WINNERS

MONTH OF DECEMBER

The Artist

In 2017, I interviewed 8 artists, who had moved to Kyiv at some point in their lives and created there. Through conversations with those who significantly influenced the formation of my worldview and attitude towards art, I attempted to reveal the character of each of them, hoping that their stories would help you better understand yourself as artists, just like they once helped me.
These are people of various professions and callings, from music and sound engineering to calligraphy and design, but they are united by one thing — a sincere passion for their craft. You will witness the process of recording an orchestra with the keyboardist of the band "Okean Elzy," Milos Jelic, for the film soundtrack, get a glimpse behind the scenes of creative work in Olexander Mikula's workshop, see the process of creating an alphabet with Vasyl Chebanyk, the mosaic work with Viktoriia Lopukhina, and the calligraphy teaching with Vitalina Lopukhina. You will also get to see the creative process behind the songs of the band "O.Torvald" with Jenia Galich, the sound recording process with Oleksii Kryvosheiiev, and the music production with Kyrylo Matyushenko in the studio. The stories intertwine and form a collective portrait that helps to understand what it means to be a passionate artist dedicated to the craft.

Best Documentary (Over 40min) - Mykyta Puchkov

All For You

A career-driven daughter and her resolute mother clash over conflicting priorities and learn how far they're willing to go for the sake of love.

All for You" is a heartfelt story that revolves around Cassie Jackson, a successful lawyer, and her mother, Darlene. Cassie is on the brink of a major promotion, but her concerns for her mother's health and independence weigh heavily on her. Darlene, despite her health issues, is adamant about staying in her home.

The screenplay delves into the emotional complexities of caregiving, family bonds, and the struggle between personal ambitions and familial responsibilities. As Darlene's health deteriorates, Cassie is torn between her career aspirations and her commitment to caring for her mother.

The story takes a poignant turn when Darlene surprises Cassie by deciding to move in with her, defying expectations and bringing joy to her daughter's heart.

The screenplay beautifully captures the deep love and sacrifices made within a family, exploring themes of aging, independence, and the enduring strength of familial bonds.

Best Film(Under 40min) Directed by Dawn Reavis

Splitting Image

An inspirational story about a son following the positive image of his father

Best Short Film on African Americans, natives & visible minorities(Under 40 min) -Directed by David A. Walker

Athletic Withdrawal

After suffering a career-ending injury, a high-school tennis prodigy spirals into a deep depression associated with losing his sport and identity, and starts considering suicide.

Best Director(Under 40min) - Matt Dionne

Egypt Affair

A rejected husband. A beautiful stranger. A dangerous liaison.
For two couples enjoying a spectacular Egyptian adventure,
treachery and deception cruise the Nile along with them.

This 83-minute adventure-thriller involving love, deception, betrayal and redemption was recently filmed on-location and features breathtaking panoramic views of desert Egypt and the Egypt of the pharaohs. AN EGYPT AFFAIR unfolds on an exotic riverboat cruising up the great Nile River between Luxor and Aswan.

Best Film(Over 40 min) - Directed by Marlin Darrah

Outside The Box

Xing, a young artist struggles to balance his passion for art with the expectations imposed on him by his single mother. Personal aspirations and family are put into question when despite her disapproval, Xing participates in an art contest in an attempt to change his mother’s mind.

Best Actress(Under 40min) - Grace Gao

Be Water, My Friend

Be Water, My Friend is a satire that follows Zhiyi, a first-generation Chinese immigrant struggling to find his way in America.

Best Cinematography(Under 40min) - Qianyu David Zhang

Bake It Till You Make It

Dayna Altman let's the world into her recovery process and how she found baking to be her best conversation starter. Now she has started a movement to live authentically, speak openly and bake bravely and influenced and inspired many lives by doing so.

Special Jury Award - Jason Taglieri

Corporate Retreat

Three potential candidates to become CEO of a questionable corporation are sent out to the middle of nowhere for a “corporate retreat”. The three are faced with a decision to band together or play the company’s game and face off against each other until only one remains. The person who is the last one standing will move forward to becoming the next CEO.

Best Producer (Under 40min) - Eden Kannistan
Best Emerging Filmmaker - Phillip Hassman

Antisocial

Anat, 39, is a social worker who's been roped into the annual Welfare Office getaway. Great timing—it clashes with her ongoing divorce that hijacked her social life, handing it over to her ex. The trip, hyped up to be the ultimate bonding experience, feels more like a parade of awkwardness for Anat. She’s mentally checked out, counting down to escape, until she lands next to Meirav. Meirav, 41, a social worker from another department.
As the trip lurches on, filled with cringe-worthy interactions Anat finds herself actually, dare we say, enjoying Meirav’s company. Anat remembers what it’s like to click with someone new. Who knew? Maybe there's life after divorce, even if it starts on a bus trip nobody wanted to go on. isn’t just a story about Anat's hunt for a new pal amid divorce drama—it’s about the enduring spark new friendships can ignite, proving we're all just big kids at summer camp inside, searching for that 'best friend' feeling, no matter our age.

Best Emerging Filmmaker(Under 40min) - Ori Chaya Klier

#WHITEHAIRDONTCARE

#WHITEHAIRDONTCARE is a documentary film that looks into how a very personal decision a woman makes to accept her own aging process can cause ripples in the world around her, pressuring her to follow a set of societal standards that don’t really benefit her. It’s a small glimpse into the unfortunate reality for so many women who don't want to fit the mold society has made based on physically and mentally unhealthy beauty standards.

Much of the inspiration for this short film is drawn from a 100 day focus group that was conducted on TikTok, to better understand how people, especially young people, view aging in this day and age. More specifically, the research was based on showcasing a woman embracing her aging hair to see how people would react to seeing someone blatantly go against traditional beauty standards that obsess over eternal and flawless youth. #WHITEHAIRDONTCARE brings to life the experiences & fears about aging that are part of many women’s daily existence.

Best Documentary Film (Under 40min) -Directed by Aishah Iqbal

The Order of the Spoon

A rare and exclusive look into the terrifying world of the "Order of the Spoon", one of the nation's most infamous and dangerous crime syndicates.

Honorable mention

10 Days of Nakota

fter learning the Cree language in 10 days. Wahbi continued his adventure to learn another indigenous language.
For 10 days, he travelled all over Sasktachewan to discover new things about the Nakota language. He went to several first nations communities where he met numerous people who told him about Nakota culture as well as the language. He met chiefs of various nations and knowledge keepers during his journey.
Meanwhile, he met a 10 years old girl named Crocus, who helped him learn the Nakota language. Crocus is an enthusiastic kid and work with great devotion.

Best Director (Documentary under 40min ) - Wahbi Zarry