The 2026 ESRA Brussels Professional Jury for Graduation Films convened in a prestigious setting at the CINEMATEK – Royal Belgian Film Archive, bringing together students, industry professionals, and jury members for a day dedicated to filmmaking and the emerging talents of tomorrow.
A key moment in the curriculum for senior students, this jury review marks the culmination of several months of work, collaboration, and artistic dedication. The films presented showcase the students’ technical expertise, creativity, and commitment across all areas of filmmaking: directing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, editing, post-production, and music composition.
A jury composed of recognized professionals
For the 2026 edition, ESRA Brussels had the honor of hosting a jury composed of renowned professionals from the audiovisual industry:
- Nathalie Delens, Director of Post-Production
- Michel Duprez, Film Score Composer
- Jean-Stéphane Garbe, Fiction Mixer
- Guillaume Senez, Screenwriter and Director
Throughout the day, the jury members watched the screenings of the graduation films before beginning their deliberations. Their expertise and professional insight helped highlight the most outstanding works from this graduating class.
An edition marked by the success of the film “Trash”
This year, several projects stood out in particular, notably the film “Trash, ” which won several major awards, confirming the quality of the collaborative work carried out by its creative and technical teams.
The jury praised the coherence of the artistic proposal, the quality of its technical execution, and the strength of its creative vision, making this project one of the big winners of this year's competition.
Best Music: Oscar Nunzi Wins Award for “Arsène”
The first award presented was for Best Music, which Michel Duprez presented to Oscar Nunzi for his work on the film “Arsène.”
This award highlights the importance of musical composition in cinematic storytelling and the composer’s ability to reinforce the film’s emotional identity. The quality of the soundtrack particularly caught the jury’s attention due to its sensitivity and its consistency with the film’s world.
Best Sound: An Award for the "Trash" Team
The Best Sound Award was presented tothe sound team of the film “Trash,” directed by Jean-Stéphane Garbe.
This award recognizes particularly outstanding technical work—in sound recording, editing, and mixing—that fully contributes to immersing the viewer in the film’s world.
Best Editing and Best Cinematography: The Technical Mastery of “Trash”
Nathalie Delens presented two awards tothe cinematography and post-production team of the film “Trash ”:
- Best Image
- Best Editing
These awards recognize the project’s visual mastery as well as the quality of the storytelling achieved through editing. The jury particularly highlighted the film’s aesthetic coherence and the precision of its narrative rhythm, two elements essential to its cinematic effectiveness.
Best Screenplay and Best Film: Clara Herbert Wins Two Awards
Finally, director and screenwriter Guillaume Senez presented the two most prestigious awards of this year's festival:
- Best Screenplay
- Best Film
Clara Herbert received both of these awards for “Trash.”
This double honor recognizes a project that won over the jury with the quality of its writing, the power of its message, and the overall mastery of its production. Having won awards in several categories, “Trash” has established itself as one of the standout works of the Class of 2026.
An evening filled with warmth and camaraderie
After the awards ceremony, the participants gathered at the Plein Publiek for a social gathering over drinks.
The reception provided an opportunity for students, faculty, alumni, and professionals in attendance to continue their conversations in a warm and festive atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of this day dedicated to celebrating talent and creativity.
ESRA Brussels extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the students who presented their films at the 2026 edition. Each project is a testament to the talent, passion, and dedication of the future film professionals trained at the school.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the jury for their presence, their time, and their discerning yet supportive evaluation of the works on display.
Through this event, ESRA Brussels reaffirms its commitment to supporting new generations of creators and helping them enter the film and audiovisual industries.
