Go to www.TheIndieFEST.com for details.
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.
Best of Show
WE THE VOTERS - Vulcan Productions / Show of Force / Warrior Poets
Vulcan Productions / Show of Force / Warrior Poets (USA) Contemporary Issues / Use of film for social change – We the Voters is a nonpartisan digital slate of 20 short films designed to inform, inspire and activate voters nationwide with fresh perspectives on the subjects of democracy, elections and governance in the lead up to the 2016 elections. The star-studded digital initiative features comedies, documentaries and animated shorts that show how U.S. democracy works and encourage Americans to make informed choices and show up to vote. Each unique film covers an important topic in a fresh, informative and highly entertaining way. Features stars such as Rosario Dawson, Joshua Malina, Tom Arnold, Richard Kind, Analeigh Tipton, Grace Helbig, Josh Horowitz and more. Highly creative filmmaking, inspired writing, excellent performances and fresh perspectives define this exceptional set of films.
Award of Excellence Special Mention
Patrick Osborne (USA) Pearl, Animation – Living in their car, a girl and her dad cross the country chasing their musical dreams. It’s about gifts, their power of love and finding grace in unlikely places. Driven by and indelible and touching song, Oscar-winner Osborne brings extraordinary filmmaking to this charming film – part of the Google Spotlight series.
Storm Ashwood (Australia), Moth, Film Short – A twisted tale of a bitter man and a ghostly dark Angel, Moth leaves viewers with a paradoxical experience of light and dark. Skillful direction, provocative script, outstanding lighting and exceptional and gut wrenching performances by Steve Le Marquand (Broke, Underbelly) and Mia Pistorius (Wonderland, Headshot).
Brian A. Ross (USA), The Letter, Film Short – A New Yorker at the end of his rope finds the writing of his suicide letter punctuated by a chance meeting with a mysterious woman (and a sweater-wearing dog) who may ultimately save his life. An enticingly quirky and touching film with charming actors and creative editing.
David Bertran (USA), Coming to Terms, Film Short – Facing the passing of their parents, Eddie and Sally try to understand death based on their pious dad’s religious teachings. When life in Heaven seems ideal, they make a decision that nobody could have expected. A poignant and impactful story leaving the viewer to contemplate their own beliefs.
Qiu Hao-zhou (Taiwan), The Black Box, Film Feature – A famous journalist is kidnapped and imprisoned in a warehouse. In order to survive, she has to play a real escape game with the help of a hostile colleague. The game takes unexpected turns as mysteries unravel and lives are forever changed. Engaging and unexpected with talented cinematography and editing.
April Phillips (New Zealand), REM, Film Short – When security guard Gail Morris comes across a homeless man with an extraordinary gift, she desperately dreams of harnessing it to save lives, but first she must save him and not all dreams are free. A compelling story with outstanding acting and direction.
Bill Wisneski (USA), Joshua Tree: Threatened Wonderland, Doc Short – With mysterious rock formations and iconic trees, Joshua Tree provides a haven for those seeking inspiration. Scientists predict that most of the trees will disappear within 80 years due to pollution, fire and global warming. Stunning cinematography, skillful editing and impactful narrative.
Michael Raso (Australia), Solitude, Film Short – Widow Margaret spends each day sitting on a bench at her local train station. The staff are aware of her presence and give her something significant in an envelope, hoping she’ll not return. A sad and sweet story of love, loss and cherished memories impactful in its unassuming-ness.
Susie Singer Carter (USA), My Mom and The Girl, Actress: Leading – Five-time Emmy winner Valerie Harper plays Nanny, a former singer suffering from Alzheimer’s whose fearlessness takes her on an enlightening adventure in East L.A. With a funny, poignant and genuine portrayal, her performance is both heart-breaking and heart-warming.
Award of Excellence
Bao Nguyen /Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), The Future of Social Security, Educational / Instructional / Training
Bernardo Ruiz /Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Citizen Next, Cinematography, Documentary Short and Run Rep Run, Documentary Short
Beth Kruvant (USA), Levinsky Park, Documentary Feature
Brian A. Ross (USA), The Letter, Direction
Brian O’Neill (USA), The Renovation, Film Short
Brock Gallagher / Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Mission Insurable, Animation, Special Effects: Animation
Cheryl Halpern (USA), WishMakers, Disability Issues
Clare Sladden and Jasmine Sladden (Australia), Consent, Film Short
Douglas Beer (Switzerland), Mary’s Loop, Film Feature
Ellen Goosenberg Kent /Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Mediocracy, Documentary Short
Eoin Macken (USA), The Green Rabbit & The Ice Cream Girl, Film Short
Eric Stoltz (USA), Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk, Film Feature
Errol Sack (USA), Kill Em All Los Angeles, Webisode
Harold Moss / Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Student Debt Roulette, Animation, Special Effects: Animation
Hsu Kuo-yang (Taiwan), The Plum Rain, Documentary Short
Hung Ju Huang (Taiwan), Fighting Air Pollution, Children / Family Programming
Jake Alexander (USA), 2nd LiFE, Film Short
James Murdoch (Canada), EXIT: MUSIC, Documentary Feature
JeanPaul SanPedro (USA), 704 Spring Street, Film Short
John Evan Harris (New Zealand), Every Little Thing, Film Short
Jonathan Holbrook (USA), CUSTOMER 152, Actor: Leading (Dan Crisafulli as Terrence Mackleby)
Joseph Mancuso and Chloe Lenihan (USA), Life, Coached, Television – Pilot Program
Julia Verdin (USA), Lost Girls, Film Short
Kevin Hand / Show of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), I’m Just A $100 Bill, Animation, Special Effects: Animation
Lenny Dorfman (USA), Bring Back the Cat, Film Short
Malcolm Goodwin (USA), CONSTRUCTION, Film Feature
Melanie de Klerk, Get Lost Productions Inc. (Canada), Get Lost In Myanmar, Documentary Short, On-Camera Talent (Sophie Lui), Cinematography, Editing, Concept
Miguel Berzal de Miguel (Spain), "Nomeolvides" Forget-me-nots, Film Short
Mira Chang /Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Disrupt Lobbying, Editing (Aaron Mackof and Robert Mape)
Molly Hermann (USA), WRITTEN OFF, Documentary Feature
Nathan Morris / Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), How To Master Debate, Script / Writer
Panos Anestis (Greece), Newton: The Force of God, Documentary Short
Roberto D’Antona (Italy), The Reaping, Television – Pilot Program
Sasie Sealy /Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), Hot Tips to Rock the Ballot Box, Women Filmmakers, Art Direction
Sebastien Tobler (USA), ANAMNESIS, Film Short
Sherif R. Alabede (USA), Arcadian, Music Video
Sonia Rossier (Switzerland), The Vultures, Film Short
Spark Media (USA), First Lady of the Revolution, Documentary Feature
Thomas Hobson, Hobson’s Choice Productions (USA), XXIII Boss, Film Short
Tim Gray (USA), Remember Pearl Harbor Documentary, Documentary Feature
Tobie Garceau (Canada), Supporting role, Film Short
Veena Rao / Show Of Force / Vulcan Productions (USA), So You Think You Can Vote, Documentary Short
Virgil Widrich (Austria), Vienna table trip, Commercial / Infomercial
Warrior Poets / Vulcan Productions (USA), Altered States of America and American Party Animals and Foreign Entanglements, Educational / Instructional / Training
Yang Shou-yi and Tseng Hsun-yi (Taiwan), Marine Life and Human and Sea, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Award of Merit Special Mention
Akpomo Aburime-Prewitt (USA), Agenda X, Television – Pilot Program
Anthony Ash Brennan (Australia), Bad Jesus, Film Short
Cato ML Ekrene (Norway), Run, Actor: Leading (Kim Sønderholm as Jan)
Cheryl Halpern (USA), WishMakers, Documentary Short, Jewish and Two Zions: The Living Legacy of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon, Christian, Jewish
Chia-Hung Kao (Taiwan), Dare to Dream-Sing for you, Children / Family Programming
Danielle Kronenberg, Sandra Herlog and Jackie Massar (USA), CANVAS, LGBT
Frederik Barington (Denmark), When The Sun Shines, Film Feature
Joel Walters (USA), It’s All in the Game, Documentary Feature
Kevin Knoblock (USA), The First American, Documentary Feature
Mário Dinis (Portugal), V1RUZ feat. Ígnea – A Carta, Music Video
Miguel Berzal de Miguel (Spain), "Cuidar a Ruth" Taking care of Ruth, Film Short (Student)
Patrick Hodgson (Canada), The Last Day, Film Short
Penelope Lawson (USA), Numb, Film Short
Randy Kent and Justin Little (USA), Forgotten, Film Short
Susan Downs (USA), The Big Secret, Use of Film / Video for Social Change
Terry Miles (Canada), Stagecoach: The Texas Jack Story, Film Feature
Tim Li (Taiwan), Hak Idea, Remixes / Mashups
Tom Grady and Keith Oncale (USA), Symposium, Actress: Leading (Margaret Avery as Woman)
Award of Merit
Adrian Parr and Sean Hughes (USA), The Intimate Realities of Water, Women Filmmakers
Alexandra Williams (USA), Awful Pretty, Women Filmmakers
Andrew Elizaga and Katya Palladina (USA), Dancing with Hope, Documentary Short
Anthony Anderson, Southeast Boy Productions (USA), ANACOSTIA, Web Series
Brady Valashinas (USA), Rangers of the Reef, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)
Charles Randolph (USA), American Fango, Film Feature
Charlie Binford (USA), Jungle Jim – A Musical Wildlife Adventure, Animation
Chris and Maurice Micallef, CMM Productions (Malta), THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY, Documentary Feature, Educational / Instructional / Training
Constantin Maier (Germany), An Evening of Eternity, Film Feature (Student)
Cook St. Productions (USA), Bunco, Film Short
Craig Bettendorf (USA), Treading Yesterday, LGBT, Web Series
Daniel York (United Kingdom), Hall of Mirrors, Actor: Leading (Andrew Koji as Basil)
David Karp and Courtney Loo (USA), Celebration of Nothing, Film Short
David Roncin (Canada), Match, Film Short
David Tittone (USA), Top Coat Cash, Film Feature
Deborah C. Hoard and Che Broadnax (USA), Civil Warriors, African American
Derek O’Dell (USA), AEON, Experimental (Student)
Derrick Yung-Te Wu (Taiwan), The Fa Boat, Documentary Short
Dev Gupta (India), QISSBAH – What is not a story?, Experimental
Ernesto M. Sandoval (USA), Edward, Film Feature
Farid Yazdani (Canada), Day Players, Television – Pilot Program, Television – Program / Series, Direction (Aref Mahabadi), Cinematography (Dan Wood), Script / Writer (Chris D’alessandro), Actor: Supporting (Brock Morgan as Blake Summers)
Fiona Cochrane (Australia), 25 TRACKS, Documentary Short
Gemma O’Doherty (Ireland), Mary Boyle: The Untold Story, Documentary Feature
Gisela Nadasy (Sweden), After School, Film Short
Gregg Simpson (USA), Adventures of Miss Fit, Documentary Feature
Guo Jun-ming (Taiwan), Under the Persimmon Streetlight, Animation
Hannah Gaber (USA), A Young Nation: The future of Oman through the eyes of its youth, Women Filmmakers (Student)
James Boyda (USA), Smoke & Ash, Documentary Short
James Choi (USA), Empty Space, Film Feature (Student)
Jason Morris (USA), Collapse, Film Feature
Jeffrey Scott Gould (USA), Quiet Please…, Documentary Feature
Jodie Livingston (USA), SafeZone, Documentary Short
Johan Eriksson (Palestine), Hoda’s Story, Documentary Feature
Jonathan Holbrook (USA), CUSTOMER 152, Film Feature
Kat Green (USA), THE BIG SWIM, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Kiel Thorlton (USA), 12:12, Christian (Student)
Kill the Pig Productions (USA), Leap, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Kwanshun Sherwin Lau (USA), Sorrytown – Let’s Pretend | Music Video, Music Video
Lani Cupchoy (USA), Truth Seekers, Documentary Short
Liu Yan-ming (Taiwan), Far Away From Home, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Lyn Caudle (USA), CrashTest Dummies (I’m taking the Bus ), Commercial / Infomercial
Matt Ralph (USA), Iron Maidens : The Female Fighters, Documentary Short
Matthew Lopes (USA), Dive, Television – Pilot Program
Michael Giannantonio (USA), Blurred Vision, Film Short
Michael Holman (USA), Inkfinger, Film Feature
Michael Notrica (USA), Creation’s Daughter, Film Short
Miguel Berzal de Miguel (Spain), "Un encuentro" An Encounter, Film Short
Mike Levinsohn (USA), Lincoln Letter, Actress: Leading (Student) (Grace Kennedy Woodford as Grace), Film Short (Student)
Mike Sellari (USA), Asterisk, Film Short
Mitzi Kapture (USA), The Process, Women Filmmakers, Documentary Short, Direction
Naama Kates (USA), Sorceress, Women Filmmakers
Nadya Ali (USA), Breaking Silence, Documentary Short
Nancy Allison (USA) and Laura Boato (Italy), marmo (marble), Experimental, Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays
Nicholas Bayfield, University of Brighton in association with Brighton Film School (United Kingdom), Asperger’s Syndrome, Experimental Disability Issues (Student)
Nick Atanasoff (Australia), Celeste, Film Short
Nicolas Wendl (USA), Blend In, Television – Pilot Program
Nlyten Media (USA), Mindset: Electricity, Educational / Instructional / Training
Oded Erell and Riki Landsberg (Israel), Mindream, Experimental
Patric Baucelin (Martinique), AT THE TIME OF SUGAR ISLANDS, Documentary Short
Pearl Thomas and Nick Clark, CHEER FILMS Productions (USA), Carry On, Film Short
Peter Dimako (USA), Thanatophobia, Film Short
Riccardo Di Gerlando (Italy), Well done, Disability Issues
Robert Zameroski (USA), The Last Note, Film Short
Ron Chapman, Chapman Productions (USA), The Forbidden Shore, Documentary Program / Series
Ross Carey (Ireland), Date Night, Film Short
Ruaridh M. Turner (United Kingdom), The Beast In The Storm, Film Short (Student)
Sam W. McFadden (United Kingdom), Curanderismo, Documentary Short
Sara Eustáquio (Portugal), Mirror, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Sean Bloomfield (USA), Apparition Hill, Documentary Feature
Shaan Couture, WediaWix (USA), Thin Lines, Disability Issues
Spencer Bruttig (USA), El Pilar: Preserving The Maya Legacy, Documentary Short
Sumi Skellam (Australia), The Corridor, Documentary Short
Susan Downs (USA), The Big Secret, Health / Medicine / Science
Terry Leary and George Lewis (Nicaragua), Sierra Leone From War to Peace, Documentary Short, Women Filmmakers
Thomas Lüchinger (Switzerland), BEING THERE – DA SEIN, Documentary Feature
Tim Bridgewater (USA), Red – A Motion Comic Music Video with Action Figures, Experimental
Timothy Collins (USA), Blackout, Film Short (Student), Direction (Student), Editing (Student), Script / Writer (Student)
Tom Grady and Keith Oncale (USA), Symposium, Film Short
Tonia Pound (USA), Running Down the Music, Television – Pilot Program, Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays, Reality Programming
Tracy Lucca (USA), The Finders, Film Feature
Tracy Webb (USA), Mommy’s Home, Film Short (Student)
Zane Hauck (USA), Deadpan Revelations, Film Short
Zen Dhillon (Canada), Keeping Quiet, Film Short (Student)
Zesheng Gao (China), TRIO, Experimental (Student)
Award of Recognition
Adam Velez (USA), Cellophane, Film Short
AJ Scordio (USA), Long Island Lights (Video), Television – Pilot Program
Alberto Martín-Aragón (Spain), an anthropologist, Experimental
Amanda Barnes and David Speck (USA), The Duel, Film Short
Andy Galloway (USA), Gonzales: Come and Take It!, Film Short
Ann Huang (USA), Palpitations of Dust, Experimental
Anthony Donovan (USA), Good Thinking, Those Who’ve Tried to Halt Nuclear Weapons, Documentary Feature
Anthony Scibelli (USA), The Anthony Scibelli Web Series: “Dino-Warriors!”, Web Series
Ariel Sobel and Tao Mengdi (China), The Lost Tribe, Documentary Short (Student), Jewish (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Blair Socci and Farah Brook (USA), Ladies Mass Shooting Association Meeting, Web / Internet Programming, Women Filmmakers
Brian Woodford (Canada), Wanting, Film Short
Burt Chojnowski (USA), Tirthraj, Documentary Short
Carlos Roman (USA), Touching Yonder ep. Perfection, Actress: Leading (Sharon Carpenter-Rose as Psychiatrist), Web / Internet Programming
Caroline Buzanko and Brandon Watson (Canada), Still Waters, Actress: Leading (Caroline Buzankoas Carlie)
Chamsy Sarkis, Smart News Agency (Syria), Nobel’s Nightmare, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Cheska Bacaltos (USA), It’s Complicated, Web Series
Chris Laforet (USA), Healed by Horses, Documentary Short
Craig Bettendorf (USA), Treading Yesterday, Television – Program / Series
David Haines (USA), B.F.F., LGBT
Declan Mulvey (USA), The Heist, Film Short
DI Wu (China), Dusk, Animation (Student)
Didem Avkan Gultekin (Turkey), THE LOSS, Film Short
Dominik Galizia (Germany), Figaros Wolves, Experimental
Elyssa Gershman (USA), My Big Fat Lesbian Bat Mitzvah, LGBT (Student)
Era Waxer (USA), Tincture, LGBT
Ernesto M. Sandoval (USA), Fight or Flight, Disability Issues
Gabriela Maday (USA), Patrons, Web Series (Student)
Garrett Julian, Garrett Julian Productions, LLC (USA), Burning Man, Film Short
Group of Rogues (Canada), Plight: A Comic Book Rock Opera, Webisode
Gung-Kai Koo (USA), Equipoise, Animation (Student)
Hae Jun Jeon (USA), Exit Interview, Film Short (Student)
Hung Ju Huang (Taiwan), Advancing like a shadow, Documentary Feature
Jack Reilly (USA), Simone, Film Short (Student)
James Durham (USA), Thirst, Film Short
Jason Zink (USA), Straight Edge Kegger, Movie Trailer
Jeewon Shin (USA), Fair Trade Meets Peace Coffee, Documentary Short (Student)
Jim Rucquoi (USA), loop the lake, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Jonny Lewis (USA), G.I. Hospital, Animation
Jordan Work (USA), Julia, Christian (Student)
Kelly Schultz (USA), Lisa’s Hope, Documentary Short (Student)
Kenny Shedd (USA), Karma, Film Short
Kong Thao (USA), LIVEN, Film Short (Student)
Konie Kim (USA), Disappearance, Animation (Student)
Lark Buckingham (USA), Tattle-Tale Heart, Film Short (Student)
Layne Marie Williams (USA), DollFace, Women Filmmakers
Liliane de Kermadec (France), The cry of the ants, Documentary Feature
Liu Yan-ming (Taiwan), A Restaurant for the Wildlife, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Liz Taylor, Wild-Maple Films (Canada), Marital Aids, Actress: Leading (Liz Taylor as Christina), Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Louisa Adams (USA), Collision, Women Filmmakers
Luis Martinez (USA), Slap Worthy, Film Feature and Alien Story, Latin / Hispanic
Luke Van Mol (USA), Trial 47, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Cole Chilton (USA), A Well Read Woman, Film Short
Manny Rey (USA), Viking Zen, Documentary Short
Margie Kelk (Canada), Substratae, Animation
Maria Antonietta Romano (Italy), Miracle Works, Film Short
Mark Pressdee, Macoy Media (United Kingdom), The Final Scene, Actor: Leading (Mark Pressdee as Barry Bling), Actress: Leading (Carissa Wagner as Carissa Wagner), Experimental
Martin W. Payne and Grant Murphy (United Kingdom), Faith, Film Short
Massimo Bordonaro and Edward King III (USA), Caged, Actor: Leading (Trey McCurley as Chris Kline), Actress: Supporting (Karen Malina White as Karen Stevens), LGBT
Melissa Gardner (USA), They’re Watching Us, Children / Family Programming
Melissa Ridgeway (USA), Dancing Around The Subject, Documentary Short (Student)
Michael Robert Anderson (USA), The Colors Of Perception, Disability Issues
Michal Imielski (Australia), Dead Sunrise, Film Feature
Miguel Chavez (USA), The Voices They Hear, Film Short (Student)
Mitzi Kapture (USA), The Process, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Muna Deria (Canada), Muslim Writers’ Room, Islamic
Nick Moon (USA), Ticking Hearts, Film Short (Student)
Owen Alabado (USA), Dudes, Web Series
PACTV (Plymouth Area Community Access) (USA), People of the First Light – Thanksgiving: A Native Perspective, Documentary Short (Student)
Parnia Ayari (USA), Remember Me, Music Video
Payson R. Stevens (USA), Divine Spell, Experimental
Quinn Mulroy and Calvin Alley (USA), The Graveyard Shift, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Rachel Black (USA), Possibly Cursed, Film Short (Student)
Rae Kanoa (USA), El Botone, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Rafael Flores (USA), Amor for Alex, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Rafael Flores (USA), Immigration Turf, Latino
Rebecca Hardy (United Kingdom), DisPossess – Web Series, Web Series
Reni Walker and Jessica Maloney (Canada), Roomies, Film Short
Robert Lyons and Kevin Worth (USA), Little Princess Girl, Music Video
Roberto Sanchez (USA), Retribution, Movie Trailer
Samir Dash (India), Cleanliness Begins At ‘Home’, Actor: Leading (Student) (Abhinav Dash as 7 year old kid), Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Sara Walshe (Canada), Duck Soup, Animation (Student)
Sarah Scherer (Austria), Golden Shot, Women Filmmakers
Susan Downs (USA), The Big Secret, Documentary Feature, Documentary Program / Series
Takho Lee (Korea), Indie Music: Fighting Against the Stream, Documentary Short (Student)
Tanmay Shah (India), Pinch Of Salt, Documentary Short
Tiffany Toulze (USA), Surviving Woodlands, Documentary Short
Tim Carr (USA), The Other Ripken, Film Short
Tim Labonte and Frank Durant (USA), Who Did It? The Clue VCR Game, Documentary Short
Tristan McIntosh (Canada), Pillow Talk, Film Short
Tyna Ezenma (USA), Ghostwriter, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Urban Doe Productions (USA), VENDORS Web Series, Web Series
Vincent Chenzy Graziano (USA), Monday, Film Short (Student)
Violet Paley (USA), Chipped, Film Short
Vivian Zingleman and Jenny Kathryn Arasi, The University of Georgia (USA), Human Sexuality, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Will Scott (USA), The 27 Club, African American
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02.12.2016 | Editor's blog
Cat. : AWARDS