The biggest winners of this first year are Hammad Zaidi, Jonathan Nadeau and our Final Judges, Mark Bell, Valorie Stover Quarles, Kristine Lowe, and Bridget Johnson because we were gifted to the opportunity to read and watch such incredible work. Thank you to all of you for sharing your genius with us, and we look forward to seeing what you do next. So, without further ado, here are our 2018 winners!
Screenplay Festival Winner:
“Six Letter Word” by Lisanne Sartor
Honorable Mention:
“Red Shirt” by Mary C. Ferrara
“African Alien,” by Tatenda Mbudzi
Film Festival Winners:
Grand Prize
Zim High – Feature Film – (Zimbabwe – in English 1:24:00)
ZIM HIGH is a mockumentary filmed in Zimbabwe by Aboriginal Australian Exchange student Simon Kaantju (17), showing what it’s like to attend the harshest, most cruel, and most prestigious high school in Africa.Dir. Tatenda Mbudzi.
Best Feature Film:
In this incredible story based on true events, the mother and father are overwhelmed with emotion when their children are severely bullied in a public school, and the father wants his family to leave the Amish. The family struggles with raising a son born with an enigmatic mental disorder, as they are gripped by both fear and astonishment when they witness their son has unusual artistic abilities because the Amish religion teaches that any form of artistic expression is forbidden. “My Amish World” is a winner of 20+ film festival awards. Dir. Samuel Wickey.
Best International Feature:
Central Bloc – Feature Film (Switzerland 1:17:32)
Daniel Ruchat has just started work as a prison officer. P. B., charged with attempted murder, has been transferred to the small Lausanne prison Bois-Mermet. As days go by, both discover their new environment. And as their paths cross, the viewer is taken through the twists and turns of life inside the prison.
Best Documentary:
The Race – Documentary – (USA 10:02)
A young, idealistic Huntington’s Disease researcher comes face-to-face with three generations of a family devastated by the fatal, incurable disease she studies. For the scientist, who has never met anyone with Huntington’s Disease, the stakes of her research become real. For a Huntington’s Disease patient at the center of the story who is watching her mother sicken, fearing her own demise, and afraid for her two kids, it’s a mother’s plea – and a race against time. Dir. Dina Rudick.
Best Female Filmmaker
Light Me Up – by Miri Stone (USA 14:29)
“Light Me Up” is about a couple struggling to start a family. After yet another heartbreaking miscarriage, Ivy follows a sprite into a fantasy world to escape her pain. When presented with the choice to stay or return, she must find the hope and courage she needs to grieve with her husband and start again. Dir. Miri Stone.
Best Female Filmmaker – Honorable Mention
Path of Dreams – Short Film (USA 24:58)
In poetic Japan, Ono no Komachi, a beautiful poetess, strikes a tantalizing bargain with Shosho, a charming and eager suitor. If he comes to write poetry with her for 99 nights, she says they will have the possibility of creating a love more beautiful than poetry. Only on the 99th night, will she take him as her lover? Dir. Tamara Ruppart.
Best Female Filmmaker – Honorable Mention
Ripe Figs – Short Film (USA 8:34)
An adaptation of the short story by Kate Chopin, a young woman longs for a world beyond the limited one she lives in, under the wing of her godmother. Prod. & Writer Rachel Grissom.
Best Short Film
Three Courses – Short Film (USA 18:55)
A server with only one guest reservation for the evening struggles with a three-course meal. Dir. Noah Pitifer.
Best International Short Film
The Snag – Short Film (France 8:00)
When Camille meet Etienne, there is something more than usual. But she has a secret which will ruin everything between them: she has HIV. When she runs away and then he catches her, the complicity turned to a lack of understanding. Despite their shared desire, those two hearts will hurt each other. Dir. Isabelle Delasos.
Best International Short Film – Honorable Mention
Fhedi – (Egypt 10:56)
An eight-year-old boy who is constantly bullied at school finds a new definition of power when he is faced by a hard choice. Dir. Anne Abdalla.
Best Web Series
Waikiki PD – Web Series (USA 12:31)
Waikiki PD is a comedy where the police officers of Honolulu’s most under-funded department must solve crimes like senior citizen prostitution. Waikiki PD is shot in the style similar to The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Dir. Jeff Orig.
Best Web Series – Honorable Mention
Breakers: Saving Harper Ross – Web Series (USA 26:00)
Jack is reliving the same day over and over and seeks help from his Papaw and a skeptic therapist, but when they prove unhelpful and Jack seems to be doomed to stay forever imprisoned, he stumbles upon a murder and becomes convinced that he can prevent it before the day resets. Dir. Chason Laing.
Audience Award – Best Feature Film
In this incredible story based on true events, the mother and father are overwhelmed with emotion when their children are severely bullied in a public school, and the father wants his family to leave the Amish. The family struggles with raising a son born with an enigmatic mental disorder, as they are gripped by both fear and astonishment when they witness their son has unusual artistic abilities because the Amish religion teaches that any form of artistic expression is forbidden. “My Amish World” is a winner of 12 “Best Picture” awards. Dir. Samuel Wickey.
Audience Award – Best Documentary
The Stand: How One Gesture Shook the World (USA 108:20)
A revealing exploration into the circumstances that led Tommie Smith and John Carlos to take a stand at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games. Dirs. Tom Ratcliffe and Becky Paige.
Audience Award – Best Short Film
The Paper Boat (Australia 7:00)
A tech meltdown spurs disillusioned IT consultant Brook to recall her idyllic childhood. She must reconnect with her artistic self or face a monotonous life without passion or meaning. Featuring a live performance from “Strings on Fire.” Dir. Rachele Wildmare.
Audience Award – Best Web Series
Waikiki PD – Web Series (USA 12:31)
Waikiki PD is a comedy where the police officers of Honolulu’s most under-funded department must solve crimes like senior citizen prostitution. Waikiki PD is shot in the style similar to The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Dir. Jeff Orig.
