HIFF27 announced the awards on October 14 at the Awards Brunch, held at Serafina in East Hampton. Congratulations to all our winners, and thank you to all the filmmakers who shared their work with our audiences this year. 

AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE

THE TWO POPES, DIRECTED BY FERNANDO MEIRELLES

AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE, DIRECTED BY RIC BURNS

AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM

FIRE IN PARADISE, DIRECTED BY DREA COOPER & ZACKARY CANEPARI

ZICHERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION SCREENWRITING AWARD

WAVES, DIRECTED BY TREY EDWARD SHULTS

In addition, Trey Edward Shults, writer and director of HIFF’s Closing Night Film WAVES, received the inaugural Zicherman Family Foundation Screenwriting Award. This $10,000 award is presented to an early-career screenwriter who has demonstrated singular vision and dedication to their craft. This award seeks to both celebrate their current work and encourage the development of future projects.

“Filmgoers were captivated by the dynamic performances and historic moments in religious history of THE TWO POPES, the exploration of extraordinary neurologist and storyteller Oliver Sacks in OLIVER SACKS: HIS OWN LIFE, and the gripping recount of the terrifying wildfires in Butte County, California in FIRE IN PARADISE,” said HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent. “We are proud to have screened all the films in this year’s program for our audiences out East and share such a strong slate of cinema.”

COMPETITION AWARDS

Jury Selection for Best Narrative Feature
A WHITE, WHITE DAY, directed by Hlynur Pálmason
Director Hlynur Pálmason receives a $3,000 cash prize as well as a film production package of in-kind goods and services, with a total value of $100,000.
Sponsored by Warby Parker

Special Cinematography Award
Miguel Ioann Litten Menz for THE VAST OF NIGHT

Breakthrough Achievement in Filmmaking Award
THE BEST OF DORIEN B., directed by Anke Blondé

Special Jury Mentions for Acting Performances:
• Ída Mekkín Hlynsdóttir for A WHITE, WHITE DAY
• Mama Sane in ATLANTICS
• Corinna Harfouch in LARA
• Kim Snauwaert in THE BEST OF DORIEN B.
• Sierra McCormick in THE VAST OF NIGHT

Jury selection for Best Documentary Feature
OVERSEAS, directed by Sung-a Yoon
Director Sung-a Yoon receives a $3,000 cash prize as well as a film production package of in-kind goods and services, with a total value of over $25,000.
Sponsored by Investigation Discovery

Special Jury Prize for Artistic Vision
CUNNINGHAM, directed by Alla Kovgan

Special Jury Prize for Indomitable Spirit of Storytelling
TALKING ABOUT TREES, directed by Suhaib Gasmelbari

Jury Selection for Best Narrative Short
JUST ME AND YOU, directed by Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers
Director Sandrine Brodeur-Desrosiers receives a $500 cash prize and the film qualifies for consideration at the Academy Awards® for Best Live Action Short Film.

Jury selection for Best Documentary Short
GHOSTS OF SUGAR LAND, directed by Bassam Tariq
Director Bassam Tariq receives a $500 cash prize and the film qualifies for consideration at the Academy Awards® for Best Live Action Short Film.

Special Jury Prize for Originality
ALL CATS ARE GREY IN THE DARK, directed by Lasse Linder

Special Jury Prize for Courageous Filmmaking
THE NIGHTCRAWLERS, directed by Alexander A. Mora

“As we close out the 27th edition of the festival, we are thrilled to announce this year’s awardees. We are in awe of these films and the talented filmmakers behind each of them,” said David Nugent, HamptonsFilm Artistic Director. “This year brought an abundance of captivating films with wide ranging topics and engaging conversations.”

> Meet the HIFF27 Jury

SIGNATURE PROGRAM AWARDS

“We are proud of all the incredible premieres, screenings and events over the past five days for the 27th Hamptons International Film Festival,” said Anne Chaisson, HamptonsFilm Executive Director. “We are thankful to all of the filmmakers for sharing their extraordinary films and talents with our audience, and also wish to extend sincere gratitude to our staff, sponsors and film loving community, without whom the festival would not be possible.”

The 2019 Zicherman Family Foundation Screenwriting Award—$10,000
WAVES, directed by Trey Edward Shults
Presented to an early-career screenwriter who has demonstrated singular vision and dedication to their craft. This award seeks to both celebrate their current work and encourage the development of future projects.

The 2019 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award to Films of Conflict and Resolution—$5000
FOR SAMA, directed by Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts
In recognition of excellence in filmmaking that highlights the provocative and dramatic content, societal effects, and complex issues resulting from war and violence.

Suffolk County Next Exposure Grant—$3000
THE ARTIST’S WIFE, directed by Tom Dolby
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—$2500
WATSON, directed by Lesley Chilcott
Presented to a film in the Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights section that raises public awareness and provokes discussion about contemporary issues of social concern, with a focus on the rights, as well as the moral and ethical treatment of animals. The award is given to a film that inspires compassion, motivates action and compels change.

Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice—$2,000
CONSCIENCE POINT, directed by Treva Wurmfeld
Presented to a film that exemplifies the values of peace, equality, global justice, and civil liberties, and named in honor of two people who spent their entire lives fighting for those values.

University Short Film Awards—$500
Honoring emerging talent, the five films selected for the University Short Film Showcase will each receive a cash award.

• BIRCH, directed by Paisley Valentine Walsh
• THE BOXERS OF BRULE, directed by Jessie Adler
• FINE, directed by Maya Yadlin
• PERFECT MOMENT, directed by Matthew Noydens
• THE UNITED STATES OF PARANOIA OR: HOW I STAYED ON THE LINE TO REPAIR MY AIR CONDITIONER, directed by Rashan Castro

The 2019 festival was dedicated to Michael Lynne, a HIFF Board Member for almost two decades, and Mark Urman a member of HIFF’s Advisory Board for eleven years.