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La Jolla, CA, November 2023 - The IndieFEST is proud to announce the latest winners. Congratulations to all the filmmakers who participated in the current season!The awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment and compelling documentaries. The IndieFEST is a top-tier international awards competition. It honors professionals, established and emerging, who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity. The goal of The IndieFEST is to help the winners of this coveted award achieve the recognition they deserve. Additionally, each year IndieFEST also bestows a special award to productions that make significant contributions to social change or a humanitarian effort. Please visit www.TheIndieFEST.com to learn more about the IndieFEST Humanitarian Award.

November 2023

~ Best of Show ~ 

Tales of Babylon – Pelayo de Lario (United Kingdom)

Pelayo de Lario (United Kingdom), Tales of Babylon, Film Feature – In the style of Reservoir Dog and Pulp Fiction, this ultra-hip crime thriller weaves together the lives of four mob hitmen, a precious kid, a gangster boss called the Silver Dragon, a bullied bartender who is out for revenge (and so much more!) in seven tales of violence and redemption. Colorful characters drive the action. “X” and “Y” are two hitmen with a knack for the theatrical and for each other. “Mother Nature”, with her black eye patch, redefines cool as she is alternatively elegant or brutal as she eliminates her enemies; the well-dressed though erratically neurotic “Professional” bumbles his way through violent acts and “Martin”, a completely unhinged bartender looking to exact revenge. Rounding out the characters is a sociopathic Mob boss and his completely adorable granddaughter whose quivering lower lip can bring down a hitman. The creative and unfailingly grungy and abandoned locations give setting to the quirky personalities and scenes filled with copious violence and sprinkled with a dose of humor and pathos. A very talented cast stars: Clive Russell (Game of Thrones), Billie Gadsdon (Cruella), Aaron Cobham (The Spanish Princess), Paul Cassidy (Outlander), Maria Crittell (Doctors) and Ray Calleja (Mr. Selfridge).

Migrants – Masoud Ahmadi (Iran)

Masoud Ahmadi (Iran), Migrants, Experimental / Film Feature – An experimental film with no dialogue – told through the lens of imaginative and artistic visuals, impactful sound design and achingly authentic performances. “Migrants” exposes the brutal reality of people and families being forced from their homes and homeland through violence and fear – all illustrated through touching symbolism and stunning cinematography in each artistically framed shot. The film gives a glimpse of the lives that 15 migrants are forced to leave behind and the indescribable trauma of losing everything and everyone that shaped their world. In the style of “poor man’s theater” where the focus is the actor and their impact on the viewer – it is fiercely accomplished without a word being spoken. Ahmadi’s deft direction brings symbolism to life through imaginative scenes that are intentionally sparse yet beautifully dramatic and heartbreakingly meaningful. Layered on that is an impactful sound design, highlighting elements that are both there and not there simultaneously – like a beloved bird, a musical instrument and a train that doesn’t really go by. Ultimately, this is a work of art and a brutally honest and exceptionally creative experimental film depicting this gut-wrenching humanitarian crisis. Artistic cinematography, excellent sound design, imaginative direction and a potent cast. Exceptional artistry in every way. Stars: Shima Poursahmedin (Pregnant woman), Tiran Alamdarfard (Writer), Shiva Bafahm (Singer), Sanaz Chamanmah (Tailor), Herman Ahmadi (Fetus), Maryam Dehghani (Mother), Amin Dolatkhah (Boxer), Faezeh Jabbari (Girl in the Suit Case), Mobina Kheyri (Girl Child), Mohsen Ostovari (Pantomimer), Sam Parsa (Toddler), Ghazal Rafiee (Dancer), Negin Saghir (Bride), Mehrdad Sahami (Groom),  Amirmohammad Sohrabi (Transexual), Alireza Yaghtin (Man with torch), Majid Yazdanshenas (Army Officer), Sara Zare-ei (Owner of Cage).

Award of Excellence Special Mention

James Higginson (Germany), Shuddhi, Doc Short – Emmy-winning Higginson’s innovative and artistically crafted doc about people in a Leprosy Ashram in India. A voice-over of a grandfather sharing wisdom gracefully serves a meditative portrait of familial tenderness and a poetic blend of documentary and auteur cinema, interweaving themes of humanness, fear, love, judgement and the never-ending cycle of water.

Bo-wei Ling (Taiwan), Shadow on the Terrace, Film Short – Qi and girlfriend Qian move into an old house with a terrace and many secrets. Qian is gone and Qi doesn’t know what’s real. A mysterious realtor, a disturbing painting and a mystical terrace. Deft direction and convincing performances. Rhydian Vaughan (Netflix Light the Night), Ko-Yuan Wang (Dear Tenant) and Golden Bell winner Xing Li (Gold Leaf).

Pedro Esteban Perez Rosado (Spain), Quatre Raons, Film Feature – A potent story of domestic violence, paced so performances take center stage. Abuser’s wife, sister and mother create a complex mix of personality and emotion. Truly exceptional performances by Goya Award-winner Mercedes Sampietro (Common Ground), Lorena López (Instant Love), Maria Cristina Plazas (The Body) and Jordi Ballester (The Sea Inside).

Curren Sheldon (USA), Country Brawlers, Doc Feature – Oscar-nominee Sheldon’s raw and intimate look into an eclectic cast of characters in struggling Appalachia – and how boxing can be a vehicle for change, purpose, and redemption. Through bombastic and charismatic trainer Corky Salyer, it skillfully mixes high-powered, stylized action with a strong blend of raw, observational moments and reveals the fervor of rural sports.

Kyle William Roberts (USA), What Rhymes with Reason, Children/Family Program – Emmy-winner Roberts’ story of teens on a quest to find a hidden landmark and confront the darkness in themselves. Bart Johnson (High School Musical), Lisa Fenimore (American Underdog) Gattlin Griffith (The Boys) Giselle Torres (Disney The Villains of Valley View), Ricardo Hurtado, LaRonn Marzett, Katie Burgess, Juan Graterol Jr.

Take Flight Learning (USA), BirdBrains Inc., Special Purpose Productions – A brilliant reimagination of the DISC profile system where styles come to life through colorful birds. Renown trainer Merrick Rosenberg leads a cast of professionally created puppets through insights and clever musical numbers. Emily Marsh (Mystery Science Theater 3000), Emmy-nominees Marc Petrosino, Kathleen Kim, Jennifer Barnhart, James J. Kroupa.

Michael Hyman (USA), Tina Town, LGBTQ+ – A heartbreaking story of addiction told through couple Sammy & Andy and the psychopathic Mr. Jones. Exceptional production design and lighting creatively illuminate the gritty action in a dilapidated building and gut-wrenching performances. John Fleck (Waterworld), Jason Caceres (Boy Culture Generation X), Eric M. Myrick (Good Trouble), narrated by Wilson Cruz (Star Trek:Discovery).

Annie Dautane (France), Hopper X Vermeer, Doc Feature – A tightly crafted, insightful doc weaves together artists Edward Hopper (Realism movement) and Johannes Vermeer (Dutch Golden Age). Though 300 years apart – each casts a unique gaze on individuals confined within their private space. The isolation of their characters mirrors the contemporary perspective that was felt during the pandemic lockdown.

Gregg Jaden (USA), The Curse Effect, Doc Short – Delivers never-before-seen footage of the mysterious Suku Dayak tribe deep in the heart of Indonesia’s Borneo jungle. Defying odds as a foreign outsider Jaden earned their trust and immerses you in their daily life, voodoo rituals and traditions. A compelling blend of fear, magic and a life-or-death struggle – told through the lens of personal experience and beautiful cinematography.


Award of Excellence

Alan Favela and Zurab Menteshashvili (USA), TBS | HSH Interiors | La Cornue, Commercial / Infomercial
Andrew Alan K. (USA), Thingamajig, Film Short
Arnau Argemi González (Spain), Shark Researchers: A New Approach to Shark Conservation, Documentary Short
Blake Mawson (Canada), I Hate People, People Hate Me, LGBTQ+
Brian Shakti (USA), Road to Terzetto, Film Feature
Brian Tadashi Maeda (USA), We said No! No!, Documentary Feature
Diego Silva Acevedo (USA), All Mighty God, Christian, Music Video
F. Michael Cable (USA), PERPETUAL, Film Short, Television – Pilot Program
Grace Samson and Barry Samson (USA), Cats and Husbands, Film Short
James Higginson (Germany), SHUDDHI, Cinematography
Janet P. Gardner (USA), A World Beneath the War, Documentary Feature, History/Biographical
Jessica Koloian (USA), Christine’s Wager, Actor: Supporting (Mike Markoff as Father Matthew)
Julia Verdin (USA), Maya, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Keith Leon S. (USA), The INside effects: How the Body Heals Itself, Documentary Feature
Luke Rex (USA), Bonding, Film Short
Matthew A. Handal (USA), Nothing Will Ever Be the Same, Editing
Matthew Dooley (USA), The Painter, Film Short
Matthew Margo (USA), ROUGH CUT, Script / Writer, Television – Pilot Program, Web Series, Concept, Creativity / Originality, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Viewer Impact: Entertainment Value, Comedy Program / Series
Michael Schlesinger (USA), Rock And Doris (try to) Write a Movie, Film Feature, Script / Writer
Michael Cipiti and Edward Lee Cornett (USA), Confessions of Carlo Gambino, Film Short
Nic Davis and Michel Shane, Shane Gang Pictures (USA), 21 Miles in Malibu, Public Service Programming / PSA, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Nick Lyon (USA), The Surprise Visit, Cinematography, Film Feature, Actor: Leading (Rob Riordan as Casey), Direction
Pelayo de Lario (United Kingdom), TALES OF BABYLON, Direction
Steven Cowan and Barry Hal Schienberg (USA), Single-Use Planet, Documentary Feature
Swen Werner (United Kingdom), My Digital Truth, Experimental, Health / Medicine / Science
Take Flight Learning (USA), BirdBrains, Inc., Educational / Instructional / Training, Film Short, Narration / Voiceover Talent
Yongseop Lee (Korea ), For Sale, Film Short


Award of Merit Special Mention

Aidan Kiyashka (USA), Torrent, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Brian Shakti (USA), Road to Terzetto, Ensemble Cast, Actor: Supporting (Eddie Vincent as Johnny)
Carlos Daniel Alvarado (Venezuela), Back to Maracaibo, Latin / Hispanic
Grace Samson and Barry Samson (USA), Cats and Husbands, Actress: Leading (Rae Cofsky as Fern), Actress: Supporting (Vanessa Simon as Marcie), Direction (Grace Samson and Barry Samson), Women Filmmakers
Jackson Hayes (USA), Coyote, Film Short (Student)
James Gossard (USA), Divine Instinct, Documentary Feature, Cinematography (Stewart D. Nash and Mauricio Ventura)
Joe Ronca (USA), One Last Glance, Film Short
Keith Leon S. (USA), The INside effects: How the Body Heals Itself, Editing (Theo Hall)
Naomi Shroff-Mehta (USA), Lovely, Asian (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Nick Lyon (USA), The Surprise Visit, Actress: Supporting (Serah Henesey as Juliette)
Patrick Baucelin (Martinique), THE COLOR OF SLAVERY, Documentary Feature
Philip Gordon (USA), QUANTUM OF SALSA, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Roy Medawar (USA), The Race of Our Lives, Documentary Feature
Sean Breitkreutz (USA), A House for My Family, Film Short
Stuart Pollack (USA), Obstacles Of The Heart, Script / Writer
Tony Tarantini (Italy), WISH, Music Video


Award of Merit

“Olivia” Luying Wang (USA), Remember, Love, Film Short (Student), Cinematography (Student)
ACIMODUO (China), A Village Named Deng’ Er, Documentary Feature
Aidan Kiyashka (USA), Torrent, Disability Issues (Student)
Al Padilla (USA), Coney Island Cousins, Film Feature, Actress: Leading (Diana Sillaots as Val), Actress: Leading (Upa InSpace as Yulia)
Alan Rexroth, Angry Buddha Films (Germany), #WAY_Aurelio, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Alexander McKee (USA), Gibberish, Music Video
Anton Juan (Philippines), Our Island of the Mangrove Moons, Asian, Ensemble Cast, Film Feature
Antonio Araujo (USA), DEVA, Latin / Hispanic, Creativity / Originality
Benita Vera von Sass (United Kingdom), The Yesterday, Film Short
Benjamin Hubert, Never 40 Production (USA), Open Guard, Television – Pilot Program, Concept

Carlos Arrieta (USA), Taking the Fight, Documentary Feature, Direction, Editing
Cédric Peyster – Le Roux (France), WOLFPACK, Film Short
Dani N. Thompson (USA), French Film, Music Video
Det Sporadiske Filmkollektivet (Norway), Woke?, Film Short
Evan Chapman (USA), Thus, the Night, Music Video
Guillaume Campanacci and Vesper Egon (France), Whenever I’m Alone With You, Direction
Hamid Saberi (Iran), Silver, Film Short
Harun Kazaz (USA), Rising Wings, Documentary Feature
Heidi Duckler (USA), I Will Remember What I Forgot, Experimental
James Gossard (USA), Divine Instinct, Editing (Bob Kanner and Matt Maddock), Direction
Janet Paxton Gardner, The Gardner Documentary Group (USA), QUAKERS: The Quiet Revolutionaries, Documentary Feature, Religion / Ethics
Jason Taglieri, Dayna Altman and Thea Touchton, Sueñito Media (USA), Bake It Till You Make It, Viewer Impact: Motivational / Inspirational
Jerri Iris Sher (USA), SMILES IN TECATE, Documentary Short

Jessica Koloian (USA), Christine’s Wager, Christian, Women Filmmakers, Script / Writer, Actress: Leading (Jessica Koloian as Christine Pascal)
Joe McNeal and Gerasimos Rozis (USA/Greece), Ancestors From the Stars, Script / Writer
Judy Mary Jackson (Canada), Where Can We Live In Peace?, Documentary Feature, Latin / Hispanic, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Women Filmmakers
Kevin Harris (South Africa), TRUE PATRIOT, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Documentary Feature
Leah Walker (Canada), Like Family, Film Short
Lilton Stewart III (USA), Getting Hit On, Film Short
Matthew A. Handal (USA), Nothing Will Ever Be the Same, Film Short
Max DeLeo (USA), The Ascension Program, Film Short
Miranda Allison (USA), SAIGU, Asian (Student), Film Short (Student)
Mouayed Zabtia (Libya), Story of Godia, Actor: Leading (Wasof Al Khweldi as Hassin), Actress: Leading (Basma Al Atrash as Noria), Editing
Nathan J. Lee (USA), Jeffrey King: The Legacy Tour, Documentary Short (Student)

Rudi Gohl and Hakima Alem (USA), What Happened to Jackson Avenue: A Story of Urban Renewal, Documentary Feature, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Ryan Parker (USA), Drink To You, Morgan Wallen, Music Video
Sean Breitkreutz (USA), mavi / willpower, Music Video
Sean Breitkreutz (USA), A House for My Family, Actor: Leading (Spencer Bang as Pence)
Shannon Dion (USA), Latasha Harlins, African American
Simon Stockdale (USA), The Softening, Film Feature, Ensemble Cast
Trevor McCann and Greg Chapman (USA), Darkroom, Film Short
Vireo Productions (USA), Precognito, Film Feature
Wan Ngo Long (Hong Kong), Oblivion, Asian
Will Scott (USA), The Volition of Thalmus DoQui, Film Short
Yisel Tapia and Carson Stringer (USA), Amongst The Myrtle Trees, Animation, LGBTQ+


Award of Recognition

AJ Tedesco (USA), Privacy, Please, Film Short
Alejandro Miguel Pereira (Canada), Seguimos Aquí / We are here., Documentary Short, Latin / Hispanic
Ana Cristina Bolanos (USA), ESTHER: Death Is No Sin, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Arthur Jordan Muhammad and Sean Hunt, Servant Productions and Luxe Film Works (USA), Step Dad, African American, Script / Writer (Sean Hunt, Servant Productions)
Blake Wakan and Melody Greenway (USA), The Projector, LGBTQ+
Brian Larios (USA), The Dark Ages – The Funeral, Webisode (Ivan Lee Gartner and Brian Larios), Ensemble Cast (Anne Arreguin, Nick Santucci, Dena Navarroli and Ivan Lee Gartner.)
Carolina Angel (USA), Jack, Women Filmmakers
Caroline Baggaley (Canada), LAILA NADENE, Women Filmmakers, Cinematography (Tomas Chedrese)
Catrina Fielis (USA), Loop, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Chantay Taylor (USA), Say Nothin’ But a Word, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest (Student)
Christopher Kulikowski (USA), Gimme Shelter Part Three, Script / Writer (David Davidson aka Kevin O’Neal)
Cosmic Dawn (USA), Cosmic Dawn – Meera & Tiatha Scene, Animation
Craig Andrew Wyhoon (Australia), Loki and Me, Disability Issues, Film Short
Daniel Mwendwa Muindi and Samuel Kariuki, Prime Productions & Promotions (USA), MELITA, Film Short
Danielle Heney (USA), After Twenty Years, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Dena K. Miller (USA), Mysterious Origin, Music Video
Dino Jacovides (United Kingdom), Three Birds, Film Short

Efriem Kahsay Quada (Eritrea), Sophia, Film Feature
Erica Miller (United Kingdom), Lost and Found, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Esaias Wiseworth (USA), Secret Lives, Restless Hearts, Script / Writer, Creativity / Originality
Ethan McKellar (USA), The Ensemble, Direction (Student), Concept (Student)
Frank Reyes (Spain), Dante, El Prisionero de la Torre, Actor: Leading (Juan José Sanz as Dante), Actress: Leading (Coco Evers as Sol), Film Short, Script / Writer (Frank Reyes)
Henry Black (USA), BUNNY-MAN & CO. ep. 1: ENTER THE HYPE LEAGUE, Animation, Children / Family Programming
Hera Khanmirzaei and Amirhosein Saqafi (Iran), Dreamy Fragrance of Spring Blossoms, Film Short
Hunter Nickless (USA), Beyond the Gate, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger, Special Effects: Animation
Jack Tempchin and Gregory Page (USA), MIDNIGHT JACK the MOVIE, Documentary Feature
James Chen (Taiwan), Taipei’s Urburan Soldiers, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Jason Taglieri, Dayna Altman and Thea Touchton, Sueñito Media (USA), Bake It Till You Make It, Documentary Feature
Jen Krater and Paolo Pagliacolo (USA), The Voice Behind The Story, Actress: Leading (Briana Bender as Carrie), Film Short
Jeremy Gredone (USA), Sacred Flowers, Music Video, Native Peoples
Jessica Bailey (Australia), I’M NOT A NURSE, Film Short

Jianda Ma (USA), A Documentary Footage of Sheng’s One Day, Actor: Leading (Student) (Darren Ma as Sheng), Asian (Student), Direction (Student), Film Short (Student), Script / Writer (Student)
Jingchen Zhao (USA), Mare Immensus (Sea of the Boundless), Women Filmmakers
Joey Monahan (Canada), The Cabin, Film Short, Concept
John Johnson (USA), LAST SUNRISE, Film Short
Johnny Vonneumann (USA), Americans in Israel, Documentary Short, Editing, Jewish, Music Video
Jon Cohen (Australia), Ghost Stories, Film Short
Joseph Taft (USA), The Innkeeper, Film Short, Original Score (Composed by Gary Taft)
Joshua Sowden (USA), INCESSANT, Film Short
Judy Mary Jackson (Canada), Where Can We Live In Peace?, Christian, Disability Issues
Kevin Gorman (USA), Will Happen, Film Short (Student)
Kiarash Bokaeyan (Iran), VARANUS, Film Short
Maria A. LaBonte (USA), The Water Shaman Eternal Love Oath, Movie Trailer
Mary Jo Bole (USA), Family White Elephants, Documentary Feature
Maryam Rahimi (Iran), Soraya, Film Short
Max Bloom (USA), JULIAN: A Jiu Jitsu Story, Documentary Feature

Michael A. Newman (USA), HALF WAY HOME, Script / Writer (Michael Anthony Newman)
Michael Buckley (Canada), Planet Ocean Blues, Documentary Short
Michael Rock and Dillon Brown (USA), Tahoe Joe, Disability Issues, Concept
Miranda Allison (USA), Good Grief, Latin / Hispanic (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Mouayed Zabtia (Libya), Story of Godia, Actor: Supporting (Waheb Kaledt as Talal), Direction, Television – Program / Series
Pei Ting Wang (Taiwan), The Aggregates, Experimental (Student)
Peter B. Barton (USA), We Rise Up Singing, Documentary Short
Philip Gordon (USA), QUANTUM OF SALSA, Film Short (Student)
Rob Luedtke (USA), Yellow Magnolia, Actress: Leading (Student) (Stacy Vest as Jeanne), Film Short (Student), Actress: Supporting (Student) (Clover Keyes Roy as Amy)
Russell J Dreher (USA), Bed Bug Love, Music Video
Somdatta Pal (USA), We Rise, Music Video
Stacy Pendergrast (USA), Mani Mani Baby, Actress: Leading (Irene Fitzpatrick as Donna West)
Susan Ruth Downs, MD and Alex Voss (USA), Something Ain’t Right, Documentary Feature
Tito Giliberto (Italy), The antifascist era, Documentary Feature
Tito Giliberto (Italy), VIVALDI MYSTERY, Experimental
Yvon Streacker (USA), Nut Butter Dreams, Film Short