of all the most prominent parts of the evolving industry, ESI Lisbon will feature the largest exhibition space yet, two stages, and the best in networking and professional socialising. Bringing together esports, video games, and the creator economy, ESI Lisbon is set to be the largest b2b event & industry festival in this crossover to date. Over 100+ Speakers, 15+ exhibitors and 1000+ attendees.
ESI Hall of Fame: Honouring the individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the esports industry.
Play By The Rules: A dedicated legal forum focusing on the critical legal aspects of esports, including player contracts, intellectual property, and governance.
Esports Leaders: An exclusive, invitation-only event for C-suite executives and founders to engage in high-level discussions and networking.
Comment / David Raedeker BSC / member of the BSC sustainability committee