Best Shorts Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick Prickett, Competition Director

858-779-9544

Website: www.BestShorts.net

Email: info@BestShorts.net

La Jolla, CA, December, 2022 - 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

Bret Parker – Pete

Bret Parker (USA), Pete, Animation –  talented animator / director Parker delivers the touching film “Pete” –  an animated short based on a true story about gender identity, baseball, the people who inspire change by trying to be themselves, and the superheroes who support them. All 8-year-old Pete wants to do is play in Little League. The problem is, Pete was born “Kathy”. It’s a universal story of gender identity and gender equality and a little cisgender female who identified as a boy. Original story creator and executive produced by Pete Barma. Marrying current technology with the appeal of ink and watercolor illustrations – the talented “Pete” creative team brings forth sweetly real characters with nuanced movements and stirring emotions, a poignant script, perfect pacing and a beautifully hopeful soundtrack. Parker, a 26-year veteran of Pixar and co-founder of Artfarm Productions has animated many iconic films, including the Oscar-winning “Finding Nemo” and “The Incredibles”. Music by Daytime Emmy-nominee Jake Monaco. Production design by Tia Wallace Kratter, cinematography by Mahyar Abousaeedi and Danielle Feinberg. Producers: Rebecca Banks, Pete Barma, Jake Kaplan.

Outstanding Achivement

James Stewart – Chateau Laurier – Season 2

James Stewart (Canada), Chateau Laurier -Season 2, Web Series – a deliciously binge-worthy web series set in Ottawa’s historic grand hotel Chateau Laurier full of romance, murder, opportunities, betrayal and revenge. Chateau Laurier offers a wry slice-of-life in the 1900’s as characters struggle to control the hotel from the wicked Cajun-creole boss. Uniquely Canadian, Chateau Laurier is told with a flair for the dramatic, with diverse, distinct, entertaining characters and a dose of humor. Stars: Kate Ross Leckie (Alias Grace), Luke Humphrey (The Manhattan Project),Fiona Reid (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), Kent Staines (M.V.P.), Fraser Elsdon (The Last Man), Brittany Raymond (Dare Me), Tymika Tafari (The Marijuana Conspiracy), Emmanuel Kabongo (Star Trek: Discovery).

Jody Xiong – The Bloom

Jody Xiong (China), The Bloom, Disability Issues – Visionary creative director Xiong (Director at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony) brings a dramatically poignant film combining cutting edge technology with a spirit lifting experience and the joy of art. Bringing together a diverse group of differently abled people – it shows that people with disabilities are not defined by their health conditions or impairments. Combining the technology of brain wave control – it allowed the participants to detonate paint filled balloons using only their minds and ultimately create an 8-meter piece of original art (for the Beijing Paralympics.) Xiong and a talented team captured every moment and created a pitch-perfect film, technically exceptional, with gorgeous cinematography (Arden Tse), tight editing and carried by a moving soundtrack. Touching and impactful in every way.

Award of Excellence Special Mention

Allen Robertson and Damon Brown (USA), How To Musical Theatre, Children / Family Programming

Andy Wolk (USA), Rough Magic: Exit Shakespeare, Film Short

David Du (USA), Life of a Mayfly, Animation (Student)

Elliot V Kotek (USA), More Than, Public Service Programming / PSA

Luca Massimiliano Pizzoleo (USA), In the Valley of the Moon, Film Short

Mariam Avetisyan (Armenia), The Desire To Live, Web Series

Max Karpylev (USA), The Muse, Experimental

Shira-Lee Shalit (USA), The Oh Gees, Ensemble Cast

Simone Vrech (Italy), The Longobard Warrior, Documentary Short

World Surf League (USA), Transformed Web Series, Web Series

Award of Excellence

Adriana Davis and Carole Basri (USA), Saving the Iraqi Jewish Archives: A Journey of Identity, Jewish, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Afzal Khan (Nepal), Survival- living through covid, Experimental

Ali Keyvan (Iran), THE WINNER, Children / Family Programming

Andy Wolk (USA), Rough Magic: Exit Shakespeare, Actor: Leading (Tony Amendola as William Shakespeare)

Aurelie Wijnants (Belgium), Just Married, Women Filmmakers

Blake Vaz (USA), L.U.N.A., Editing

Bryan Michael Block (USA), EnVeive, Concept

Caitlin Scherer (USA), Wicked Image, Ensemble Cast, Script / Writer

Christine E. Whitten (USA), Ukraine, Ukraine (Half The World Away), Music Video

Dean Shortland (USA), Compassionate Caren in the Big, Bad World, Webisode

Doha Debates (USA), Music for Good, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Use of Film / Video for Social Change

Edward C. Bartel II (USA), Unbelievable! The Art Williams Story, Documentary Short, African American

Haowei Sun (China), Comimg home, Film Short (Student)

James Stewart (Canada), Chateau Laurier, Season 2, Actor: Supporting (Emmanuel Kabongo as Gabriel Sabot), Actress: Supporting (Fiona Reid as Esme Bracebridge), Actress: Leading (Tymika Tafari as Briar Heytes), Actor: Supporting (Kent Staines as Mr. Waverly)

Jichen Li (China), FLAVORED, Film Short (Student), Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Joe Chilcott (USA), Argyle Christmas, Web Tube Length Video

Jonathon Kimble (USA), Metamorphosis, Direction, Film Short

Josh Deal (USA), Adjustment of Status, Actress: Leading (Carla Brandberg as Officer Johnson), Actor: Supporting (Carson Alexander as Jeffrey Webb)

Karoly Palfai (Hungary), BOUND LEGS, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Melinda Pitz as Mother)

Katie Goodman (USA), The Karens, Direction, Film Short, Script / Writer

Kevin Holik (USA), Televoir, Original Score (Composed by Kevin Holik)

Luca Massimiliano Pizzoleo (USA), In the Valley of the Moon, Actor: Leading (Raz Fritz as Thomas), Editing (Luca Pizzoleo), Ensemble Cast (Raz Fritz, Ryan Emilio Molina, Landon Moss, Marco Giuliano and Ashley Murr, Script / Writer (Luca Pizzoleo), Direction, Movie Trailer

Luoxi Liu (USA), Back to Apirol, Asian (Student)

Margarita Faneitte (Spain), VIRIUM, LGBTQ+

Mariam Avetisyan (Armenia), The Desire To Live, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Max Karpylev (USA), The Muse, Direction, Editing, Script / Writer

Patricia Bury Salier (USA), Artist Unknown, Documentary Short, Jewish

Patrick O'Shea (Ireland), Standards, Film Short

Paul Cartwright (USA), Carrie's Conversation, Actor: Supporting (Paul Cartwright as Father), Direction

Phil Gioja (USA), Driven to Help, Disability Issues

Rich Underwood (USA), The Sharp Experience - COVID, Television - Program Series

Robert Patriarca (USA), Life's Better Protected, Animation

Robin Shepherd and Mattie Scariot (USA), Sue's Story, Documentary Short

Sean Kostur (USA), Simon Sterling, Web / Internet Programming

Sean-Wen Yang (Taiwan), The Islands Of  The Swaying Grain, Kinmen, Film Short

Shian Denovan (United Kingdom), Knock Knock, Women Filmmakers, Sound: Overall Impact

Shira-Lee Shalit (USA), The Oh Gees, Direction

Simone Vrech (Italy), The Longobard Warrior, History / Biographical

Tanja Blume (Poland), NADIA, Film Short

Tien Yuan (Taiwan), May The Pawn Reaches The End, Film Short (Student)

Tyson R Hunsaker (USA), Queen to H4, Editing

Veronica Nichols (USA), Perspectives, Actress: Leading (Jasmine Brown as Valentina), African American, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Xinyu Guo (China), Original wish, Film Short (Student)

Award of Merit Special Mention

Alicia Hayes (USA), PRIPYAT, Script / Writer

Blake Vaz (USA), L.U.N.A., Latin / Hispanic

Brett A. Hart (USA), Christmas Next Year, Music Video

Carmen Chan (USA), Torn, Asian, Film Short

Chris Arnold (USA), A Day At The Beach, Film Short (Student)

Daria Vorobeva (Russia), Prima, Film Short (Student), Actress: Leading (Student) (Natalia Baller as Marina)

David Joseph Higgins (USA), Loved, Actor: Leading (Joseph Sernio as Harold)

David Trotter (USA), Peeled: Cooking up Compassion, Television – Pilot Program

Gimante Nichols (USA), Toxicity, Script / Writer

James Stewart (Canada), Chateau Laurier, Season 2, Actor: Leading (Luke Humphrey as Vivian), Actress: Leading Kate Ross Leckie as Hattie)

Katie Goodman (USA), The Karens, Actress: Leading (Danielle Cohn as Not-Karen Karen)

Katie Moorehead (USA), Break, Film Short

Leigh Reddick (USA), 3:14, Women Filmmakers (Student), Direction (Student)

Lesley Coleman (Australia), Home Truths, Ensemble Cast, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Luca Massimiliano Pizzoleo (USA), In the Valley of the Moon, Actor: Supporting (Ryan Emilio Molina as Mark)

Mahtab Pishghadam (Iran), Suite Night, Asian

Margarita Faneitte (Spain), VIRIUM, Direction

Patrick Guthrie (USA), RugbyTown, Reality Programming

Ron Davis  (USA), Dawn: A Charleston Legend, Documentary Short

Rosa Nichols (USA), ENSURE, Editing

T.J. Penton (USA), Generosity, Women Filmmakers

ValOne (France), The Last Star, Animation

Veronica Nichols (USA), Perspectives, Actor: Leading (Mike Merrill as Cole), Actor: Supporting (Christian Howard as Sam), Actress: Supporting (Ahsanna Bri as Kimber), Direction

Zelong Liu (China), Lost mother, Children / Family Programming (Student)

Award of Merit

Ali Sadeghian (Iran), BIRTH OF TWO DEPARTEDS, Film Short

Andrew Brown (USA), Angelo's, Commercial / Infomercial

Andy Yi Li (USA), After Sunset, Dawn arrives, Actor: Supporting (Student) (Todd Lien as Ken)

Anitra Nelson (Australia), Beyond Money: Yenomon, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Bats Chan (China), Along with the Rivers, Documentary Short, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Beni Garrido (Switzerland), Earth (ARDA), Music Video

Bodhi J.W. Rutledge (Canada), Numinous, Film Short

Brad Hillwig (USA), The Purpose of Song, Documentary Short

Brandon Davis (USA), Coal Blooded, Documentary Short, Editing

Bryan Michael Block (USA), EnVeive, Film Short

Carlo D'Amore (USA), Mamita, Actress: Leading (Paola Nuñez as Mamita), Latin / Hispanic

Charles Billot (USA), Ghost, Music Video

Chris Carpenter (USA), Connor's Cake, Editing

Christian Cordeaux (USA), Black Moms at Risk: The dark secret of the U.S., Documentary Short, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Script / Writer (Bianca Dickerson-Williams), Women Filmmakers, African American (Bianca Dickerson-Williams)

Craig Oty (USA), Psyche Obscura, Experimental

Derek Johnson (USA), My Molly, Film Short

Devin Gillis  (USA), Oopsy Daisy, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Eugene Yoo (USA), Street Chess; Community, Care, and Competition, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Fousseyni Maiga (Mali), SEVEN, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Garrett Glassell (USA), Snapped, Film Short

Gimante Nichols (USA), Toxicity, Film Short

Golnaz Jamsheed (Iran), Pregnant, Women Filmmakers

Graham Northrup (USA), Stand Up - Short Comedy, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Maura Beth Fawley as Sal Colton)

Ivan Drudi (Spain), The Trip of Life - Episode 1: Racism, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

J Z Murdock (USA), Pvt. Ravel's Bolero, Experimental

James Stewart (Canada), Chateau Laurier, Season 2, Actress: Supporting (Brittany Raymond as Violet Moore)

Jason Kelly Lee (USA), Sticks and Stones, Film Short, Direction, Cinematography

Jason Zi Jun Yueh (Hong Kong), Moon Thieves, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Jey Wagner (USA), You're What Matters (feat. Belle Nuntita), Music Video

Joe Chilcott (USA), Argyle Christmas, Music Video

Joseph Galizia (USA), Bella Y Cedro, Film Short

Julia Tutko-Balena (USA), Guidance, Actress: Leading (Nicky Lowney as Hope), Actress: Supporting (Julia Tutko-Balena as Faith), Direction, Film Short, Women Filmmakers, Script / Writer (Julia Tutko-Balena)

Kevin Holik (USA), Televoir, Film Short

Khazar Pourahmadi (Iran), monochrome, Film Short

Leigh Reddick (USA), 3:14, Actress: Leading (Student) (Lorraine May Isbell as Penny)

Lesley Coleman (Australia), Home Truths, Editing, Women Filmmakers

Lili Giacobino (United Kingdom), Living with double vision,  An artist’s journey with diplopia, Documentary Short

María Yolanda Brown Melián and Kevin Ramos Fernández (Spain), Los Aspirantes -The Applicants-, Television - Pilot Program

Maya Peters (USA), Teddy Hugger, Experimental (Student)

Nick Stanchev (Bulgaria), AM I NOT MY BROTHERS' KEEPER?, Film Short

Paolo Marzocchi (Italy), Il sacrificio della natura, Direction, Film Short

Phil Gioja (USA), Driven to Help, Nonprofit / Fundraising

Qian Zhou (China), SINKING, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Rani Khanna (United Kingdom), More Than Blood, Educational / Instructional / Training

Raymond Chai (United Kingdom), Monoi Mazi (Alone Together), Ensemble Cast, Entertainment / Drama / Dance / Variety

Riley Cecil Taggart (USA), THREESOME, Film Short

Robert Patriarca (USA), Life's Better Protected, Direction, Ensemble Cast, Script / Writer (Robert Patriarca)

Rosa Nichols (USA), ENSURE, Women Filmmakers

Rossano B. Maniscalchi (Italy), The Key to Heaven, Narration / Voiceover Talent (Duane March), Art Direction

Sabrina Dubner (USA), I Hate Summer, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Sasha Nelson (USA), Fish Out Of Water, Actress: Leading (Shannon Amiry as Lorelei)

Silvester Zwaneveld (Netherlands), The One, Animation, Editing

Tanja Blume (Poland), NADIA, Actress: Leading (Alexandra Alicia Broniec as Maya), Direction, Script / Writer (Tanja Blume), Women Filmmakers, Dramatic Impact

Terry Ross (USA), A Chateau in the Loire, Women Filmmakers

Tyson R Hunsaker (USA), Queen to H4, Film Short

Vanessa Nilsson (USA), A Polar Bear Story, Animation

Wonjin Lee (Korea), Hole, Experimental, LGBTQ+

World Surf League (USA), We Are One Ocean 2022 Impact, Nature / Environment / Wildlife, Documentary Short

Xin Jiang (USA), Good Match Bad Date, Actor: Supporting (Student) (Please email us the name of actor AND character name)

Yaw Obrenu Yamoah (Canada), Caroline, Film Short

Zef Cota (USA), Makina, Direction, Ensemble Cast, Film Short, Script / Writer

Award of Recognition

Adrian Suknjov (Austria), Living Portrait of Adrian Suknjov, Experimental (Student), Concept (Student)

Adriana Davis (USA), Dancing Without Steps: The Art of Improvisation with Margaret Beals, Educational / Instructional / Training

Andrew Justvig (USA), Eric's Dad, Disability Issues

Bannon Brody (USA), As Deep Can Be, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)

Brad Banacka (USA), More...More...More..., Actor: Leading (Brad Banacka as Joe), Film Short

Bri Kaisen, Matthew Humphrey and Mary McKeon, Hollins University (USA), Bless Your Heart, Script / Writer (Bri Kaisen, Michael Greenwald and Ian Deleon)

Cade Coulson (USA), Alone, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Camille Sharon (USA), The Lola LaRue Variety Show, Actress: Leading (Diana Costa as Lola LaRue)

Catherine Phillips (United Kingdom), Winter Lockdown, LGBTQ+

Cathy Fiorillo and Steve Kwasnik (USA), QUIRKS, Actress: Leading (Cathy Fiorillo as Cathy Singly), Film Short, Women Filmmakers (Cathy Fiorillo), Actor: Supporting (Kevin Kraft as Bradley)

Chris Arnold (USA), A Day At The Beach, Direction (Student), Editing (Student), LGBTQ+ (Student)

Dale Sonnenberg (USA), The Story of Marit in the White World, Disability Issues

Darice Polo (USA), Nature Boy, Latin / Hispanic

Derek Johnson (USA), My Molly, Actor: Leading (Mike Daruler as Ron), Actress: Supporting (Audrey Wooster as Dr Daugherty), Actress: Leading (Grace Brown as Molly)

Dez Mighty (United Kingdom), Debt. A prisoner in your own home, Film Short

Di Yi (China), The Story of the opera, Children / Family Programming

Frank Vespe (USA), LEAVE THE CANNOLI, Public Service Programming / PSA, Creativity / Originality

Garry Michael Kluger (USA), Nutz & Boltz, Script / Writer (Garry Michael Kluger), Ensemble Cast

Gavin Hunter Checchi (USA), The Last Homerun, Disability Issues, Documentary Short

Iola Nguyen (United Kingdom), THE DORMANT TRUTH, Women Filmmakers, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Ishara Mathews (USA), re- + flect?, “again I bend, I curve”, Women Filmmakers

J Z Murdock (USA), Pvt. Ravel's Bolero, Documentary Short

Jake A Yun (USA), Escape, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

James C. Boyd (USA), Guilt, Actor: Leading (James C. Boyd as James), Experimental

James Chen (Taiwan), Energy for the 7 brothers, Webisode

Jarret Liotta (USA), SMALL TOWN MOVIE, Film Short

Ji Lee (USA), A Humming Cloud, Women Filmmakers (Student), Editing (Student)

Jonathan Kinch (United Kingdom), LOT______, Experimental

Kamil Jękot (Poland), Icebreaker, Film Short, Direction

Klara Chmelarova (Czech Republic), Backwater, Script / Writer

Luciano Giardino (Argentina), Joaquín my cousin, Disability Issues

Magi Avila (USA), STREET LIVING, Television - Pilot Program

Meredith Esquivel (USA), To Be Like You, Women Filmmakers

Michael Hill (USA), SmallTown Outsiders Episode 2 - PizzaScape, Television - Program Series

Michael Omodi (USA), Glass Mouth, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Miles Abraham Broadhead (USA), Cookie Wars: Sugar Cookie Edition, Television - Pilot Program, Web Series

Nayla Singleton (USA), Witchcraft For Dummies, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Nick Stanchev (Bulgaria), AM I NOT MY BROTHERS' KEEPER?, Actress: Supporting (Rossi Itoff as Sofia)

Nicolae Bogdan Groza (USA), The Corridor, Script / Writer

Phil Ipsan (USA), I Love the Jews, Music Video

Rajkumar John (Australia), Who is Larry, Film Short

Riocam (USA), Drive to Kill, Film Short

Roman Mitichyan (USA), Brothers till the End, Film Short

Rora Wightman (USA), Death Follows Us, Film Short (Student)

Roxana Mares (Canada), The Healer's Dream, Documentary Short, History / Biographical

Sabrina Dubner (USA), The Last Sighting, Young Filmmaker - 17 and younger

Shihyun Wang (USA), A fight I did not pick on, Narration / Voiceover Talent (Randy Montrey)

Sophia Hlavac (USA), Jilly Goats Gruff, Children / Family Programming (Student)

Steve Rahter (USA), The Rapture Dad-venture, Children / Family Programming

Tamara Pomponio (USA), The Meeting, Film Short, Ensemble Cast

Tyler Appian (USA), Dark Web, Film Short, Script / Writer

Zave D (USA), The Cuddleverse Animation Short Film, Animation

Zhi Dong (Germany), Sonographie, Animation (Student), Liberation / Social Justice / Protest (Student)