News & Updates

Announcing our 2024 Winners

October 3, 2024

Jury Winners

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM: Have You Eaten?

Directed by Pavida Changkaew

JURY STATEMENT: “What we liked was the narrative, and the nostalgia of the story. It was heartfelt and everything was strong all-round including animation, story, and how relatable it was.”

HONORABLE MENTIONS: The Boy from Lookout Mountain (For the storytelling method, pacing, and narrative) AND COVID Dystopia (For how this is more different and very vivid; Relatable, great technique, and good pacing) AND Playing Around (For the art style and story; It felt very nostalgic and juror appreciated the character development and sadness of losing something precious in order to learn a hard lesson about growing up).

Directed by Christopher Flippo | Thomas Thorspecken | Mia Albanese

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM: Wouldn’t Make It Any Other Way

Directed by Hao Zhou

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Earth to KB 

Directed by Em Shapiro

JURY STATEMENT: “We all appreciated the unique style of the film, specifically in the poetic scenes. Among several portrait films this one stood out.”

Saving Superman

Directed by Adam Oppenheim and Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian

JURY STATEMENT: “Not only did this one strike a strong emotional chord for each of us, it was technically the most polished while still being story driven.”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: Sisters of Wrestling

Directed by Sarah Baril Gaudet

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Porcelain War (For Exceptional Merit) AND LARRY (they/them) (For Emotional Honesty)

Directed by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev | Catherine Legault

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT FILM: Tea

Directed by Blake Winston Rice

HONORABLE MENTION: Jedo’s Dead

Directed by Sara Nimeh

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• Best Director: Something Blue – Directed by Jinsui Song
• Best Cinematography: The Thaw – Directed by Sarah Wisner and Sean Temple
• Best Writing: Blue Hour – Directed by J.D Shields

NARRATIVE FEATURE

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE: Lavender Men

Directed by Lovell Holder

HONORABLE MENTION: Paper Marriage

Directed by Jeff Man

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• Best Ensemble Acting: The Strangers’ Case – Directed by Brandt Andersen
• Best Overall Production and Humanitarian Efforts: The Strangers’ Case – Directed by Brandt Andersen

SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM

BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM: Jonna & Louis

Directed by Linda Verweyen

HONORABLE MENTION: I am More Dangerous Dead

Directed by Majiye Uchibeke

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

• Best Actor: Charles Batson – Forbidden Fruit Lead – Directed by Isaiah Forte-Rose
• Best Editing: I am More Dangerous Dead – Directed by Majiye Uchibeke

STUDENT SHORT FILM

BEST STUDENT SHORT FILM: Caroline

Directed by Jack Highberger

HONORABLE MENTIONS: Clocked Out AND Cottage Grove

Directed by Marco Greco | George Ellzey Jr.

SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

• Best Production Design: The Stardust Motel – Directed by Ori Ben-Shahar

 

 

Audience Winners

ANIMATED SHORT FILM

The Nectar Instead

Directed by Yoo Lee

DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM

I Am Not Your Black Girl

Directed by Ricki Nelson and Jacqueline Mangrum

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Chasing Chasing Amy

Directed by Sav Rodgers

NARRATIVE SHORT FILM

LOSER

Directed by Colleen McGuinness

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Your Monster

Directed by Caroline Lindy

SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM

Forbidden Fruit

Directed by Isaiah Forte-Rose

STUDENT SHORT FILM

Caroline

Directed by Jack Highberger