Beyond the Frame makes film history with The Last Delivery

Team Beyond the Frame won the top prize on Saturday, 22 August, at the 48 Hour Film Project Suriname. The production De Laatste Bezorging was named Best Film by the professional jury. In doing so, the team made history as the first winner of the official Surinamese edition of the international film competition.

Of the original ten participating teams, nine succeeded in writing, filming and editing a short film within the set deadline. The productions were made during the film weekend from Friday, 14 August through Sunday, 16 August. The films subsequently premiered during a Screening and Award Show at TBL Cinemas for filmmakers, family members, friends and invited guests.

In the competition, the teams were assigned a genre by draw. In addition, mandatory elements had to appear in every film. For Suriname, these were a receipt as a prop, Marie or Mark Samson as a parcel delivery person, and the line “Are we going together, or are you going alone?” The conditions can also be found on the official page of the 48 Hour Film Project Suriname.

De Laatste Bezorging wins 48 Hour Film Project Suriname

De Laatste Bezorging finished in first place. The film (Ver)bode by team Anomaly came second, while De Verwenning took third place. The victory earned Beyond the Frame not only the evening’s main prize. The production was also awarded Best Editing and Best Director.

The independent professional jury was chaired by Kenzo Soemodihardjo. The productions were assessed on, among other things, story, acting performances, directing, cinematography, editing, sound and the creative use of the mandatory elements. According to Soemodihardjo, the differences were not easy to determine and lengthy discussions preceded the final decisions.

First film earns Damasio Bogiman multiple awards

Director Damasio Bogiman received both the Best Director and Best Editing awards. Notably, De Laatste Bezorging was his first film production. Before that, Bogiman was mainly involved in smaller advertising productions. He appeared visibly surprised by the awards and said he could hardly believe that his first film had immediately won multiple prizes.

Team leader and producer Natasia Tjang A Sin also described it as a special experience. According to her, the production was only possible through the efforts of the entire team. The limited time created great pressure and sleepless nights, but according to the makers, it also resulted in strong teamwork.

The first Surinamese edition shows how much creativity and film talent the country has to offer.

Story of De Laatste Bezorging surprises audience

The winning film takes place almost entirely in one room and revolves around a couple in which the man verbally and physically abuses his partner. According to him, she neglects her household duties because she constantly orders items online. Parcel delivery person Marie Samson is repeatedly confronted with what is happening in the home during her deliveries.

The makers deliberately have the delivery person react in a way that leads the audience to expect that she will eventually intervene. According to Bogiman, that was part of the story’s build-up. The unexpected twist at the end prompted loud applause and enthusiastic reactions from the audience during the screening.

48 Hour Film Project Suriname opens international doors

City Producer Melissa Verboeket played an important role in bringing the project to Suriname. She is of Surinamese descent and has been involved with the 48 Hour Film Project in Curaçao for several years. According to Verboeket, during previous international editions she repeatedly wondered why Surinamese productions were absent.

The screening of documentaries by Surinamese filmmakers during the Curaçao International Film Festival earlier this year was, she said, what convinced her to establish a Surinamese edition. She sees the project as a training ground where emerging makers can learn from experienced filmmakers, while professionals in turn are surprised by the creativity of new talent.

Surinamese winner to Filmapalooza 2027

With the victory, Beyond the Frame has the opportunity to represent Suriname at Filmapalooza 2027 in Curaçao. Winning productions from local 48 Hour Film Project competitions in different parts of the world come together there. For Surinamese filmmakers, participation also means access to an international network of creators and potential future collaborations.

Other films also received multiple awards during the Surinamese award ceremony. Notable productions included (Ver)bode, De Verwenning, Uit de Stilte, De Laatste Bezorging and Kassabon. The Audience Award, for which the public could vote during the premiere, went to (Ver)bode by team Anomaly.

More attention for Suriname’s growing film sector

The organisation ultimately wants to make the nine productions accessible to a wider audience as well. Agreements still need to be made and funding secured for this. The development aligns with other initiatives seeking to give local filmmakers greater visibility. Key News previously wrote about the PREN Ki Short Film Festival and the growing attention for Surinamese film productions.

According to the organisation, the first edition has also sparked interest in other countries in the region. Trinidad and Tobago has already taken steps towards participating in the international film project, while there is also interest in Guyana. Verboeket says she is particularly impressed by the solidarity and dedication of the Surinamese participants.

First edition leaves audiences wanting more

According to the organisation, the filmmakers themselves contributed to, among other things, promotional material and other necessities for the event. Dwight Cooman of CoPix Films received special recognition during the ceremony for his own initiative to promote the project online.

The first edition has therefore produced not only winners, but also a new platform for local film talent. The ambition is for more Surinamese creators to take on the challenge in a future edition and use film to show the stories and creative possibilities Suriname has to offer.