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 (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 (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 (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)
27.12.2022 | Best Shorts Competition's blog
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