‘Room,’ ‘Where to Invade Next,’ and ‘All-American Family’ Win HIFF 2015 Audience Awards

The 23rd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival is pleased to announce the winners of the 2015 Audience Awards. Congratulations to all our award winners!

The winner of the HIFF 2015 Audience Award for Narrative Feature is A24’s ROOM, directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay. The Audience Award for Documentary Feature is Michael Moore‘s WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, being distributed by the new as-yet-to-be-named distribution label created by Tom Quinn, Jason Janego and Tim League. Directed by Andrew JenksALL-AMERICAN FAMILY won the Audience Award for Short Film.

Selections were made from the over 134 films from around the world screened by the Festival October 8-12.

“We are so pleased with the dedication of our filmgoers to consistently vote for their favorite films each year. Our Audience Award winners are indicators of the level of films we are able to bring to the Festival each year,” stated HIFF Artistic Director David Nugent.


Room-650

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: Room

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson
Adapted from the bestselling novel by author and screenwriter Emma Donoghue, ROOM follows Jack (Jacob Tremblay) and his Ma (Brie Larson), who live in a small, locked room. Having never left Room, Jack believes that only the things in the room are real and that everything he sees on TV is make-believe. Right after his fifth birthday, Ma reveals the secret that has kept them confined to the room all these years. A harrowing journey of discovery ensues, and Jack has to come to terms with the fact that there’s more to the world outside Room. A profoundly emotional exploration of the bond between mother and son with gripping performances, including Academy Award® nominees Joan Allen and William H. Macy, ROOM demonstrates the unstoppable force with which these bonds prevail even in the darkest circumstances.

Watch the trailer


Where-to-Invade-Next-650

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature: Where to Invade Next

Directed by Michael Moore
In an unexpected twist, Michael Moore’s (BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE, FAHRENHEIT 9/11, ROGER & ME) latest project, WHERE TO INVADE NEXT, does not refer to American imperialism, but rather to Moore himself. Armed with a camera and a flag, the Oscar®-winning documentarian “invades” a slew of European countries in an attempt to learn more about their successful practices and programs. From Norwegian prisons to female-run Icelandic banks, to Italian employee benefits, Moore travels around the world with the intention of bringing these progressive philosophies back to the States. A surprising departure, WHERE TO INVADE NEXT is a refreshingly optimistic look at the possibilities for the future.

Watch the trailer


All-American-Family-650

Audience Award for Best Short Film: All-American Family

Director: Andrew Jenks
The all-deaf football team in Pleasanton, California, is the heart of this tight-knit community.

Andrew Jenks is an award-winning filmmaker, TV producer, and writer that has lived and filmed around the world. Although only 29 years old, Jenks’ projects have premiered on HBO, ESPN, MTV, and Netflix.


Thanks to our audience for making HIFF 2015 such a terrific Festival!