The Septimius Awards: Jan-Willem Breure is breaking traditional rules of cinema

The film industry`s most prestigious awards have long been criticised for their Western-centric focus and lack of diversity. Jan-Willem Breure, founder of the Septimius Awards, seeks to counter these established limitations with an award system that promises equal recognition to talent from every continent.

A vision born from personal experience

Born in Rwanda and later adopted by Dutch missionaries, Breure spent his formative years in Kenya and Namibia before finally settling in the Netherlands, providing him with a unique understanding of global perspectives. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, he established JW Productions and later founded the Septimius Awards in 2022. As someone who faced discrimination and cultural barriers, Breure set out to challenge how the film industry recognises talent.

The Septimius Awards, often called the «Oscars of Europe», divides its major categories — Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Film–by continent, creating a truly global celebration of cinema.

«Every award ceremony has a cultural bias», Breure notes, «but we`ve worked to minimise that by splitting our awards into five world regions. It’s no small feat, if I will be honest. We tend to overlook so many little nuances when viewing foreign cinema. One must always keep an open mind».

Disrupting Hollywood`s status quo

While traditional award ceremonies like the Oscars, BAFTA`s, and Cannes typically spotlight Western achievements, the Septimius Awards is organised to deliberately break this pattern. The ceremony, held annually in Amsterdam, brings together Oscar winners, rising talents, and industry leaders from around the globe.

The 2024 edition only doubled down with its focus on diversity, featuring Stedman Graham as the official ambassador and hosting major figures like Cuba Gooding Jr. and Janty Yates. The event sought to superimpose meaningful industry discussions with a wider expression of artistic appreciation, forming a platform where established icons and emerging stars share equal billing.

Building a new cinema world

Beyond the ceremony, the Septimius Awards actively challenges the film industry`s traditional concepts through its unique category system. For example, in 2024, recognition was bestowed on diverse works like the Jordanian film «Inshallah a Boy», the Egyptian feature «Voy! Voy! Voy!», South Africa’s «Shaka iLembe» and Bollywood’s «Maidaan». Despite their artistic merit, these films and talent might have been overshadowed in more traditional award systems.

«To accept perfection is to deny progress», Breure states. Through Septimius Pictures, Breure`s concepts also include producing films highlighting underrepresented cultures and histories. This celebration of existing talent, while simultaneously managing to create new opportunities, has earned the Septimius Awards widespread praise from film enthusiasts and industry leaders alike.

The success of the Septimius Awards, growing annually and attracting major industry figures, suggests that the film world is ready for change. Known as the «Oscars of Europe,” the Septimius Awards indeed live up to its reputation. 

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