HIFF has proudly bestowed close to five million dollars in its 30-year history. This year, we are honored to be rewarding emerging filmmakers with $32,000 in cash, as well as another $100,000 in in-kind goods and services, through the following awards.
This year HIFF screened 69 feature films and 51 short films from 37 countries, with nine World premieres, one international premiere, three North American premieres, and twelve U.S. premieres. We are very proud to report that 53% of this year’s films were directed by women, and 38% were directed by filmmakers of color.
AUDIENCE AWARDS
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
RETURN TO SEOUL
Directed by Davy Chou
Narrative Competition Section
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
Directed by Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo
Documentary Competition Section
BEST SHORT FILM
THE SENTENCE OF MICHAEL THOMPSON
Directed by Kyle Thrash, Haley Elizabeth Anderson
Documentary Short Film Competition
COMPETITION AWARDS
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
CLOSE
Directed by Lukas Dhont
The Narrative Feature Competition honors emerging directors who represent cinema’s next generation of innovative film artists. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the winning Narrative Feature film receives a $3,000 cash prize as well as a film production package of in-kind goods and services with a total value of $82,500, sponsored by Panavision, Silvercup Studios/Silvertrucks, Hamptons Locations, and On Location Education.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
PRAY FOR OUR SINNERS
Directed by Sinéad O’Shea
Featuring an array of powerful subjects, the Documentary Feature Competition honors new and distinctive voices in documentary filmmaking. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the winning Documentary Feature film receives a $3,000 cash prize as well as a film production package of in-kind goods and services with a total value of $20,000, sponsored by 91 East Productions and GreenSlate.
Best Narrative Short
SNOW IN SEPTEMBER
Directed by Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
Featuring exceptional technique and storytelling, the Narrative Short Competition honors the fresh perspectives of up-and-coming filmmakers. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the Narrative Short Competition winner will take home a cash prize of $500 and qualify for Academy Award consideration.
Best Documentary Short
WHEN THE LAPD BLOWS UP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Directed by Nathan Truesdell
The Documentary Short Competition celebrates new and emerging voices in the documentary film world. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the Documentary Short Competition winner will take home a cash prize of $500 and qualify for Academy Award consideration.
Special Mention
THE SENTENCE OF MICHAEL THOMPSON
Directed by Kyle Thrash, Haley Elizabeth Anderson
>> Meet the Competition Jury
ADDITIONAL AWARDS
The Peter Macgregor Scott Memorial Award:
$10,000
GLORIOUS REVOLUTION
Directed by Masha Novikova
This award aims to continue the celebrated producer’s mentorship for a new generation of passionate filmmakers. Sponsored by Susan Macgregor-Scott, this award is specifically designed to recognize narrative short filmmakers and reward creative approaches to solving practical production challenges in the service of storytelling.
Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for
Films of Conflict & Resolution: $5,000
FREEDOM ON FIRE:
UKRAINE’S FIGHT FOR FREEDOM
Directed by Evgeny Afineevsky
For over two decades, the Films of Conflict and Resolution section has showcased films that focus on the realities of war and conflict around the world and inspire possibilities for resolution.
Suffolk County Next Exposure Grant: $3,000
THE PASS
Directed by Pepi Ginsburg
Awarded to a film that has completed 50% of principal photography within Suffolk County, New York. Presented by the Suffolk County Film Commission.
The Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award: $2,500
EO
Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski
Given to a film in the Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights section that provokes discussion about contemporary issues of social concern, with a focus on the rights, as well as moral and ethical treatment of animals. The award is presented to a film that inspires compassion, motivates action, and compels change, and is given by Zelda Penzel—a long time educator, advocate, and a volunteer at HIFF since its inception.
New York Women in Film & Television Awards
These two awards honor outstanding female narrative and documentary filmmakers who have demonstrated exceptional artistic vision and dedication to their craft.
NYWIFT Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking: $1,000
OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL
Directed by Ellie Foumbi
NYWIFT Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking: $1,000
THE CAVE OF ADULLAM
Directed by Laura Checkoway
Victor Rabinowitz & Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice: $2,000
THE FOREST MAKER
Dir. Volker Schlöndorff
The annual award is handed to a film that exemplifies the values of peace, equality, global justice and civil liberties, and is named in honor of iconic civil rights lawyer Victor Rabinowitz and his wife Joanne Grant, an author, filmmaker and journalist, two people who spent their entire lives fighting for those values.
University Film Awards: $500 each
Awarded to five student filmmakers selected from hundreds of submissions, the University Short Film Showcase highlights the extraordinary talent and achievements of exceptional students.
BERRY PICKERS, directed by Agnes Skonare Karlsson
GLORIOUS REVOLUTION, directed by Masha Novikova
MOTHERLAND, directed by Christina Yoon
TEXTURES, directed by Lindsay Opoku-Acheampong
WET, directed by Marianne Bergeonneu, Lauriane Montpert, Mélina Mandon, Cloé Peyrebrune, and Elvira Taussac
