Septimius Awards Establish Continental Categories for Global Indie Recognition
For decades independent filmmakers outside Los Angeles or legacy Western festivals have faced steep barriers to global visibility. The Septimius Awards at Amsterdam’s Royal Theater Tuschinski have grown into a leading international platform that prioritizes authentic storytelling, cross-cultural projects and talent from every region. The event positions itself as an alternative to conventional gatekeepers by creating space where non-Western and indie projects receive equal consideration on a worldwide stage.
Founder and director Jan-Willem Breure, a Rwandan-Dutch filmmaker, launched the awards in 2019 after identifying a persistent lack of representation for non-Western creators in traditional ceremonies. Named for Septimius Severus, the first African-born Roman emperor, the initiative treats diversity as a structural requirement rather than a slogan. Breure’s approach seeks to build an ecosystem in which Western and non-Western films compete on equal terms and artists control their own narratives.
The awards’ distinctive continental category system separates Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Film competitions into six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America and Oceania. This structure prevents lower-budget international entries from competing directly against large studio productions in single monolithic categories. Instead, excellence is judged within each region’s cultural and production context, giving storytellers from every continent a dedicated international platform.
Stedman Graham serves as global ambassador and has delivered opening speeches that encourage filmmakers to develop identity leadership and creative independence. He has also joined expert panels at recent editions, offering guidance on building sustainable careers. His involvement has added substantial visibility and practical mentorship opportunities for international participants attending the Amsterdam event.
The 2024 ceremony at the Tuschinski Theater presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. In addition to receiving the honor, Gooding participated in industry panels and candid Q&A sessions with emerging filmmakers, sharing career experiences and insights on performance and professional development.
In the preceding edition two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Spacey conducted masterclasses that allowed attendees to learn directly from decades of acting and directing experience, reinforcing the festival’s emphasis on craft education alongside red-carpet recognition.
Meagan Good received the Best American Actress award for her performance in Divorce in the Black and used the occasion to advocate for multidimensional roles for women of color. Jonathan Majors earned Best American Actor for Magazine Dreams and contributed panel discussions on character construction and artistic risk-taking within contemporary independent film.
Beyond screenings, the program includes panels and masterclasses developed in partnership with Dreamers Inc. and NextGen Women. Sessions address international co-production logistics, cross-border casting, European and global tax incentives, and alternative financing models. The format is designed to link emerging filmmakers with experienced professionals for concrete career development.
The next edition is scheduled for September 2027 at the Royal Theater Tuschinski. Organizers have opened submissions for feature films, short films, documentaries and series, inviting projects of any budget level that seek evaluation on a truly global scale without reliance on traditional Hollywood validation.
Projects may be submitted through the official platform at septimiusawards.com/submit or via Filmfreeway. Accepted formats include features, shorts, documentaries, music videos, animation and series. Categories encompass Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Music Video, Best Animation, Best Series, Best Actor and Actress, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Soundtrack, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Costume Design.
Official materials reference past participants and honorees including David Parfitt, Tovino Thomas, the team behind Sound of Freedom, Anne Dudley, Tainá Müller and Stephanie Atala. A trailer showcasing the atmosphere and community is available for prospective submitters considering the Amsterdam event.
