The Best Shorts Competition Announces Latest Winners! June 2023

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Rick Prickett, Competition Director

858-779-9544

BestShorts.net

Info@BestShorts.net

The Best Shorts Competition Announces Latest Winners!

La Jolla, CA, June 2023 – 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 ~ 

John Sundvall (Sweden) – People Like Me Never Change

John Gustav Teodor Sundvall (Sweden), People Like Me Never Change (Såna som jag förändras aldrig) – Based on a true story. Back in prison, Didrik, 33, discovers a new way of expression and happiness through theatre and acting, and starts looking back at his past and upbringing with a sadistic mom and bullying peers. A raw, honest, unflinching look at the devastating effects of physical and psychological abuse on a child – and a life-long quest to ease the pain and find normalcy. Poignant, gripping performances from Didrik Hansevi Wasell (Vi andra som lider), Niki Lazarevic (The Sandhamm Murders), Disa Östrand (Lyckoviken, Känn ingen sorg, Arne Dahl) and talented young actor Baxter Renman (Sune, Tsunami, Bäckström).

~ Outstanding Achievement ~

Christian Debney (Australia) – STARSHIP

Christian Debney (Australia), STARSHIP, Animation – A deeply personal, visually extraordinary and truly exceptional animation. The story follows an astronaut as she travels into space to fulfill her father’s dreams, traversing compelling landscapes, futuristic scenes, a touch of nostalgia and special metaphors to a surprisingly emotional ending. The creative visuals are spectacular with beautiful lighting and effects. Created with V-Ray, Phoenix, and Chaos Cloud – director Debney delivers a gold-standard in animated story telling.

Paulette Randall MBE (United Kingdom) – Tell Me You Love Me

Paulette Randall MBE (United Kingdom), Tell Me You Love Me, Film Short – BAFTA-nominee Randall’s deft direction brings to life a poignant, moving and ultimately tragic tale of love and loss and the horrors of domestic violence. Based on a true story – it centers around a rooftop party for two, a brother & sister celebrating their love. She has escaped from a violent husband but her scars run deep. She makes the ultimate choice. With palpable chemistry, achingly authentic and pitch-perfect performances by talented actors Tamzin Outhwaite, (EastEnders, Death in Paradise, Ridley Road) and Danny Bayne (The Peripheral (Netflix), Hollyoaks, Grease is the Word- Winner- BBC)

Zoltán Vámos (Hungary) – The Dust of Diamond Highways

Zoltán Vámos (Hungary), The Dust of Diamond Highways, (A gyémánt út pora ), Disability Issues – A beautifully moving film about the rare moments in life, when we can open up to others with total honesty. A tender, poignant look at love, the nature of relationships and regrets. A young doctor, questioning his own relationship with his partner and his guilt over his own mother – finds deep meaning and transformation through his connection to his patient Madame Vilma and her secrets never shared. Touching performances by Éva Vári (Életképek, Evita) and Ákos Orosz (Son of Saul, Eternal Winter)

~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~

Dwayne Cameron (New Zealand), June, Film Short – A couple’s emotional despair for their sick baby and the transcendent occurrence that offers them hope. Deft direction and utterly gripping performances. Dwayne Cameron (McLaren), Sarah James (Holding the Sun), John Callen (The Hobbit) lush cinematography Adam Clark (Lord of the Rings,) exceptional effects Emmy-Nominated Charlie Tait (Guardians of the Galaxy).

Aaron Joshua Weintraub (Iraq), Scraps, Doc Short – Weintraub’s deft direction and journalistic integrity deliver a haunting doc about Mosul, a city destroyed by ISIS. Creatively telling the story through the lives of young orphans forced to make a living for themselves and their families through dangerous scrap collection. With no opportunity for education their fate has come to define their future.  Poignant, impactful and heart-breaking.

Kurt Norton (USA), The Broken Promise, Doc Short – A beautifully crafted doc that delivers a truly chilling message through cautionary tales about how societies create and support genocide and dehumanizing others. Potent interviews illuminate how authoritarians and big business are complicit in this horror – and illustrates ways we can overcome authoritarians, defend ourselves against genocide — and ensure that “never again” is now.

Daniele De Muro (Italy), Horizon, Film Short – A disturbing dystopian future inhabited by climate refugees looking for safety amidst a bleak reality where the law of the strongest and violence rules the world. A heart-broken hero gives himself to save a terrified mother and child. A talented cast brings to life horrors, heroes and ultimately hope. Stars: Chiara Lai, Viola Scuderi, Carlo Porru.

Autumn Libengood and Luke Flowers/Awaken the Dream Productions (USA), Life After, Film Short – A priest unable to escape the shame. A pastor haunted by her memories. The trauma of their past explodes as they share their stories and pain with each other. Stars Abigail Mullins (The Shade Shepherd), Darren Lee Cupp (Haven), and a truly gut-wrenching performance by Jordan Mullins (Permission).

Maggie May Brummer (USA), Bear Hugs, Animation (Student) – A teddy bear goes through a small city in pursuit of giving a hug to a lonely girl while overcoming the holiday hustle-bustle. The thought of the lonely girl during Christmas leads Teddy to push through the obstacles in hopes of getting to his destination. Beautiful animation craft and palpable emotion make this an exceptional and standout senior thesis project.

Aaron Kim, Jimin Park and Yates Park (Korea), Masked Depression, 17 and younger – With wisdom and insights beyond their years – these talented young filmmakers creatively deliver a film bringing awareness to teenage struggles with depression and the journey to recovery. Well researched information, creative use of the Mask metaphor and proficient filmmaking craft..

Hailey Bair (USA), Dog Days, Animation (Student) – An 8-year old Max wishes for a puppy and a magical puff of smoke brings a balloon dog to life instead. Though at first hesitant, Max soon learns to love and accept his new pet, endearingly naming him Squeaky and experiences the ups and downs of having a balloon dog for a pet.  Beautifully animated with emotional nuances. A stellar thesis project.

Aleksei Alferov (Russia), Oregano, Film Short – A young man resorts to crime- stealing from a sweet lonely old lady looking for a friend. Soon he meets and marries a new love and discovers at his wedding the truth of who the old lady is, which shocks him at the most solemn moment of his life. A heart-wrenching tale with a breakout performance from veteran actress Lyudmila Porgina. Stars Vitaly Ryabov, Yury Goodwin, Alice Lozovskaya. 

 ~ Award of Excellence ~ 

Alejandra Gabriella Cintrón Rivera (USA), Real Beauty, Commercial / Infomercial (Student), Latin / Hispanic (Student)
Aleksei Alferov (Russia), Oregano, Direction
Alexander Devyatchenko Soldak (France), WE BELIEVE IN LOVE, Web Tube Length Video
Alexandra Bree Carson (USA), My Friend, David, Disability Issues (Student)
Amanda Gecewicz (USA), The 22, Script / Writer
Amine Harboul, IE University (South Africa), Zambezia: A Well for Change, Documentary Short (Student), Editing (Student)
Anne-Sophie Bailly (France), The Midwife, Direction
Autumn Libengood and Luke Flowers/Awaken the Dream Productions (USA), Life After, Christian
Bernhard Østebø (Norway), Noen, Film Short
Brian Hall (USA), Plastic Problem PSA, Public Service Programming / PSA
Bruno Cabanis (France), The Appartment, Script / Writer (Bruno Cabanis)
Chris Vinan (USA), Still Hunting, Actor: Leading (John Henry Richardson as Richard)
Dmitrii Brazhenko (Canada), Screen Time, Animation (Student)
Dusty Noval (USA), Last Girls’ Trip Short Film, Ensemble Cast
Dwayne Cameron (New Zealand), JUNE, Actor: Leading (Dwayne Cameron as David), Direction, Editing (Dwayne Cameron and Peter Roberts), Experimental, Script / Writer (Dwayne Cameron), Cinematography (Adam Clark), Special Effects: Animation, Original Score (Composed by Karl Steven)
Erin Elizabeth (USA), No Air for Angels, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Imre Mazlo (Hungary), Ten out of the Ten, Film Short, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Jared Gagnon-Palick (USA), Live To Farm, Direction, Documentary Short, Editing, Reality Programming, Television – Pilot Program, Television – Program Series, Web / Internet Programming, Webisode, Web Series, Web Tube Length Video
Jeff Young (United Kingdom), True Places Never Are, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
John Gustav Teodor Sundvall (Sweden), People Like Me Never Change, Direction
Julia Zanin de Paula, Retter Entertainment (USA), 8 Flies, Television – Pilot Program
Kat Dubrow (USA), Return, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Kathleen Cecchin USA), Sick Money, African American, Actor: Leading (Oscar Jordan as Lorenzo Savage)
Lewie Bartone (USA), Math Whizz, Film Short
Lola Dubettier and Romain Perset (France), OKMO, Children / Family Programming, Film Short, Cinematography
Lynn H. Elliott (USA), My Town, Script / Writer (Lynn H. Elliott)
Marie Côté (Canada), Inuk360, Native Peoples
Matthew Taylor (USA), Invisible Hand, Experimental
Mike Rae Anderson (USA), In The Matchbox, Actor: Leading (Hawthorne James as Uncle Wendell), African American, Film Short, Ensemble Cast
Paul Huenemann (USA), Day_01_Mars, Animation
Pauley Perrette (USA), Red Ribbons of Love, Documentary Short, LGBTQ+
Rik Langan (United Kingdom), The Wait, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Alexander Butler as Percy)
Robbie Robertson (USA), COMMON AS RED HAIR, Actress: Leading (Kassie DePaiva as Carol Blackard)
Robin Fisher (United Kingdom), The Halcyon Days, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)
Sam Slovick (USA), Enter the Temple, Documentary Short
Sean Famoso and Dennis Williams (USA), Demanded Supply, African American, Film Short
Steven Lundgren (USA), Fog of War, Direction
Will Sims (USA), Cotton’s Sack, African American
Yannick Borit (Myanmar), What if Schools Taught Us to Love, Documentary Short, Original Score (Composed by Bruno Dalo and Pierre Djordjian)
Yifan Zhang (China), Millenium Project, Children / Family Programming  (Student)
Zsolt Répási (Hungary), Deeplight, Actress: Leading (Vivianne Banovits as Lea)

 ~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~

4 A Films (USA), Five Questions, Actress: Leading (Amber Paul as Jill)
Atul Ravindra Joshi (USA), GUISE, Film Short
Bradley Hawkins (USA), Night Voices, Actor: Leading (Gorman Ruggiero as Jude Wilcox)
Collin Nelson (USA), The Last Liftoff, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Drew Alexa Naiburg-Smith and Paco Prio (USA), Wait, Script / Writer (Student)
Emma Rhett (USA), The Revolution of the Heart, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Farzam Salami (USA), Two Little Fish, Actress: Leading (Desiree Coleman Jackson as Jenny), Film Short, Direction
Francesco Brunotti (USA), Adventures Of Samurai Bron, Animation, Film Short
Goran Zaneti and Matthieu Brajot (USA), Developing Our Future, Documentary Short, Educational / Instructional / Training
John Andrew Quartaro (USA), Enter the Green Abyss, Direction, Experimental
Jon Paul (USA), Dojo, Movie Trailer
Kain Baigent and Stig Wemyss (Australia), A Piece of Work is Man, Ensemble Cast
Katie Garibaldi (USA), This and That, Original Song (Dear Universe, written and performed by Katie Garibaldi)
Kelly Siu (Hong Kong), Find My Way, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Laura Ellen Di Trapani (USA), Exquisite Corpse, Film Short
Linda Kudzmas (USA), Misfortune, Animation, Narration / Voice-Over Talent (Meg Arbo as Narrator)
Michael J. Garcia (USA), STILL, Film Short, Cinematography
Nawal Kaffouf (France), ARTHON, Women Filmmakers
Ryan Paul Buck and Cyndee K. Buck (USA), God Our Refuge Documentary and Virtual Art Exhibit, Christian
Sean Famoso and Dennis Williams (USA), Demanded Supply, Direction
Tiffany Lin (USA), Foreign Planetary, Actress: Leading (Chelsea Sik as Angie)
Yeimy Daza (Canada), BEACH, Women Filmmakers
Yuri Riklis (Israel), Ave Gradiva, Film Short, Creativity / Originality

~ Award of Merit ~

4 A Films (USA), Five Questions, Film Short, Ensemble Cast (Kiera Allen, David Arrow, Andrew Arrow, Joyia D. Bradley, Donna Lynne Champlin, Elijah Guo, Amber Paul, Tom Alan Robbins and Eliza Simone), Direction (David Arrow), Editing (Joseph Huba)
A.P. Gonzalez (USA), George & Dorothy, Direction, Film Short, Script / Writer, Actress: Leading (Tina D’Marco as Dorothy)
Afsaneh Aghanezhad and Vali Bagheri (Iran), For Child Never Born, Women Filmmakers
Alex Astrella (USA), Unbreakable, Documentary Short
Alexandr Bochko (Ukraine), UNNOTICEABLE, Documentary Short
Andreina Sanoja (Canada), I Love You, Film Short (Student)
Andrey Gil (Ukraine), Lullaby for the Cat, Film Short
Annika Puri (USA), Resilience: Ukraine Crisis, Documentary Short (Student)
Ari Grabb (USA), Bento Banana 1-4, Animation, Web Series
Ashton K. Bracciodieta (USA), Stringout, Film Short
Austin Shopinski (USA), An Error Has Occurred, Editing (Student)
Bill Walker (USA), Whiskey Mountain Days—Proof of Concept, Film Short
Bo Tanas (Canada), The Return, Film Short
Bradley Hawkins (USA), Night Voices, Christian, Direction, Film Short, Script / Writer (Bradley Hawkins and Peter Fenton), Editing (Caleb Tyson)
Brody Bowman (USA), The Love Dunce, Film Short (Student)
Chientung Chung (Taiwan), Purple Crow Butterfly Highway, Documentary Short, Nature / Environment / Wildlife, Public Service Programming / PSA
Christopher Plant (USA), Recollections: Val Shively & 50 Years of Collecting Records in Philadelphia, Documentary Short
Crystal Thomas (USA), Belly Encounters, Women Filmmakers
Daniel Stephen (USA), Lyric Video – People Get Ready For Your Lord, Music Video, Animation
Daniel Stephen (USA), Music Video – How Far is Heaven, Music Video (Student), Editing (Student)
Danna Gilbertson and Jocelyn Rose Sanchez (USA), The Girl Next Door, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Darryl M. Haase (USA), HOLLYWOOD’S PASTOR: The H.K. Rasbach Story, Christian
Dino Muccio (USA), The Whisper of Cape Fear Island, Script / Writer
Don Aoki (USA), Pioneers of Rock Springs, History / Biographical
Drew Alexa Naiburg-Smith and Paco Prio (USA), Wait, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Eduard Nechmohlod (Ukraine), Captain Brovary, Direction (Student)
Flavio Cammerano (Italy), I Custodi del Tempo inseguendo il sogno di Icaro, Documentary Short
Goran Zaneti and Matthieu Brajot (USA), Developing Our Future, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Gordy De St Jeor (USA), Bodysuit, Actress: Leading (Jillian Moray as Anna), Film Short
Havva Okutan (Turkey), THE TINSMITH, Documentary Short (Student)
Ines Wallisch (USA), Memento Mori, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
James F. Darfus (USA), Birth of the Song, Documentary Short
James Grim (USA), Have You Found The Bodies?, Movie Trailer
Jannika Jira (Germany), Becoming People, Film Short
Jenifer L. Yeuroukis (USA), Kizy & Me, Documentary Short
Joey Min (USA), Rumble Riot, Actor: Leading (Nathan Porter as Good Guy), Film Short, Webisode, Web Tube Length Video
John Andrew Quartaro (USA), Enter the Green Abyss, Film Short
Jon Paul (USA), Dojo, Film Short
Jordan Coolbear (United Kingdom), Man Made, Actor: Leading (Richard Cambridge as Will)
Julian Jay Burton (USA), Bermuda City Web-series – Episode 6, Web Series
Justin MacFayden (USA), Share The Influence, Documentary Short
Justin Tang and Rishabh Trivedi (USA), Better Together, Asian (Student), Film Short (Student), Cinematography (Student)
Jyoti Madnani Singh (India), I Am Not Down, Children / Family Programming
Kalina Lukanova (Bulgaria), Bird, Film Short (Student)
Katie Garibaldi (USA), This and That, Film Short
L. E. Coleman (USA), She’s Too Young, Script / Writer, African American
Lexi Johnson (USA), They Took Jacob, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Lexi Johnson as Ellie), Actor: Leading (Alex Goransson as Turner)
Logan Wood (USA), Finger Lickin’ Good, Animation (Student)
Marcus Rando (USA), Royals of Rosedale, Ensemble Cast, Podcast: Episode
Matt Bolin (Australia), The Adventures of Wolfdogg and Red Ridinghood, Animation, Creativity / Originality
Mia Aston (USA), Bitchin’, Film Short (Student)
Michael Joiner (USA), Rubber Bullets, Actor: Leading (Jermi Little as Jeremy), Actor: Supporting (Chad Ayers as Marco), Film Short, Direction
Monica Sofia Liendo (Canada), Engagement Foundation, Public Service Programming / PSA (Student)
Olabisi Kovabel (USA), Decamp, Christian, Ensemble Cast (Olabisi Kovabel and Sean Topps), Film Short, LGBTQ+
Özgür Yaşaroğlu (Turkey), A THOUSAND YEARS YET ALL  A NIGHT, Experimental
Peter Hartwig (Australia), Pump it, Film Short
Randy Michael Stoudt (USA), Woven, Documentary Short
Regina González (USA), EMBER ALERT, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest (Student), Latin / Hispanic (Student)
Richie Yeager, Prague Film School (Czech Republic), April Showers, Film Short (Student)
Rick Walker (USA), To all the Gabbys in the World, Music Video, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Original Song (Written by Darla Zuhdi)
Rob McLean (Canada), True Stories With Titles – Episode 1 Space, Television – Pilot Program
Robbie Robertson (USA), COMMON AS RED HAIR, LGBTQ+
Robert Denfeld (USA), California Light, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Romina De La Puente (USA), Alphabet Soup, Film Short (Student), Actor: Leading (Student) (John Ververis as George)
Ryan Adolph and Alex J Greenberg (USA), The Director, Film Short (Student)
Shira Green (Israel), WHO IS LIKE YOU, Documentary Short, Jewish, Religion / Ethics
Sicheng Yang (China), Naked Dreams in My Youth, Asian (Student)
Stephan Wolfgang Böker (USA), Trilogy: It’s In the Heart, Documentary Short, Tourism / Travel
Tova Hopemark (USA), Alright, Robot, Actress: Leading (Tova Hopemark as Jessica)
Vanessa Ozinger (USA), Behind the Curtain, Experimental, Actress: Leading (Vanessa Ozinger as Kate)
Vicente Alvarado Ponce (Japan), Made Righteous, Christian, Documentary Short
Virgo Velasquez, Karen Tusa and Melva McLean (Canada), A Birthday Tale, Film Short, Ensemble Cast
Vitaliy Perunov (USA), Tales of the Boiling River, Documentary Short
Will Sims (USA), Journey of the Tru-Spot, Movie Trailer
Yogi Chavada (USA), My Brother Charlie, Cinematography
Zachary Dover (USA), The Beneficiary, Animation, Narration / Voice-Over Talent
Zsolt Répási (Hungary), Deeplight, Experimental

~ Award of Recognition ~

Adam Wade Brown (Australia), FUTUREMAN, Music Video
Alycia Cooper (USA), Trade, African American
Andreina Sanoja (Canada), I Love You, Cinematography (Student) (Talon Boggess)
Anne Eva Isaksson (United Kingdom), Breathless, Experimental
Anton Wong (Hong Kong), Divergence Convergence Vol 1, Asian
Armyn Naderi (Iran), A Borrowed Life, Film Short
Austin Shopinski (USA), An Error Has Occurred, Film Short (Student)
Bianca Sass (USA), Distance (The Further Mix), Music Video (Student), Original Song (Composed and performed by Beth Sass)
Bradley Hawkins (USA), Night Voices, Actor: Supporting (Jack Packer as Hunter)
Brody Bowman (USA), The Love Dunce, Art Direction (Student)
Bryanny (Canada), Gender Reveal, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Cesar Jaime (USA), Good Hombres, Latin / Hispanic
CJ Ousley (USA), Hail to the King, Actor: Leading (CJ Ousley as Mac), Film Short
Cory White (USA), Master and Apprentice, Documentary Short
Danna Gilbertson and Jocelyn Rose Sanchez (USA), The Girl Next Door, Actress: Leading (Student) (Jocelyn Sanchez as Alexis)
Darryl M. Haase (USA), HOLLYWOOD’S PASTOR: The H.K. Rasbach Story, Documentary Short, Religion / Ethics, Editing
Dasha Bough (USA), Now I Am Old and Do Not Need the Moon, Documentary Short (Student)
Derek Galon (Dominica), Secrets of the Caribbean: Story of the Nature Isle, Dominica, Native Peoples, Tourism / Travel
Diana M. Devlin and Grace Zinnel (USA), American Nightmare/American Dream, Documentary Short, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Don Aoki (USA), Pioneers of Rock Springs, Documentary Short
Ethan Sutton (USA), The Wealthy Wall, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Francesca Brice-Martin (USA), La Rupture, Direction
Gus Allen (USA), The Portrait of Laura, Film Short
Hannah Bonecutter and Jennifer Pierce (USA), World of Diamonds, Experimental, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Actress: Leading (Hannah Bonecutter)
Hannah Westbrook, Kym Franklin, Willa Moore and Darren Crisp (USA), Walk With Us, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Music Video
Harry Waldman (USA), In the Backseat, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Ryan Keem as John)
Jacob Thompson (USA), Vultures, Film Short (Student)
Jamelah Fain (USA), Changing Perception: The Langdon Park Forest Patch, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)
Jane Fleiss (USA), Escape, Actress: Leading (Ye Zhong as Fay)
Jasmine Banks, Justin Osby, Allison Fail, Cameron Davis, Adam Lorraine Productions and We Rule Media (USA), YOU Are My Reason, Disability Issues, LGBTQ+
Jeff Lukeski (USA), Your Uptown Hoya, Actor: Leading (Jeff Lukeski as Jean Paulo)
Jeffrey Dallet (USA), LA Times, Script / Writer (Jeffrey Dallet)
Joe Garcia (USA), Retrospection, Film Short (Student), Original Song (Student) (Fatal Inhibition,Words and Lyrics by Blair Johnson, Music by Joe Garcia, Performed by Julian Watson)
Jon Gillette (USA), The Hitman’s Apprentice – Chapter 2, Film Short
Keanu Cordero, Alexandria Fain and Emilio ‘T Dot Ace’ Garcia, Blue Lace Productions (USA), The Worst, Film Short
Laurie Vines (USA), Picnic With Me?, Christian
Lee Steinbeck (USA), A Most Annoying Man, Actor: Leading (Tim Snoha as Emery Dodd), Film Short
Liam Wan Lui Martin and Fiona Stirling Lui Martin (USA), Cry of the Yellow Moon, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Lillian Carter (USA), WOMAN, Experimental
Logan Wood (USA), Finger Lickin’ Good, Humor / Humorist (Student)
Lucas Alexander Zarro (USA), Eternal Return, Music Video
Matthew Toffolo (USA), Fahrenheit 3000, Experimental
Max Carmona (USA), The Cave, Actor: Leading (Kaushal Patel as Orson), Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Melody Brooke (USA), 15, Film Short
Neill B. Barry (USA), George & Marcus, Direction, Disability Issues, Actor: Leading (Pancho Moler as George)
Onel Mulet (USA), Roman Díaz, Como El Agua (Like Water), Documentary Short, Latin / Hispanic
Peter Davison (Australia), Glad, Documentary Short
Rakesh Sidana (Canada), Min’s Tale, LGBTQ+
Ray Thompson and Katharine Branham (USA), A Twisted Path, Film Short, Movie Trailer
Rictor Riolo (USA), Mangia!, Film Short (Student)
Roberta Pyzel (USA), PHYLLIS, Actress: Leading (Margaret Kennedy as Phyllis)
Sabrina Dubner (USA), Medical Adherence, Film Short (Student)
Sabrina Dubner (USA), The Deal of The Century, Film Short (Student)
Sam Sasin, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh Radio TV Film Department (USA), Connection, Film Short (Student)
Sarah Lovett and Christina Monaco (USA), Etc: Every High School Movie Ever, Film Short, Web Series
Shihyun Wang (Austria), Dysability, Disability Issues
Shogo Hashimoto (Japan), SUMIYAKI- Please Keep the Fire of Charcoal Burning Eternally, Documentary Short
Siham Kortas (Canada), Fairy Fingers (Doigts de fée), Documentary Short
Sogol Khoshghadam (Iran), Daddy’s Swimsuit, Women Filmmakers
Steven Wan (Australia), I Dared to Dream, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Tova Hopemark (USA), Alright, Robot, Script / Writer (Tova Hopemark)
Vanessa Ozinger (USA), Behind the Curtain, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Creativity / Originality
Yogi Chavada (USA), My Brother Charlie, Disability Issues, Documentary Short
Zhifan Zhang (China), HELLO, MOM, Asian