Congratulations to all the filmmakers participating this year - tickets are NOW available! https://www.nycindieff.com/year/2018

NEW YORK, NY –March 6, 2018– The 9th Annual NYC Independent Film Festival will take place this year from May 7th to May 13th in the heart of New York City. The Festival will screen over 250 films from over 30 countries, as well as hosting networking events and educational panels. For more information, please visit: www.nycindieff.com

Watch Festival founder, Dennis Cieri, speak about last year’s Festival on NBC News 4 New York: http://bit.ly/1L8U0dk

The Festival serves as a showcase for the best of indie film from over 30 countries around the world. Official selections at the Festival have gone on to be shortlisted at the Oscars, most recently including 2018 Best Animated Short nominee In a Heartbeat, as well as get distribution at our events, including 2017 official selection Bruce, acquired by Comedy Dynamics. The Festival is placing a heavy emphasis on educating young, independent filmmakers by offering panels and presentations on topics including Film Distribution, Music Licensing, Film Finance, Women in Film, and many more.

For the second year, the Festival will be holding a Virtual Reality showcase, exhibiting the finalists in the category. The VR showcase is open to the public for free! In response to multiple sold out screenings in 2017, the Festival will also be hosting live performances by our short sketch finalists after their video screening.

The NYC Independent Film Festival celebrates true independent cinema. The non-profit organization’s mission is to support independent filmmakers and showcase the best independent films, from all around the world, to the public and the entertainment industry in New York City.

WHO: 9th Annual New York City Independent Film Festival

WHEN: May 7th - May 13th, 2018

WHAT: Selection of independent films spanning feature, documentary, short, super short, music videos, art videos, animation, as well as a VR showcase and industry panels.

For more information and to stay updated on NYC Independent Film Festival:

Website link for tickets: https://www.nycindieff.com/sessions/may-7-2018

Facebook, Twitter, Instgram: @nycindieff

The awards go to those filmmakers, television producers and videographers who produce fresh, standout entertainment and compelling documentaries. The Accolade is an international awards competition that honors those who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity.

~ Best of Show ~

Chadden Hunter – Planet Earth II – Grasslands

Chadden Hunter (United Kingdom), Planet Earth II – Grasslands – Grasslands cover one quarter of all land and support vast gatherings of wildlife, but to survive here animals must endure the most hostile seasonal changes on the planet. From Asia’s bizarre-looking saiga antelope to the giant anteaters of Brazil, grassland animals have adapted in extraordinary ways to cope with these extremes. In the flooded Okavango, lions take on formidable buffalo in epic battles, on the savannah bee-eaters take advantage of elephants to help catch insects and, on the freezing northern tundra, caribou embark on great migrations shadowed by hungry Arctic wolves. Biologist turned BAFTA and Emmy nominee Chadden Hunter and his talented team of filmmakers, use state-of-the-art technology combined with tenacity and creativity to deliver an intimate spectacle. Driven by stunning and compelling images and woven together with a tight and fascinating narrative Grasslands delivers both grand and intimate images of nature and wildlife rarely seen. Narrated by the legendary Emmy, BAFTAand Peabody winner Sir David Attenborough and aired on BBC One.

~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~

Vic Sarin (Canada), Keepers of the Magic, Doc Feature – Emmy-winner Sarin celebrates the art of cinematography and some of the most iconic moments in film. With Oscar winners Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now) and John Seale (Mad Max) and Oscar nominees Cesar Charlone (City of God), Roger Deakins (A Beautiful Mind) and Gordon Willis (The Godfather).

Rajat Goswami (India), Sachin: A Billion Dreams, Film Feature – Directed by Emmy-nominee James Erskine this docu-drama about Sachin Tendulkar tells his story from a small boy, full of dreams to becoming India’s God of Cricket with humility and a grounded life view. Beautiful cinematography and reenactments, creative editing and a compelling soundtrack.

Melanie Mayron (USA), SNAPSHOTS, Film Feature – A grandmother’s secret past collides with her granddaughter’s secret future and her daughter’s angry present. Poignant performances and deft direction. Oscar winner Piper Laurie(Carrie), Brooke Adams (Days of Heaven), producer Jan Miller Corran, directed by Emmy-winner Mayron (Pretty Little Liars, Mean Girls).

István Tasnádi (Hungary), Memo, Film Feature – An ambitious psychiatrist researching a unique mental state of hypermnesia checks a psychotic patient out of the mental institute at his own risk to teach his father how to remember and teach his patient how to forget. A captivating storyline and excellent performances from Tamás Lengyel, Áron Molnár and Péter Haumann.

Lynda Reiss (USA / UK), Ready to Go, Film Short – A short film about a big question – one man’s bittersweet emotional journey, prompted by the loss of his furry best friend and his ruminations on life and death. Deftly directed by Reiss with relatable poignancy, humor and unexpected turns. Anchored with an excellent performance by the earnest Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey).

Stephen Rooke, Tile Films (Ireland), Aerial Ireland, History / Biographical – Produced for the Smithsonian Channel by award winning filmmaker Stephen Rooke (Waterways, Saving the Titanic), this is a revealing story of Ireland’s geology, natural terrain and human history as seen from the air with stunning drone footage complemented by a captivating script and skilled editing. 

James Parris (USA), Pink and Blue, Animation – Industry vet Parris’ (The Lion King, Spider-Man) animated short promoting gender-equality and challenging gender-segregation from a toys-eye-view. Funny, relevant and relatable. Voiced by Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill v2), Emmy winner LeVar Burton (Roots), Michael Madsen (Die Another Day) and Yvette Nicole Brown (Community).

Richard Crompton, PCI Media (USA), 27 Empty School Buses, Special Purpose Productions – Unforgettable visual action in the heart of New York sees empty school buses with different slogans highlighting the UN report that 27 million children worldwide are denied education due to war. Captivating visuals and impactful sound design drive this poignant film.

Klaus Naumann, Naumann Film (Germany),ARRI Camera Stabilizer Systems Showreel, Sales / Branding – By showing a dream-like dance choreography with two professional dancers in an abandoned factory, the possibilities of the new ARRI camera stabilization systems are demonstrated through Naumann’s prolific cinematic and creative style.

Arjan Wilschut (Netherlands), Deadly Drive-In Disaster, Animation – SOLA POWERS, special agent with Extra-terrestrial Affairs, jumps into action when a drive-in cinema showing a UFO invasion movie, is attacked by a real flying saucer. Fast, fun and fanciful animation.

~ Award of Excellence ~ 

Alan Williams (USA), Moving Art: Whales and Dolphins, Original Score (Moving Art: Whales and Dolphins composed by Alan Williams)
 

Alexander  Shingurov (Kazakhstan), Awareness, Actor: Leading (Alexander Shingurov as Pers, Lira, Sor, Dobryak and Letzzi), Film Short
 

Andrii Andreiev and Olga Andreieva (Ukraine), Pacific. Beyond Words, Documentary Short
 

Angie Su (USA), CELLO, Asian, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
 

Artem Makarevich (Russian Federation), Goodbye, mister D, Film Short
 

Chamoun Issa (United Kingdom), A Perfect Soldier, Film Short
 

Cohen Bacry  (Israel), I Wanted To  Tell You, Film Short
 

Daniel Bydlowski (USA), Bullies, Children / Family Programming
 

Dilek Ince (USA), Bob Jr., Women Filmmakers
 

Hayden Peek and Luke Bradford, We Are Social (United Kingdom), Force of Nature, Commercial / Infomercial, Editing (Luke Bradford)
 

Jonathan Martin (USA), Creatures of Whitechapel, Actor: Leading (Barrett Ogden as Dr. Frankenstein), Actress: Leading  (Carlee Baker as Jack the Ripper/Igor), Film Short (Student)
 

Jonathan Martin (USA), My Eternity, Music Video
 

Klaus Naumann, Naumann Film (Germany), ARRI Camera Stabilizer Systems Showreel, Direction, Cinematography, Concept and  Deutsches Museum – Experience Knowledge, Educational / Instructional / Training, Cinematography, Direction, and Cramo, Corporate / Employee Communication, Concept, Direction, Cinematography and  MAN ProfiDrive, Training / Industrial Productions, Cinematography, Direction andCryptoGold, Sales / Branding / Product Demonstration, Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Concept, Special Effects: Animation

Korey Rowe (USA), Mile Marker, Documentary Feature
 

Lynda Reiss (USA), Ready to Go, Women Filmmakers, Cinematography, Actor: Leading (Kevin Doyle as Lance)
 

Maria Alvarez, USC (USA), Backpedals, Women Filmmakers
 

Media Partners (USA), “How Was Your Day?” Getting Real About Bias, Inclusion, Harassment and Bullying, Educational / Instructional / Training, Industrial / Technical / Business
 

Melanie Mayron (USA), SNAPSHOTS, Actress: Leading (Emily Goss as Louise), LGBT, Ensemble Cast
 

MMK GmbH, Tobias Messmer (Germany), MAN TopUsed – From ex-leasing to the best used vehicles, Commercial / Infomercial, Original Song (In Hell I’ll Be in Good Company by The Dead South), Creativity / Originality, Sales / Branding / Product Demonstration, Cinematography, Direction
 

Peter Dickson (Australia), Forged in Fire – Cricket’s greatest rivalry., Documentary Feature
 

Raquel Choy  (Spain), X, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
 

Rémi Rappe and Santiago Serrano (France), Araucaria Araucana, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
 

Richard Crompton, PCI Media (USA), 27 Empty School Buses, Nonprofit / Fundraising, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
 

Scott Jarnagin (USA), Sanitatum, Film Feature
 

Stephen Rooke, Tile Films (Ireland), The Great Guide to the Future, Television – Program / Series, Documentary Short (Housing), Nature / Environment / Wildlife, Direction (Martin Dwan), On-Camera Talent (Jonathan McCrea)
 

Stephen Rooke, Tile Films (Ireland), Aerial Ireland, Tourism / Travel, Cinematography, Direction
 

Theodore Tzartos (Greece), Honda Road Trips Italy 2017, Documentary Short
 

Thomas Nazario (USA), Living On A Dollar A Day, Documentary Feature
 

Toni Escandell Salom (Spain), Evolution In Isolation, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
 

William VanDerKloot (USA), The NEW BIG Plane Trip, Children / Family Programming

  ~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~

André Keiser (France), The Hope’s Stars, Experimental

Artem Makarevich (Russian Federation), Goodbye, mister D, Actor: Leading (Valeriy Pankov as Mister D)

Harleen Singh (USA), Drawn Together: Comics, Diversity and Stereotypes, Documentary Short

Hiroki Ohsawa (USA), Pandora’s Box, Actor: Leading (Kevin Dary as Alex)

Isaiah Taylor, After Light Productions (USA), Frank and Us, Pilot Program / Series

Ivo Marloh (United Kingdom), All The Wild Horses, Documentary Feature

Jennifer M Schwerin (China), Unspoken Code, Film Short

Jing (Jessie) Guo (USA), Standing With Me, Music Video (Student)

Jon Vivanco, Ane Celaya and Jon Bazo (Spain), 25 Percent, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Kevin Forde (United Kingdom), The Awakening, Film Short

Kyle Portbury (USA), Tell the World – Episode 4, Christian, Web Series

Mara Cracaleanu (Romania), Mirrorcide, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Markus Redmond (USA), Allen +  Millie: A Short Romance, Actor: Leading (Courtney Gains as Allen Mitchell)

Melanie Mayron (USA), SNAPSHOTS, Actress: Supporting (Emily Baldonias Allison)

Molly Vernon (USA), Abide, Direction

Nina Kojima (Slovenia), Libido, Film Short, Women Filmmakers  (Student)

Peter Davidson (USA), The Dryad Tree, Film Short

Porus Khareghat (India), Noor – Queen Of Ranthambore, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Richard Grover (USA), Galaxy Girl, Animation (Student)

Susheel Jangira (India), Rocking My Rockstar Jeans, Women Filmmakers

Zara Sengstock (Australia), Boyfriend, Women Filmmakers (Student)

 ~ Award of Merit ~

A.K. Espada (USA), In Silence, Islamic
 

Alan Chriest (USA), The Impact of Being Human, Documentary Short
 

Alberto Martín-Aragón (Spain), Aleluya, Experimental
 

Alberto Nacci (Italy), I Remember Frida (Hommage To Frida Kahlo), Music Video
 

Alejandro Adrian (USA), The Door, Experimental (Student)
 

Alex Afshar (Sweden), Humans, Film Short
 

Alexander Craven (USA), Ansel’s Elgar by Lynn Harrell, Music Video
 

Allsun Campbell (Canada), Tape Place, Women Filmmakers
 

André Keiser (France), The Hope’s Stars, Film Short, Original Score (La brume du coeur composed by André Keiser)
 

Angela Matemotja (USA), Elevate, Actress: Leading (Angela Matemotjaas Trina), African American, Film Feature
 

Antonio Manuel Fernandez Lorenzo (Spain), The Ghost of Tacande, Film Feature
 

Baxter Chelsom (USA), Columbus Day, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Bellopropello (Switzerland), dystopia, Animation
 

Carlos Moreno Jr. (USA), Sweet Blight, Actress: Leading (Luella Hill as Celisse)
 

Charging Moose Media (USA), The Hunted: Encore – Season 2, Web Series
 

Chris and Maurice Micallef, CMM Productions (Malta), KANNIZZATI FISHING, Documentary Short, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
 

Christopher Pinero (USA), A Dark Place, Film Feature
 

Donald Harrison (USA), The Rockstar of Real Estate, Documentary Feature
 

Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), Kindness is a Human Act (Selection from Xun Zi), Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays and  More about quadrilaterals, Educational / Instructional / Training andOnline Information: Real or Fake?, Educational / Instructional / Training

Einari Paakkanen (Finland), My Father from Sirius, Documentary Feature
 

Farhaan Aziz (United Kingdom), The Chaos Candidate: How Trump Won, Documentary Feature
 

Flying Kite Studios (Australia), Tendency To Love, Actor: Leading (Gerard John as Dr Michael Lawrence), Original Score (Tendency to Love, composed by Gerard John), Original Song (Tendenza Ad Amar, composed by Gerard John), Editing (Chris David)
 

Francesca Di Marco (USA), The Woman All Women Once Were, Documentary Short (Student)
 

Hayden Croft (USA), Last Wish, Film Short
 

Hosam Abu Dan and Pam Bailey (Gaza, Palestine/ USA), Six Miles Out, Documentary Short
 

Jake Segelbaum (USA), Monumental Change, Documentary Short (Student)
 

Jennifer M Schwerin (China), Unspoken Code, Actress: Leading (Augusta Xu-Hollande as Rhonda)
 

Jeremy Lowery (USA), Hell Followed With Him, Film Short
 

Jerzy Bojanowski, Dragan Film (Poland), Dark Iron, Script / Writer (Jerzy Bojanowski), Costume Design (Magdalena Osman), Original Score (Mariusz Ostanski)
 

Jesse Levi Sutherland (Australia), Rainbow Blood, Documentary Short
 

Jesse Rapaport (USA), Circumstantial, Disability Issues
 

Joachim Weber (Germany), Pensioners Chips Episode 5  Us Presidential Campaign, Animation
 

Johannes Grenzfurthner (Austria), Glossary of Broken Dreams, Film Feature
 

Julie Epp (Canada), As We Are, LGBT
 

Kailin Gow (USA), A New Year’s Story, Children / Family Programming  (Student)
 

Karin Argoud (USA), Top Row, Documentary Short
 

Luke Bradford and Giovanna (United Kingdom), Surrender with Strength, Music Video
 

Markus Redmond (USA), Allen +  Millie: A Short Romance, Actress: Leading (Brooke Lewis as Millie Lane), Film Short
 

MediaLab, Pacific Lutheran University (USA), A World of Difference: El Paso, TX, Documentary Short, Documentary Program / Series, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Original Score (El Paso, Texas composed by Dalton Rouse)
 

MediaLab, Pacific Lutheran University (USA), A World of Difference: Sedalia, MO, Documentary Short, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Original Score (Sedalia, Missouri composed by Dalton Rouse), Documentary Program / Series, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Editing

Mei-yi Cheng, Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), Joyful and Balanced Development for Young Children Education, Children / Family Programming
 

Mele Mason (USA), HOME? A Study of Foster Care, Documentary Short and We Are Dreamers, Documentary Short
 

Michael Carpenter (Australia), My Man In Red, Music Video
 

Michael Weatherly (USA), Jamaica Man, Documentary Feature
 

Molly Vernon (USA), Abide, Christian
 

Mrigank Dubey (India), You and Me, Film Short
 

Nico Mastorakis (USA), Mykonos, The Soul Of An Island, Documentary Feature
 

Paul Russell (Malaysia), The Returning, Film Short
 

Peter Jacobs (USA), Coffee Notes, Film Short
 

Randy Stoudt (USA), Rare Breed, Documentary Feature
 

Renato Lepsch (Brazil), “Acolá” (There), Film Short
 

Robert Fantozzi (Australia), AutoCarrot, Film Short
 

Robert Fritz (USA), Party On The Moon, Documentary Feature
 

Russ Emanuel (USA), Occupants, Actor: Leading (Michael Pugliese as Neil Curtis), Actress: Leading (Briana White as Annie Curtis), Film Feature
 

Russ Emanuel (USA), Collar, Actor: Leading (Sean Gunnell as Tall Man), Actor: Supporting (Michael Ray as Father Harris), Film Short
 

Sarah Savannah Griffin (USA), Happiness, Film Short (Student)
 

Shana Dixon (USA), Petals, African American (Student)
 

Shinobu Imao (Japan), DAZAIBASHI-Bridge, Film Short
 

Sivakumar B (India), Anandha Yaz, Film Short
 

Stephen M. Naylor (USA), STEM PSA, Public Service Programming / PSA
 

Toby Trueman and Mally Graveson (United Kingdom), African Witchfinder, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
 

Usher Morgan (USA), Pickings, Film Feature
 

Uwe Schwarzwalder (Switzerland), The Radicalization of Jeff Boyd, Original Score (The Radicalization of Jeff Boyd by Michael Klubertanz, Paco Periago and Brendan Gillespie)
 

Vokee Lee (USA), Worth, History / Biographical
 

Wijnand Geraerts (Netherlands), ADORE THE WORLD, Experimental
 

Will Darbyshire (United Kingdom), Us, Film Short Yun Huang (USA), Stardust, Asian

 ~ Award of Recognition ~

Alex Bartz (USA), The Flashback, Film Short

Amr Al-Hariri (USA), Silent Love Stories – I, Actor: Leading (Jean Kartalas Jean), Actress: Leading (Roberta Sparta as Roberta), Music Video, Television – Pilot Program

André Keiser (France), The Hope’s Stars, Actress: Leading (Sandra Maeder as Jeune fille)
 

Andres Ramirez (Canada), Frame, Actor: Leading (Marcelo Gonzalez as Alex), Actress: Leading (Bailey Olson as Sophia), Film Short, Experimental, Direction (Andres Ramirez), Art Direction (Erin Danes), Script / Writer (Student)
 

Angelena Bonet (Australia), Change The World, Music Video
 

Arthur James Solomon (USA), Shady Bishes – The Series, Web Series
 

Avantika Khattri (India), For All That You Are, Actress: Leading (Avantika Khattri as Alisha)
 

Brett Leigh (USA), The Denodnaba Prologue, Experimental
 

Bruce Hyer (USA), End Of The World Rocks, Film Feature
 

Bruce Spiegel (USA), Bill Evans Time Remembered, Documentary Feature
 

Chiu Lei (USA/Hong Kong), I Am The White Tiger, Documentary Feature
 

Chris David and Lauren Barrett (Australia), I Killed Paul Allen with an Axe in the Face, Experimental (Student)
 

Dan and Bramwell Noah (Australia), I, Timon, Actor: Leading (Bramwell Noah as Timon), Costume Design (Terry Tubbs)
 

Derek Gieraltowski (USA), Garden, Animation (Student)

Dick Jordan (USA), Cuba, Libre?, Documentary Short
 

Don Tjernagel (USA), BROS., Film Feature
 

Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), The Happy Prince, Educational / Instructional / Training
 

Ella Bourne (Australia), Awoke, Film Short
 

Ella Mckeon (USA), Mime Doesn’t Pay, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger, Actor: Leading (Student) (Peter McKeon as The Happy Mime) and The Mom Plan, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Enrico Carnevali, Daniele Poli (USA), Love’s New Laurel, Film Short (Student)
 

Filiz Kuka (Turkey), Bejlereve Begova Beyler, Film Short
 

Geoffrey Henderson, Alonge Hawes (USA), Blue Collar Hustle, African American, Web Series
 

Hanna Xueou Yu (USA), Vincent, Women Filmmakers (Student)
 

Jacek Jedrzejczak (Poland), Exoneration, Experimental
 

Jerzy Bojanowski, Dragan Film (Poland), Dark Iron, Film Feature, Actor: Leading (Maurycy Wolf as Janek), Actress: Leading (Marta Król as Aneta Plater), Actor: Supporting (Mariusz Napora as Commissioner Mozdzer), Actress: Supporting (Joanna Rucinska as Kasandra), Makeup (Izabela Andrys, Patrycja Pulawska-Krasicka, Katarzyna Twardoch), Art Direction (Agnieszka Dragan), Direction (Jerzy Bojanowski) 

Jessica L. Catalano (USA), Fantasy Prone, Women Filmmakers
 

Louise Leth (Denmark), I, Witness, Documentary Short (Student)

MediaLab, Pacific Lutheran University (USA), A World of Difference: El Paso, TX, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Title / Credit Design
 

Michael J. Alexander (USA), The Legend of Dog Lady Island, Film Feature
 

Michelle Leigh (USA), More Than Only, Women Filmmakers
 

Muck Sticky (USA), Dig That, Zeebo Newton, Film Feature
 

Neal Mulani (USA), Fish Tank, LGBT (Student)
 

Nicolas Mendrek (Germany), Jurassic Road, Documentary Feature
 

Noel Izon (USA), We The People: A Call To Duty, Educational / Instructional / Training
 

Octavio Revol Molina (Argentina), Animal Moribus, Film Feature
 

Raghav Peri (USA), Delaware Shore, Actor: Supporting (Ed Aristone as Frederick), Title / Credit Design (Raghav Peri, Stephanie Nicholson, Phoebe Titus, David Titus), Original Score (Composed by David C. Hëvvitt)
 

Ramesh Vijayan (USA), I Miss You, Music Video
 

Ramprabhu Nakate (India), Mahasatta 2035, Film Feature
 

Sabareesh Ravi (India), Paper, Film Short
 

Shelley Titus (USA), Sistas Conversation, Reality Programming
 

Sriram Vegaraju (USA), Mirage, Webisode
 

System (Italy), One,Two,Guess Who’S Who, Film Feature
 

The Church of Almighty God (Korea), Red Re-Education at Home, Christian
 

Tom Giannini (USA), Trouble Brews @ The Aa Meeting, Film Short
 

Uwe Schwarzwalder (Switzerland), The Radicalization of Jeff Boyd, Actress: Leading (Yessica Sanchez as Wendy), Actor: Leading (Uwe Schwarzwalder as Jeff Boyd), Original Song (Fall composed by Brendan Gillespie), Actress: Supporting (Zarina Tadjibaeva as Mrs. Marinina), Actor: Supporting (Jörg Reichlin as Joe Mueller)
 

Vandana  Sengupta (India), 19th April At A Railway Platform, Actress: Supporting (Harnidh Kaur as Riya)
 

Vasco Diogo (Portugal), may I ? remix#, Experimental
 

Veronica Garcia (USA), A Place To Call Home, Documentary Short
 

Victoria Vertuga and Eric Williford (USA), Tithes, Television – Pilot Program
 

Vokee Lee (USA), Worth, Film Short, Direction, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational, Dramatic Impact
 

William H. Adams (USA), Refuge, Christian
 

Yuval Shrem (USA), The Babies, Film Short

THE PRIZES OF THE 36^TH BERGAMO FILM MEETING

COMPETITION-EXHIBITION

FIRST PRIZE BERGAMO FILM MEETING – UBI BANCA (5.000 euros)

to be a concrete help to productions that invest in young authors and indipendent cinema

ISCELITEL (SECRET INGREDIENT) by Gjorce Stavreski (Macedonia, Greece 2017)

SECOND PRIZE BERGAMO FILM MEETING

BÁBA Z LEDU (ICE MOTHER) by Bohdan Sláma (Czech Republic, Slovakia, France 2017)

THIRD PRIZE BERGAMO FILM MEETING

APOSTASY by Daniel Kokotajlo (U.K. 2017)

CLOSE UP

BEST DOCUMENTARY CGIL BERGAMO PRIZE (2.000 euros)

to the best film, voted by the public, to promote and support independent film productions

DIE DRITTE OPTION (THE THIRD OPTION) by Thomas Fürhapter (France, Switzerland 2017)

CGIL Bergamo union officials “LA SORTIE DE L'USINE” PRIZE (1.000 euros)

to the best film that deals with issues linked to labour market

MZIS QALAQI (CITY OF THE SUN) by Rati Oneli (Georgia, Netherlands, Qatar, USA 2017)

The Winners Are In! 

33rd GUADALAJARA, FILM FESTIVAL          (Mexico)

MAGUEY AWARD

Públic Award
Película: “Miss Rosewood”
Director: Helle Jensen
País: Dinamarca, Estados Unidos

Maguey Award (LGB)
Film: “Tinta Bruta”
Director: Filipe Matzembacher y Marco Reolon
Country: Brasil

IBEROAIBEROAMERICAN FILM
 Film: “El escarabajo al final de la calle”
$75,000 pesos  
Director: Joan Vives
Country: España

RIGO MORA AWARD (Animation)
Film: “32-Rbit”
$100,00 pesos
Director: Víctor Orozco Ramírez
País: México-Alemania

IBEROAMERICAN LONGFEATURE DOC.

Special Jury Award
Film: “El Espanto”
$100,000 pesos
Director: Pablo Aparo y Martín Benchimol
Argentina
Doc.: “Alberto García-Alix: La Línea de la Sombra”
$: 150,000
Dir: Nicolás Combarro García
Spain

 IBEROAMERICAN LONGFEATURE FICTION
Award: Mayahuel

Mayahuel Actress: Sofia Gala Castiglione 
Film: "Alanis" (Dir. Anahí Berneri)
Argentina                 

Mayahuel Best Actor (ex equo): Luis Gerardo Méndez 
Film: “Tiempo Compartido” (Dir. Sebastián Hofmann)
México, Holanda

Mayahuel Best Actor (ex equo): Giovanni Rodríguez 
Film “Matar a Jesus” (Dir. Laura Mora Ortega)              
Colombia, Argentina.

Mayahuel Cinematography: Óscar Catacora
Film: “Wiñaypacha” (Dir. Óscar Catacora)
Peru:

Mayahuel Script: Martín Boulocq
Film: “Eugenia” (Dir. Martín Boulocq) 
Bolivia, Brasil.

Special Jury Award: “Vivir y Otras Ficciones” 
$125,000 pesos
Director: Jo Sol Spain                                                                            

Mejor Director: Anahí Berneri      
$150 Mil pesos
Por: “Alanis”     
País: Argentina

First Film: “Wiñaypacha”
$125,000  Mil pesos
Director: Óscar Catacora
Perú

FILM: “Matar a Jesús”
$250,000
Director: Laura Mora Ortega.                  
Colombia, Argentina

MEXICAN AWARDS

PÚBLIC AWARD
Film: “Ayotzinapa, el paso de la tortuga”
Director: Enrique García Meza
México

PREMIO MEZCAL
Direction: Zita Erffa 
Germany, México   
Film: “The best thing you can do with your life”

Actress Mention: Concepción Márquez   
México
Film: “Cría Puercos” (Dir. Ehécatl García) 
                                   
Cinematographer: César Gutiérrez Miranda 
México
Fim: “La Negrada” (Dir. Jorge Pérez Solano)

Actor: Noé Hernández            
México
Por: “8 de cada 10” (Dir. Sergio Umansky Brener)

Actress: Daniela Schmidt              
Film: “8 de cada 10” (Dir. Sergio Umansky Brener)
México

Mezcal  Award Best Director: Jimena Montemayor Loyo  
Por: “Restos de Viento”
México

Mezcal Award Best Mexican Film: “Restos de viento”
$: 500,000 pesos
 México
Dir: Jimena Montemayor Loyo

Recognition of Asia emerging directors and remarkable film projects

Hong Kong, 21 March, 2018 - The 16^th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) concluded successfully today after the three-day investment forum and awards ceremony at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event gathered filmmakers, leading film financiers and industry professionals across the world to witness the first step towards their dreams. A total of 11 awards were presented to these promising and remarkable film projects.

HAF is the leading international event honouring excellence on the emerging filmmakers in Asia and offering them valuable opportunities to meet with industry professionals. The three-day event attracted leading film financiers, producers, distributors and buyers across the world, connecting them with talented filmmakers through business meetings and networking events. This year, HAF continues to organize WIP Lab to help filmmakers secure post-production funds, sales agents and film festival support. HAF will again partner with Marche du Film of Cannes Film Festival to present the “HAF Goes to Cannes” program, offering unprecedented screening opportunities and global exposure at the festival market in May for promising film projects seeking potential distribution partners and festival screenings.

HAF has been actively promoting the development of Asian film productions and it has built an important foundation for talented filmmakers to realise their visions. Throughout the years, HAF projects have found global success. This year, the 11 award winners were selected from a total of 25 HAF and 10 WIP Lab film projects. Many of the films touch on gender, family and contemporary social issues, while some others give voice to minorities in society. The total value of the awards presented amounted to approximately HK$1,400,000 (US$180,000) in cash and value in-kind, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors and partners.

1. HAF Awards (Presented by Create HK, Hong Kong Film Development Fund and HAF)

Mr. Wellington Fung, Assistant Head of Create Hong Kong, kicked off the ceremony by presenting two HAF Awards to Love in the Valley of Daughters (Hong Kong) and Saving One Who was Dead (Czech Republic) for Hong Kong Project and non-Hong Kong Project categories respectively. Each project received a cash prize of HK$150,000 (approx. US$19,200) in recognition of their originality and creativity.

2. mm2 Award (Presented by mm2 Asia Limited)

Still Human (Hong Kong) was honoured with the mm2 Award which aims to encourage Chinese-language film projects that exhibit good commercial and artistic quality. The winner was selected by the representatives of mm2 Asia Ltd. and received the cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,800).

3. Wanda WIP Lab Award (Presented by Wanda Pictures)

All WIP Lab Projects are eligible to compete for the award. The Wanda WIP Lab Award was presented the winner selected by the executives of Wanda Pictures. The cash award of HK$100,000 (approx. US$12,800) was awarded to From Black and White to Shades of Grey (China).

4. Wouter Barendrecht Award (Presented by Wouter Barendrecht Film Foundation, Create HK and Hong Kong Film Development Fund)

Dedicated to the memory of the late Wouter Barendrecht, the renowned film producer and one of the founders of HAF, the Wouter Barendrecht Award went to Let Me Rest in Peace (Japan). This cash award of HK$50,000 (approx.US$6,400) recognises a project by a director under 35 who has not made more than three feature films.

5. Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award (Presented by Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival)

The Network of Asian Fantastic Films Award was given to IMAH (working title) (Indonesia, France) with sponsored hospitality of US$2,700 (approx. HK$21,000) to participate in the 2018 Network of Asian Fantastic Films project market.

6. Wutianming Post-Production Award (Presented by China Film Foundation-Wutianming Fund for Young Talents)

The Wutianming Post-Production Award is to encourage and support young film talents. An in-kind award of RMB 300,000 (approx. HK$365,000) was given to Stonewalling (China), which will be offered post-production support by Shanghai Leading Digital Post.

7. White Light Post-Production Award (Presented by White Light Studio)

White Light Studio is designed to promote cinematic innovation and promising Asian directors. The two in-kind awards went to Vengeance is Mine, All Others Pay Cash (Indonesia) from HAF and Mosaic Portrait (China) from WIP Lab. Each project will be offered post-production services valued at US$15,000 (approx. HK$117,300) at their studio in Bangkok, Thailand.

8. G2D Post Production Award (Presented by G2D)

G2D will sponsor two in-kind awards for The Big Picture (South Korea) from HAF and AGANAI - The Atonement (Japan) from WIP Lab. Each winning project will be sponsored US$15,000 (approx. HK$117,300) towards a sound package for a film including foley, sound design, dialogue editing, atmosphere and a final mix.

9. HAF Goes to Cannes (Presented by Nicefilm)

“HAF Goes to Cannes” presents opportunities for filmmakers to look for sales agents, distributors and film festivals. Beijing Nicefilm Technology Co. Ltd., a TV and film production company in China, will provide a traveling subsidy of HK$100,000 in total to the projects selected for “HAF Goes to Cannes”, including The Man Who Surprised Everyone(Russia, France, Estonia), The Pencil(Russia),Sister(Bulgaria),The Sorcerer(Panama) and Still Human(Hong Kong).

Mr. Jacob WONG, Curator of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society and Director of the HAF said, “The 16^th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum was a great success. Thanks to the support from the fellow filmmakers and partners across the world. Many shortlisted and award-winning projects were very anticipating. We will continue to seek out and provide new opportunities for filmmakers in the region and strive to provide sufficient resources and unprecedented opportunities for the next generation talented filmmakers.”

The A³ Audience Award for Best Documentary: THE PUSH

 

The Stolman Audience Award for Best American Indie: FUNNY STORY

 

SIFF Audience Award for Best World Cinema: TULIPANI

 

Best Dramatic Short: WOODMAN

 

Best Comedy Short:  GRAHAM'S MATE

 

Best Documentary Short: EMPIRE ON MAIN STREET

 

Best Animated Short: THE DRIVER IS RED

 

Best Foreign Short: CROSSING FENCES

 

The 2018 Kalasha International TV & Film market that was held at the KICC from the 27th to the 29th of March was declared a great success.
The declaration was made by the Kenya Film Commission chairman Mr. Chris Foot during the closing ceremony of the 3 day trade show.
“This was the biggest Film & TV event held in Kenya’s history and the biggest in the region. It has been a great success, everyone is blown away by what we have managed to achieve this year. We have had three times the number of booths we had last year, delegates from 20 countries, over 40 sponsors supported the event, the largest ever number of workshops and conferences which were well attended and several major deals were struck- worth millions of shillings.”
One amongst many of the big wins was a co-production agreement signed between renowned Argentinian film maker Pablo Ceaser from the global South and a Kenyan production company worth millions, details of which will be shared in due time.

“This shows us that the country is finally seeing the huge potential of the audio-visual sector. Our industry is contributing and will continue to increase its contribution to the economy through job creation, film related tourism and positive profiling our country.”
Speaking on the future of the event, Chris mentioned the commission’s intention of hosting the event next year on a larger scale.
“We will definitely do this next year on a bigger scale, look out for the next one and of course the Kalasha Awards slated for November.”
“I want to personally thank everyone who has worked to make this event a possibility, the French government, our sponsors, our numerous speakers and everyone who attended the Kalasha TV and Film Market.” He added.

The over 60 exhibitors expressed their delight in showcasing their trades at the event with most looking forward to the next edition.
Ted from Buni TV, who were one of the exhibitors congratulated the commission and urged to hold more of these events. “This was a very good idea by the Kenya Film Commission, to have a space where film makers can interact and build yourself as a film maker.”

“It was an amazing experience, I congratulate the Kenya Film Commission on hosting this event, film is business and for us actors it is a brilliant opportunity to showcase the importance of actors in film.” A representative from the Kenya Actors guild said.

The Kenya Film Commission Director of Marketing, Alex Mulwa echoed his chairman’s sentiments, “We have had close to 2,000 people here over the last three days, a lot of partners both local and international coming on board to support the film industry.”

“We will keep looking for new ways to keep supporting local film makers and showcasing the country as a film destination.” He added.
The Kalasha International TV & Film Market is an initiative of the Kenya Film Commission, in partnership with the French Embassy. The commission’s key mandate is to develop, promote and market the film industry locally and internationally and identify and facilitate growth of the film industry.

We are now accepting submissions for the 2019 NYC Short Comedy Film Festival! Held on March 24, 2019 at the Producer's Club.

Earlybird Deadline is August 17, 2018.

Please be sure to review ALL submission guidelines before you mail the entry. We have limited time and resources to correct application mistakes. Please try and be as accurate as possible. We will contact you by e-mail if there are any problems, so please be sure to watch for e-mails from info@nycsdff.com.

We vastly prefer online submissions either a FilmFreeWay online video or a private/password protected vimeo/YouTube link. If your film is selected we will provide full technical specifications but an .mov, mp4 or .mpg works great. All films will be played from a hard drive. Please note, if accepted, we MUST receive the exhibition media AT LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS before the festival.

If your submission is selected, you will be notified by e-mail in the beginning of February. Accepted filmmakers will be given one free admission pass to the festival. (We cannot help with any transportation, food or lodging costs.)

Visit the link: https://filmfreeway.com/NYCSDFF 

And be sure to follow us on Twitter @NYCSDFF for more updates and Documentary film festival news! 

The Best Shorts Competition is proud to announce the latest winners. The Best Shorts Competition puts filmmakers first and provides a direct opportunity for recognition and publicity for high quality productions. It is international in scope and has granted awards to producers in Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Columbia, Cuba, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States.

~ Best of Show ~

Tom Cavanagh – Tom and Grant

Tom Cavanagh (Canada), Tom & Grant, Film Short – Two brazen thieves attempt to rob a bank without a plan, a clue or a gun. Golden Globe-nominated actor / director Tom Cavanagh (The Flash, Ed, Scrubs) and MTV Awards nominee Grant Gustin (The Flash, Glee) – arch rivals on the television show ‘The Flash’, team up to play titular small-time crooks. Their brotherhood is the fuel that drives this caper, offering dissections of the movie stakeout archetype, musings on freedom, and a truly unfortunate misinterpretation of the term ‘jazz hands’. Cavanagh marries the current politic of hearing only what we want to hear with the easy camaraderie of the buddy pic. Authentic camaraderie and endearing performances from Cavanagh and Gustin. Outstanding pacing combines the downright silly with deeper more poignant reflections and some laugh out loud moments.

 Luciano Blotta – Ovum

Luciano Blotta (USA), Ovum, Film Short – When a reclusive fisherman finds a giant egg on his desolate beach and decides to take it home, his life takes a big turn, for better or worse. Under Emmy-nominated Blotta’s deft direction, Ovum features exceptional cinematography, outstanding sound design and convincing special effects. Jayson Gladstone (Law and order: SVU , MTV’s “One Bad Choice”) delivers an authentic and compelling performance engaging the viewer in his solitude, anticipation and loss with virtually no dialog.

 ~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~

Kristin Hanggi and Steve Connell (USA), The Universe is Chewing, Film Short – A poem, written and captivatingly performed by acclaimed artist Steve Connell with stunning poignancy and potency. Together, Tony-Nominated Hanggi (Rock of Ages) and Connell deliver tight direction, superb editing, and impactful sound design. With Troian Bellisario (Pretty Little Liars), it’s unique, heart breaking and heart warming.

Kevin Alejandro (USA), Bedtime Story, Film Short – When a literary agent realizes her client’s work is mind numbing boring, she quickly devises a plan to make him a number one best-selling author. Superbly brought to life by Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer) and Patrick Fischler (Mad Men, Twin Peaks) it is both moving and funny.

George Young (USA), Home, Disability Issues – Through siblings Alex and Julia, family and special needs come home: at times, hand in hand; at others, they risk tearing loved ones apart. A pitch-perfect and authentically aching performance by George Young (Containment) supported by the talented Janet Hsieh (Tale of Two Cities). Raw, real and exceptional.

Nick Hatton Jones (UK), Spoon Fed, Film Short – A smart and successful restaurant critic has her life turned upside down when she is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and has to learn how to live with the condition. Excellent filmmaking craft meets exceptional performances from BAFTA-nominees Lesley Sharp (The Full Monty) and Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones).

Lynda Reiss (USA / UK), Ready to Go, Film Short – A short film about a big question – one man’s bittersweet emotional journey, prompted by the loss of his furry best friend and his ruminations on life and death. Deftly directed by Reiss with relatable poignancy, humor and unexpected turns. Anchored with an excellent performance by the earnest Kevin Doyle (Downton Abbey).

David H. Jeffery, Kari Wahlgren, Mark Relyea, Meta Valentic and Ian B. Williams (USA), Girl #2, Film Short – When a deranged killer sets his sights on an unsuspecting sorority, he realizes he’s not the craziest one in the house. Director Jeffery (Bones, Prison Break) delivers classic horror with a comedic twist. Katy Yoder (Drop Dead Diva), Mia Faith (The Mentalist), Michael Bailey Smith (The Hills Have Eyes).

Jeffery T. Schultz (USA), Easy Way Out, Film Short – Outstanding performances anchor this treatise on life, love, commitment and endings. One partner looking for understanding the other a quiet transition. Adeptly directed stars John Savage (The Deer Hunter, The Thin Red Line) and Kate Conner (Criminal Minds, Fort McCoy).

Konstantin Fam (Russia), Violin, Film Short – About the amazing fate of a violin that survives all the horrors of the war – begins in a workshop and ends with a concert at the Wailing Wall decades later.  Emotional and impactful. Michael Gor (Die Another Day), Masha King (The Blacklist) Lenn Kudrjawizki (Thank You Mr. President) and Vyacheslav Chepurchenko.

D-Ccoon / Julien Hassid (Belgium), TRAX, Film Short – One bar. Two drinks. Three people. They all need something new to fight their loneliness. They are on the tracks of a new exciting story. Creative cinematography and true-to-life performances. Stars: Filip Hebrecht (Cordon), Capucine Merlinand Julien Hassid (Retrouvées).

PCI Media Impact, UNICEF and KBS, 27 Empty School Buses, Contemporary Issues – Unforgettable visual action in the heart of New York sees empty school buses with different slogans highlighting the UN report that 27 million children worldwide are denied education due to war. Compelling visuals and impactful sound design drive this poignant piece.

~ Award of Excellence ~

Alastair Clayton (United Kingdom), This Is Axiom, Film Short

Annette Cyr (USA), Blindness, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Brett Bentman (USA), Missing Peace, Latin / Hispanic

Charles Sharman-Cox (United Kingdom), The Tell Tale Heart, Film Short

Chris Canfield (USA), Occupy, Web Tube Length Videos

CJ Sato and Andrew Gonzalez (USA), HERE: The Garrett Scott Story, Documentary Short

David Gesslbauer and Michi Lange (Germany), [ UNUM ], Experimental (Student)

David H. Jeffery, Kari Wahlgren, Mark Relyea, Meta Valentic and Ian B. Williams (USA), Girl #2,Direction (David H. Jeffery), Editing (Kimberly Ettinger and Peter McCann), Script / Writer (Kari Wahlgren) Original Score (Sean Callery, Jeff Lingle and Julia Newmann), Cinematography (Bradford Lipson), Humor / Humorist

David St. Clair (USA), Red Tape, Film Short

Gabrielle Makower (USA), The Chromo-Zone, Women Filmmakers (Student)

George Young (USA), Home, Actor: Leading (George Young as Alex), Actress: Leading (Janet Hsieh as Julia), Asian

Irfan Merchant (USA), Hardmode, Television – Pilot Program

James Parris (USA), Pink & Blue, Animation

Jesse Rapaport (USA), Circumstantial, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Jessica Palud (France), MARLON, Film Short

John Tso  (USA), The Untold Story of Romeo & Juliet, Animation

Josh Funk (USA), 3 Keys, Film Short

Joy Guerrieri Borgardt (USA), Fixed Up, Women Filmmakers

Kailyne R. Waters (USA), The Go Cart, Children / Family Programming

Kevin J. O’Neill (USA), PERCEPTION, Film Short

Konstantin Fam (Russia), Violin, Jewish

Kurt Gerber  (USA), SPELL, Music Video

Langston A. Williams (USA), Stay Woke, Film Short

Lo-Tien Li (China), Monster City, Film Short

Lynda Reiss (USA), Ready to Go, Women Filmmakers, Actor: Leading (Kevin Doyle as Lance Mitchell)

Mars Hill Productions (USA), Help Reach Them, Christian

Matt Mays (USA), Mabingwa, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Michael Maschina (Austria), Jonah, Islamic

Michael Matheson Miller (USA), Mrs. Schneider, Film Short, Jewish

Mohamad AlYamani (USA), Hero Complex, Film Short (Student)

Nick Hatton Jones (United Kingdom), Spoon Fed, Actress: Leading (Lesley Sharp as Ellie)

Niels Bourgonje (Netherlands), Bridge, Film Short

Olga Ryashina (Russia), Allergic to the truth, Film Short

Patricia Santana (USA), Streetlights, Film Short

Paula Neves (USA), Before Petrichor, Disability Issues

Rebecca Shapiro (USA), For Muriel, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Ricardo Andrade (USA), Ancient Earth: The Permian, Documentary Short

Robert Henno (Belgium), The realm of the little owl, Nature / Environment / Wildlife and Once upon a time – The Savannah, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Roy Hurst (USA), Survivor 9, Film Short

Russ Nichols (Walkabout Productions) (USA), The Incredible Oyster Reef, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Ryan Marcus (USA), Ride Your F#%king Bike, Documentary Short

Sean Thiessen (USA), Posers, Film Short (Student)

Stephan Cornelio Velema (Netherlands), UNFADED, Experimental

Su Chun-Hsu (Taiwan), I Love Happiness, Animation, Children / Family Programming

Tesia Walker, EJ Argenio, Bobby Kruger and Ryan Davenport (USA), IN THE FIELD, Film Short

Tim Collins and Ashley Arechiga (USA), Greymen and Red’s: To Catch a Chicken, Animation

Tom Cavanagh (Canada), TOM and GRANT, Actor: Leading (Tom Cavanagh as Tom), Actor: Leading (Grant Gustin as Grant), Direction, Humor / Humorist, Viewer Impact: Entertainment Value

~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~

A.P. Gonzalez (USA), The Wetback, Film Short

Abby Rose Kompare (Canada), Hidden Feature, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Bill Wisneski (USA), LIT Program Commercial, Commercial / Infomercial

David H. Jeffery, Kari Wahlgren, Mark Relyea, Meta Valentic and Ian B. Williams (USA), Girl #2, Actor: Supporting (Michael Bailey Smith as the Killer), Actress: Leading (Katy Yoder as Jenn), Actress: Supporting (Mia Faith as Stacey)

David Mandell (USA), Tea Time With Mr. Patterson, Film Short

Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), The Story of Money, Educational / Instructional / Training

Elzer Ramos and Diego Cisternas (USA), Cognitive Variance, Film Short

Ingrid Nachstern and Luca Truffarelli, Night Star Dance Company (Ireland), Shoe Horn/Office, Experimental

Jessica O’Hara-Baker (USA), The Green Lotto, Actress: Leading (Mouna R’miki as Kareema), Film Short

Jessy Langlois (France), Unexpected, Film Short

Kevin Forde (United Kingdom), The Awakening, Film Short

Luis Blanco Nazoa, G2C2 Media / Sinamaica (USA), The Other Dreamers, Documentary Short

Markus Redmond (USA), Allen +  Millie: A Short Romance, Actor: Leading (Courtney Gains as Allen Mitchell)

Mengke Li (USA), ego, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Michael Matheson Miller (USA), Mrs. Schneider, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Michael Schmidt-Olsen (Denmark), POKO, Educational / Instructional / Training

Nathan Gabaeff (USA), The Cat Burglar, Animation

Nick Butler (Canada), Every Escape Imaginable, Film Short

Red Jasper Creative, Steffi Hill, Stacey Wilson and Olivia Janisch (USA), Cat’s Outta the Bag, Women Filmmakers

Ricardo Andrade (USA), Forbidden Love, Animation

Ryan Scott (USA), Fishtown Soldier, Documentary Short

Shailendra Singh (India), Raw Days, Film Short

Ting Wen Lo (Taiwan), Kenting – Taiwan’s Windswept Peninsula, Tourism / Travel

Tom Cavanagh (Canada), TOM and GRANT, Creativity / Originality

Wendy Roderweiss (USA), Stage Four, Women Filmmakers

William Charles (United Kingdom), After Midnight in the Asphalt Jungle, Animation

~ Award of Merit ~

AJ Tedesco (USA), Stay, Music Video

Alex Cvetkov (USA), Equilibrium, Music Video (Student)

Alex Deitsch (United Kingdom), Into Black, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Alex J. Murphy (USA), Fruit Bat II, Webisode

Anandmurthy  (India), SINAM ( Anger ), Actress: Leading (Sai Dhanshika as Shakthi), Asian, Film Short, Liberation / Social Justice

André Keiser (France), The Hope’s Stars, Actress: Leading (Sandra Maeder as Jeune fille), Experimental

Annu Kapil (India), Sakhi, Women Filmmakers

Baxter Chelsom (USA), Columbus Day, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

bellopropello (Switzerland), dystopia, Animation

Ben Timony (Australia), Jonathan – A Film by All The Colours, Documentary Short

Benjamin Freemantle (Canada/USA), Wishes and Dreams, Liberation / Social Justice (Student)

Bishal Dutta (USA), Life in Color, LGBT

Brandon Baer (USA), It’s You, Not Me, Film Short

Cameron Barrett (USA), RT130 Engine Boss Preparation, Training / Industrial Productions and Get Low and Go, Educational / Instructional / Training, Children / Family Programming

Carlos Moreno Jr. (USA), Sweet Blight, Film Short

Carole Eglash-Kosoff (USA), An Artist’s Journey, Documentary Short

Chris Cyronek (USA), The Artist, Documentary Short

Coreetta Buchan (USA), Trials of Volkore Part 3, Experimental

Dan Simion (USA), A Friend, Film Short

Danielle Cohen (USA), The Tipping Point, Documentary Short

Davar McGee (USA), Suspect?, African American

Davi Silveira (USA), radio-head, Film Short

Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), Surviving in the Mysterious Island (Argumentative Ability (3)), Educational / Instructional / Training and Crisis of Attack by Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Educational / Instructional / Training and DNA and Heredity, Educational / Instructional / Training and Cherishing Trees, Educational / Instructional / Training

Ertug Tüfekçioglu (Turkey), The Midpoint of A Very Long Story, Film Short

Fairn Whatley and Suzanne Damrich (USA), The Mystical Migration of the Monarch, Documentary Short

Francesca N. Penzani (USA), Double Up, Film Short

Gunjan Menon (India), The Firefox Guardian, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)

Herschey Liss (USA), Every Ocean, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Ian Lyndon (USA), Not Me, Film Short

Irmak Tasindi (USA), Heartless, Women Filmmakers (Student)

James Pravasilis (USA), The Prime, Film Short

Jason Park (USA), Cross, Film Short

John Anthony Flavin (USA), THURSDAY, Film Short

Justice Arts Collective (USA), From Mt. Tamalpais to Fruitvale Station, Music Video

Justin Lawrence Hoyt (USA), Dream City – Intentions, Music Video and Turquoise Boy – Christmas Lights, Music Video

Kailin Gow (USA), A New Year’s Story, Children / Family Programming

Kathrina Miccio (USA), St. Joseph, Film Short

Kaye Tuckerman (USA), Famous Land, LGBT

Kent Youngblood (USA), Lullaby Road, Experimental

Kevin Wu (USA), QuivR, Television – Pilot Program

Laurence Akers (United Kingdom), Gone, Film Short

Leon Robinson (USA), Make America Black Again, Film Short

Leonardo Leonie (USA), A Madness In Me, Film Short (Student)

Lina Engborg (Sweden), HENNINGSSON!, Women Filmmakers

Luke Bradford, Frogspawn Film (United Kingdom), Giovanna –  Surrender with Strength, Music Video

Maahir Khan (USA), Almost, Film Short

Mara Cracaleanu (Romania), Mirrorcide, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Marisa Echeverria (USA), Los AnJealous, Web Series

Mark Pedelty (USA), Watershed, Music Video

Mark Stolzenberg (USA), Actors Anonymous, Actress: Leading (Karen Chrystal as Karen), Actress: Supporting (Judy Copeland as Geraldine)

Markus Redmond (USA), Allen +  Millie: A Short Romance, Actress: Leading (Brooke Lewis as Millie Lane), Film Short

Mary Gerretsen (USA), 7/8ths of the Way There, Film Short (Student)

Matt Holwick (USA), Butterfly Baby, Documentary Short

Mauro Piacentini and Andrea Borgia (Italy), Single Seat, Documentary Short

Maximiliane Nirschl, Claudia Diwold, Claudia Wahlmüller, Kerstin Glachs, Bianca Weber (Austria), La Famille – one afternoon for the whole life, Documentary Short (Student)

Melanie Waldron (USA), For Better, Actress: Leading (Heidi Duncan), LGBT, Women Filmmakers

Mele Mason (USA), HOME? A Study of Foster Care, Documentary Short and We Are Dreamers, Women Filmmakers

Michael “MicL Snr’ Norman (USA), Project X, African American, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Morgan Aiken, Sarah Hassan and Simmie Sangian (USA), The Company You Keep, Actress: Leading (Sarah Hassan as Sandra Samson), Film Short

Morning MengYing Wu (USA), SHAdow, Animation (Student)

Mrigank Dubey (India), You and Me, Film Short

Nathan Hauch (Canada), the art of the morning, Disability Issues (Student)

Oisin Byrne (United Kingdom), Disconnect, Islamic (Student)

Olivia Treynor (USA), Tell Me Something, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Paula Neves (USA), Before Petrichor, Women Filmmakers

Peta Milan (Portugal), Right to Be Forgotten, Film Short, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Women Filmmakers

Peter Jacobs (USA), Coffee Notes, Film Short

Rebecca Holopter and Michael Osborne (USA), Silverlake Afternoon, LGBT

Rebecca Shoptaw (USA), Untitled Tenderness Project, LGBT (Student)

Reiko Aylesworth (USA), Veronica, LGBT

Robyn Fox (United Kingdom), Late, Film Short

Russell Wiltshire (Australia), Interstellar Timelapse, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Ryan Polly (USA), The Tide is High, Actress: Leading (Haley Alea Erickson as Jenna), Film Short

Simon King (USA), Mystery in the Keys, Film Short

Simone Cassas and Zach LeBeau (USA), Tokenize Everything, Commercial / Infomercial

Stephanie Camacho Casillas (Puerto Rico), SAM, LGBT

Tanya Fairfoot and Jenifer Yeuroukis (USA), Woman, Women Filmmakers

Theodore Tzartos (Greece), Honda Road Trips Italy 2017, Documentary Short

Vasco Diogo (Portugal), anexperimentalviralvlog – the movie remix # !, Experimental

Wijnand Geraerts (Netherlands), ADORE THE WORLD, Experimental

William VanDerKloot (USA), What We Love About London: A Kid’s Tour, Children / Family Programming

Yael Rosen (Israel), Junction, Film Short (Student)

~ Award of Recognition ~

Adam Dietrich and Elliott Gilbert, II (USA), Knowing, Film Short
 

AJ Tedseco (USA), Color of the Chameleon, Animation
 

Alexey Molotkov (Switzerland), Signs, Christian
 

Anandmurthy (India), SINAM ( Anger ), Experimental
 

Arthur James Solomon (USA), Shady Bishes – The Series, Web Series
 

Ash Varma (Canada), A Disappearance, Actor: Leading (Steve Kasan as Rav Chopra), Film Short
 

Ashleigh Nichols (USA), The Porch, Film Short
 

Ayaka Furukawa (USA), Freedom, LGBT (Student)
 

Bader Alshuaib (USA), Barriers, Film Short (Student)
 

Baruq Gibran Seth (Mexico), Job, Music Video
 

Baxter Chelsom (USA), Lost, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

BC Bogey (Germany), VOICE IN THE ATTIC – Biz, Music Video
 

Brett G. Kim (USA), The Story of Life, Documentary Short (Student), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Buchi Ogbonnaya (USA), 4:13, Film Short
 

Buffy Milner, Simmie Sangian and Morgan Aiken (USA), Type, Actress: Leading (Buffy Milner as Jamie), Women Filmmakers (Student)
 

Cameron Barrett (USA), Every 15 Minutes – Calistoga 2017, Use of Film / Video for Social Change, Women Filmmakers
 

Catherine Mosier-Mills (USA), The Secret Life of Art, Women Filmmakers (Student)
 

Christopher Theokas (USA), The EXpert, Web Series, Actress: Leading (Jennifer Bareilles as Lauren), Original Score (The EXpert composed by Ebony Tay), Webisode
 

Cody Marks, Jef Scot and James Standridge, Salmon River Films (USA), Dear Life,, Documentary Short
 

Coreetta Buchan (USA), Trials of Volkore Part 3, Actor: Leading (Charlie Powell as Military Veteran “Isaiah”)
 

D.J. Rivera (USA), Vessel, Film Short
 

Dan Butovskiy (USA), Five Percent of Life, Film Short (Student)
 

Dick Jordan (USA), Cuba, Libre?, Documentary Short
 

Dominique Nieves (USA), A Nice Guy, Women Filmmakers

Don Arbor (USA), Everyone Comes from Somewhere, Music Video
 

Donna Greenberg, Edmund Fairfax and David Rawlings (Canada), Living on the Outside, Music Video
 

Donny O’Malley (USA), Recruiting Office, Film Short
 

Elijah Watson (USA), Growing Pains, Film Short
 

Ella McKeon (USA), The Mom Plan, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Emily Capehart (USA), The Stranger in the Crowd, Women Filmmakers
 

Fareed Kairon, EICAR: The International Film and Television School of Paris (France), Spectrum, Film Short
 

G. Robert Daily, Brain Brady and Daniyar Seisenov, Filmental (USA), Caregiver Wanted, Film Short, Actor: Leading (G. Robert Daily as Carl Hicks), Actor: Supporting (Stephen Olson as George Larson)
 

Hyun Jun Kim and Ha Young Kim (Korea), Not, Basic?, Web Series
 

Jack Nordstrom (USA), OLD BLOO, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Jakob Kennedy (Australia), Proud of a Brumby, Documentary Short
 

Jax Malcolm, KAP Productions (USA), Conservation Invasion, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Jay Paris (USA), Lenox Street, Documentary Short
 

Jennifer Manner (USA), Zebrafish; Practically People, Transforming the Study of Disease, Documentary Short
 

Jeremy Welch (USA), The Wheat Walker, Film Short
 

Jessica L. Catalano (USA), Fantasy Prone, Women Filmmakers
 

Jiashan Sami Mo (USA), Mailbox, Asian (Student)
 

Jing Shen (China), Xiaodong’s Bike, Asian
 

Joan Hathaway (USA), Barry: The Making of an American Icon, Film Short (Student)
 

Kalle Pascal and Kingsley Pascal (USA), Hunky-Dory Soda Pop!, Film Short, Original Song (Her Name is Lauren composed by Greg Smith, produced by Philip Labes)
 

Kerry  Clemens (USA), After Maria, Documentary Short
 

Kristin Zimney (USA), Diego, Documentary Short  (Student)
 

Lauren Pruitt (USA), DAVE, Film Short
 

Ludi Askins (USA), Aberdeen Covenant, Actor: Supporting (Guillermo Merlo as Carlos Martinez), Film Short, Women Filmmakers
 

Maneesh Sasikumar (USA), Rise of the Green Ranger, Special Purpose Productions

Manish Ghosh (India), MUKTI  the wrong way, Film Short
 

Marissa Chibas  (USA), Zohra, Women Filmmakers, Actress: Leading (Marissa Chibas as Zohra)
 

Mark Stolzenberg (USA), Actors Anonymous, Film Short
 

Marta D’Ocon (USA), TUNED IN, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Mary C. Ferrara (USA), Schmoopie, Children / Family Programming
 

Melinda Raebyne and Tony Doupe (USA), Asylum, Actress: Leading (Melinda Raebyne as Jackie Curtis), Women Filmmakers
 

Melissa Talbot (USA), Bad Day, Film Short
 

Mike Saraswat (United Kingdom), Why is the Spotlight on Me?, Liberation / Social Justice
 

Miriam Fox (United Kingdom), Make Up Your Mind, Animation (Student)
 

Paul Loh (USA), Masokissed, Asian (Student)
 

Phillip K. Burrows Jr. (USA), Prego, Actor: Supporting (Student) (Kevin Dary as Michael), Film Short (Student), LGBT (Student), Actress: Leading (Student) (Tiffany Clare as April)
 

Ramesh Vijayan (USA), I Miss You, Music Video
 

Rex Depalma (USA), God Don’t Love Ugly, Film Short
 

Ronald Benitez (Puerto Rico), To My Dear Three Kings, Latin / Hispanic
 

Sami Kelly, Chelsea Eichholz, Austin Thompson Lauren E. Johnson and Mariah Zenk, Missouri State University (USA), Show-Me Chefs, Season 3, Ep. 5, Television – Program / Series
 

Stephen Plekan (USA), Need a Hand?, Web Tube Length Video, Concept, Creativity / Originality, Humor / Humorist
 

Tadeusz Ciesielski (USA), Enchanted Landscapes of Mieshiel, Documentary Short
 

Tarik Jackson (USA), Junior, African American
 

Tommy Ross (USA), The Musician, Religion / Ethics
 

Tracee Beebe (USA), Dog Years, Women Filmmakers
 

Wang Chengching (Taiwan), Grand Pa, Asian, Actor: Leading (Chang Pin Chun as Wang Jin Chun)
 

Wenhao Gao (USA), The Swamp, Actor: Leading (Student) (Kevin Dary as Vincent), Film Short (Student)
 

Will Nordstrom (USA), IN THE TREES, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
 

Xiaoyin Zhang (USA), Touching the Sound, Women Filmmakers
 

ZiJun Xiao (USA), SALTY DISH, Film Short (Student)
 

Zuri Alexander (USA), Quiet Denial, African American

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