THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2025 FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS FOLLOWS:
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Most Powerful Human on Earth” | directed by Andrew Richardson | United Kingdom | 2025.
Jury Statement:
This year’s jury agreed unanimously that this film was wonderfully and perfectly executed. From its score, and costume and production design, to casting and its finely tuned performances, played with subtle nuance and dead-on comic timing. And a script that kept you wondering—and laughing. This year’s Grand Prize goes to “The Most Powerful Human on Earth,” directed by Andrew Richardson.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Seaforth” | directed by John Murdo MacAulay | United Kingdom | 2025.
Jury Statement:
In an epic yet intimate Scottish tale, visually stunning, and emotionally intriguing—so excellently executed by the filmmakers, the jury awards the RIIFF 2025 1st Prize to “Seaforth,” directed by John Murdo MacAulay.
BEST EDITING
“A Sisyphean Task” | directed by Gus Flind-Henry, George Malcher | United Kingdom | 2025.
Jury Statement:
This might have been another familiar story about a young teacher who must win over her students. But the filmmakers’ approach is so boldly innovative, it becomes a fresh story, told in a way we’ve never seen told before. This is a 17-minute masterclass in visual storytelling. The jury awards a special prize in film editing to Paco Sweetman, for ‘A Sisyphean Task’.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Ne Me Quitte Pas” | directed by Karim Huu Do | Spain.
Jury Statement:
Special Jury Prize for Cinematography for the stunning visual storytelling that perfectly utilizes both B&W and color imagery to push the story forward depicting waking dreams, love, comradery and betrayal. The film is “Ne Me Quitte Pas” directed by Karim Huu Do.
BEST PERFORMANCE
“Amarela” | directed by André Hayato Saito | Brazil.
Jury Statement:
Melissa Uehara delivers an emotionally nuanced performance beyond her years, as Erika, a Japanese-Brazilian teenager struggling to find her identity and belonging in a community, which sees her as an “exotic” outsider. With almost no dialogue, only her face and body language, Melissa Uehara is able to lay bare her character’s devastating isolation. It is gut-wrenching. Her performance invites the audience into Erika’s inner world and shares a full spectrum of her emotions from childhood joy and empathy to pain and longing.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION
GRAND PRIZE:
“Ovary-Acting” | directed by Ida Melum | Norway | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Pillowzzz” | directed by Mosh (Animoshe) Benavram Akal | Israel | 2025.
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE:
“Voices From the Abyss” | directed by Irving Serrano and Victor Rejón | Mexico | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Last Days on Lake Trinity” | directed by Charlotte Cooley | United States | 2024.
BEST FEATURE
GRAND PRIZE:
“I’ve Seen All I Need To See” | directed by Zeshaan Younus | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“DREAM!” | directed by Paul Spurrier | Thailand | 2024.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE:
“Good Shot” | directed by Joris Debeij | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Parting the Waters” | directed by Michele Kuvin Kupfer, Marc Levy, Marc Salomon | United States | 2025.
ROBERT ADRICH FILMMAKER AWARD
Presented to a visionary filmmaker from Rhode Island whose work inspires and bolsters the industry on both a local and national level
Tom DeNucci, director of “The Roaring Game” | United States | 2025.
BEST COMEDY FEATURE
GRAND PRIZE:
“Pools” | directed Sam Hayes | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“A Farwell to Youth” | directed by Adam Jack | Canada | 2025.
BEST COMEDY SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“Cake” | directed by Caro Ribeiro | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Trophy King” | directed by Tighe Boudreaux Kellner | United States, 2025.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
GRAND PRIZE:
“Teach us how to fly” | directed by Liliya Syvytska | Ukraine | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Luma” | directed by Rachel Albert | Italy | 2025.
BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
GRAND PRIZE:
KÜI | directed by Kahu Kaiha | New Zealand | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
Kusi Smiles | directed by Sisa Quispe | Peru | 2025
BEST DIRECTOR – FEATURE FILM
GRAND PRIZE:
Daniel Bogran, director of “The Killing Moon” | United States | 2025.
BEST DIRECTOR – SHORT FILM
GRAND PRIZE:
Lilly Zhuang, director of “HERE” | United Kingdom | 2024.
THE MARLYN MASON AWARD
New voices, new perspectives by women in film
GRAND PRIZE:
“How I Learned to Die” | directed by Manya Glassman | United States | 2025.
HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS AWARD
Celebrating Films that Reflect the Jewish Experience
GRAND PRIZE:
“In search of Eva Freud” | directed by Isabelle Sieurin, Arthur Quaranta | France | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Say as I Say” | directed by Daniel Solé | United States | 2025.
BEST SCREENPLAY
GRAND PRIZE:
“Last Day in Sofia” | directed by Denis Spiridonov | France, Bulgaria | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Truck” | directed by Elizabeth Rao | United States | 2024.
NEW ENGLAND FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Presented annually to a New England director whose work brings cinematic excellence to an international audience
GRAND PRIZE:
“Small Potatoes” | directed by Rich Allen | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“My Kind of People” | directed by Joe Picozzi | United States | 2025.
BEST ACTOR
GRAND PRIZE:
Justin Russo, for his role in “My Kind of People” directed by Joe Picozzi, 2025
BEST ACTRESS
GRAND PRIZE:
Odessa A’zion, for her role in “Pools” directed by Sam Hayes, 2025.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (SHORT)
GRAND PRIZE:
“A Thing About Kashem” | directed by Bijon Imtiaz | Bangladesh | 2025.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (DOCUMENTARY)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Tomorrow’s Too Late” | directed by Terry Loane | United Kingdom | 2025.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (FEATURE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Starwalker” | directed by Corey Payette | Canada | 2025.
BEST CHILDREN’S ANIMATED FILM
GRAND PRIZE:
“Solstice” | directed by Luke Angus | United Kingdom | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Drifting Guitar” | directed by Sophie Roze | France | 2024.
BEST CHILDREN’S LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Almost Adults” | directed by Rafaella Buzzi | Brazil | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Low Tide” | directed by David Noblet | France | 2025.
VORTEX SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR AWARD (FEATURE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Thinestra” | directed by Nathan Hertz | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“April X” | directed by Michel K Parandi | United States | 2025.
VORTEX SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR AWARD (SHORT)
GRAND PRIZE:
“dont.4get2smile” | directed by Stefano Alessandro Pennisi | United States.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Knock Knock Game” | directed by Mac Hendrickson | United States.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Films that celebrate the endurance of the human spirit and resilience in the face of injustice
GRAND PRIZE:
“In The Clouds” | directed by Alexandra Bahíyyih Wain | United Kingdom | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“LUCÍA” | directed by Clément Bompart | Canada | 2024.
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD (COLLEGE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“No Experience Necessary” | directed by Emily Everhard | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Lottie Baby” | directed by Bella Ray Rosales | United States | 2025.
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD (HIGH SCHOOL)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Stream of Consciousness” | directed by Sadie Schoenberger | United States | 2024.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
GRAND PRIZE:
“LAMENTO” | directed by Diego Contreras | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Sane Baby by Polly Bessette” | directed by Alex Watrous | United States | 2025.
BEST PODCAST
GRAND PRIZE:
“Leylines” | created by Rachel Music | United States | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Josie’s Lonely Hearts Club” | created by Maximilian Clark | United States | 2025.
BEST TELEVISION PILOT/WEBISODE
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Price of Milk” | directed by Yoni Brook, Nicholas Bruckman | USA | 2025.
FIRST PRIZE:
“What Haunts Us” | directed by Lukáš Hanulák, Andy Fehu, Jan Haluza | Czech Republic | 2024.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
–BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“HOW I LEARNED TO DIE” | directed by Manya Glassman | United States.
–BEST ANIMATED SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“Retirement Plan” | directed by John Kelly | Ireland.
–BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“The Window on Death Row” | directed by Linda Catherine Freund | Spain.
–BEST FEATURE FILM
“POOLS” | directed by Sam Hayes | United States.
–BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
“Hockeytown” | directed by Kyle Aramburo | United States.
THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2024 FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS FOLLOWS:
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“Hearts of Stone” | directed by Tom Van Avermaet | Belgium.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Gordie” | directed by Jonathan Schupak | France | 2024.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“And Granny Would Dance” | directed by Maryam Mohajer | United Kingdom.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Nun or Never” | directed by Heta Jäälinoja | Finland | 2023.
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“Eternal Father” | directed by Omer Sami | Denmark | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“David Again” | directed by Adam Elliott | United States | 2023.
GEORGE T. MARSHALL PRODUCTION GRANTS IN FILM
Awarded to RIIFF Alum Tiffany Kimmel to aid in financing her stop motion animated television series pilot “Civil Service,” currently in development by Nihil Declarandum Productions.
Awarded to RIIFF Alum Reshad Kulenovic to aid in financing his first feature film project “Selma” – A film in developement with the support of the Bosnian National Film Fund, BH Telecom, and Tallinn ScriptPool. The film is produced by Sarajevo-based Real stage, with co-production support from Macedonia’s Kaval Film and Montenegro’s Natenane Productions.
Both projects will be awarded $10,000 in financing for their projects. This is the first year we are initiating these grants, and they will continue annually.
BEST FEATURE
GRAND PRIZE:
“Algiers” | directed by Chakib Taleb Bendiab | Algeria | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Within the Pines” | directed by Paul Evans Thomas| Australia | 2024.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE:
“Bad Faith” | directed by Stephen George Ujlaki | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Where Olive Trees Weep” | directed by Zaya Benazzo, Maurizio Benazzo | United States | 2023.
DR. J. GERALD LAMOUREUX AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE
Celebrating filmmakers from Canada
GRAND PRIZE:
“Evergreens” | directed by Stephane Moukarzel.
DR. J. GERALD LAMOUREUX AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Celebrating Filmmakers from Canada
GRAND PRIZE:
“À toi les oreilles” | directed by Alexandre Isabelle.
FILMMAKER OF THE FUTURE AWARD
Presented to a filmmaker whose vision excites audiences and judges alike about the potential to produce compelling and successful films in the future
GRAND PRIZE:
Bo Youngblood, director of The Power Within | United States | 2024.
BEST COMEDY FEATURE
GRAND PRIZE:
“Alien Country” | directed by Renny Grames, Boston McConnaughey | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Anna Comes Home” | directed by Amber Paulette Suzor | United States | 2023.
BEST COMEDY SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“Sitter” | directed by James Arden | United Kingdom | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Two Minutes” | directed by Jamie Benyon | United Kingdom | 2024.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
GRAND PRIZE:
“What Remains” | directed by Chloé Duval | France | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Geist Zeit” | directed by Lydia Leiber | United States | 2024.
BEST DIRECTOR
GRAND PRIZE:
“Sardinia” | directed by Paul Kowalski | Poland | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Bounce House” | directed by Katie Rehbeck | United States, 2023.
THE MARLYN MASON AWARD
New voices, new perspectives by women in film
GRAND PRIZE:
“Scratch Off” | directed by Tara E Sheffer | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Interception: Jayne Kennedy • American Sportscaster” | directed by Safiya Songhai | United States | 2023.
DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“Bits” | directed by Lilliya Scarlett Reid | United States | 22 min. | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Tributaries” | directed by Kat Gueli | United States | 2024.
SOLDIERS AND SACRIFICE AWARD
Celebrating Stories That Commemorate America’s Heroes
GRAND PRIZE:
“THE FINAL SALUTE” | directed by Joe Guarnieri | United States | 2023.
HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS AWARD
Celebrating Films that Reflect the Jewish Experience
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Red Shoe” | directed by K. Lorrel Manning | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Daisy” | directed by Catalina Kulczar | United States | 2023.
BEST SCREENPLAY
GRAND PRIZE:
“4th Dementia” | directed by Ian Wexler | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Apnées” | directed by Nicolas Panay | France | 2023.
NEW ENGLAND FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Presented annually to a New England director whose work brings cinematic excellence to an international audience
GRAND PRIZE:
“Bloodroot” | directed by Lukas Huffman | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“DAWN” | directed by Noah Zielinski, Claire Lin | United States | 2024.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (SHORT)
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Yellow Sponge is the Dish Sponge” | directed by Michele Noble | United States | 2024.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (DOCUMENTARY)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Seahorse Parents” | Directed by Miriam Guttmann | Netherlands | 2023.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (FEATURE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Extremely Unique Dynamic” | directed by Harrison Xu, Ivan Leung, Katherine Dudas | United States | 2023.
BEST CHILDREN’S ANIMATED FILM
GRAND PRIZE:
“Slime On!” | directed by Ana Scheele, Long Huy Dao, Sophie Litvinenko | Germany | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Love Photosynthesis” | directed by Alisa Zolonz | Ukraine | 2024.
BEST CHILDREN’S LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“Raising Thunder” | directed by Kaleb Mckenna | Australia | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Vroom Vroom” | directed by Alec Deland | United States | 2023.
VORTEX SCI-FI, FANTASY & HORROR AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“Girls” | directed by Julien Hosmalin | France | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Taster” | directed by Sophia Bierend | Germany | 2022.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Films that celebrate the endurance of the human spirit and resilience in the face of injustice
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Boy With White Skin” | directed by Simon Panay | France | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Muscat” | directed by Philippe Grenier | Canada | 2023.
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD (COLLEGE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Handwoven” | directed by Sophia Bierend | Germany | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Human Fossil” | directed by HyunSong An | Korea | 2022.
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD (HIGH SCHOOL)
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Lake in the Sky” | directed by Caleb Reese Paul | United States | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Happiness in the Palm of Her Hand” | directed by Ella Janes | United States | 2023.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
GRAND PRIZE:
“SIGUR ROS” | directed by Ekaterina Gimro | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“ANTOHA MC – HEART RHYTHM” | directed by Mariia Zhemchuzhina | Russia | 2024.
BEST PODCAST
GRAND PRIZE:
“Gladstone Girls” | Created by Chris Overton | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Case Within” | Created by Jillian Clare, Jonathan W. Robbins | United States | 2023.
BEST TELEVISION PILOT/WEBISODE
GRAND PRIZE:
“Madam” | directed by Kacie Anning, Madeleine Sami, and Peter Salmon | New Zealand | 2024.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Gastro Gods” | directed by Philipp Straetkter | Germany | 2024.
THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2023 FLICKERS’ RHODE ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS FOLLOWS:
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“One Note Man” | directed by George C. Siougas | United Kingdom.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Confessions” | directed by Stephanie Kaznocha | United States.
TIED WITH:
“Je me souviens” | directed by Raphaël Benoit Pettigrew | Canada.
BEST SHORT ANIMATION
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“Search for the Human” | directed by Mélina Ienco, Lucie Juric, Caroline Leibel, Faustine Merle, and Claire Pellet.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Harvey” | directed by Janice Nadeau | Canada | 2023.
TIED WITH:
“Ninety-Five Senses” | directed by Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess | United States | 2022.
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE (RIIFF’s Official Academy Nomination):
“Note of Defiance” | directed by Brian Henderson | United Kingdom | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Waorani omede beye ante nee adani” | directed by Luisana Carcelen, Jamaicanoproblem.
TIED WITH:
“Taking Back the Groove” | directed by Celia Aniskovich Hess | United States | 2022.
BEST FEATURE
GRAND PRIZE:
“I Think I’m Sick” | directed by Danny Gevirtz | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“A Song for Imogene” | directed by Erika Arlee | United States | 2023.
TIED WITH:
“Silent Life: The Story of the Lady in Black” | Directed by Vladislav Alex Kozlov | 2023.
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
GRAND PRIZE:
“Tune Out The Noise” | directed by Errol Morris | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Pay or Die” | directed by Rachael Dyer and Scott Alexander Ruderman | United States | 2023.
TIED WITH:
“Sloane: A Jazz Singer” | directed by Michael Lippert | United States | 2023.
FILMMAKER OF THE FUTURE AWARD
Presented to a filmmaker whose vision excites audiences and judges alike about the potential to produce compelling and successful films in the future
GRAND PRIZE:
Stefanie Burla, director of “Motherland” | Switzerland | 2023.
BEST ACTOR
GRAND PRIZE:
Jorge Gabino, “The Fuse” | directed by Kevin Haefelin | Switzerland | 2023.
BEST ACTRESS
GRAND PRIZE:
Sharon Rooney, “Roast Dinner” | directed by Argüero Mendoza | United Kingdom | 2022.
BEST COMEDY SHORT
GRAND PRIZE:
“Dead Cat” | directed by Annie-Claude Caron, Danick Audet | Canada | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“The Princess and the Formaldehyde Specimen” | directed by Adam Peterson | United States | 2022.
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
GRAND PRIZE:
“Far Calls” | directed by Tristan Heanue | Ireland | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Time Traveling Through Time” | directed by Ryan Ward | Canada.
BEST DIRECTOR
GRAND PRIZE:
Patricia Chica, director of “Montreal Girls” | Canada | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
Andrew Stephen Lee, director of “At Little Wheelie Three Days Ago” | United States | 2022.
THE MARLYN MASON AWARD
New voices, new perspectives by women in film
GRAND PRIZE:
“Passing Through” | directed by Erica Alexandria Silverman | United States | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“FLOAT!” | directed by Azza Cohen | United States | 2023.
DIRECTORIAL DISCOVERY AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
João Papa, director of “Mort Diplomatique” | Brazil | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
Barbara Toschi, director of “Dimension Slip” | United Kingdom | 2023.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Way It Was: PARIS RESTAURANTS IN THE 1970’s” | directed by Stephen Karl Scher | photographed by Walter Lassally.
FIRST PRIZE:
“JessZilla” | directed by Emily Sheshkin | photographed by Paul Yee | United States | 2023.
RIIFF NEW ENGLAND DIRECTOR’S AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“Mattress Express” | directed by Noah Morse | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Demons & Dragans. Mark Patinkin’s Cancer Journey” | directed by Dante Bellini | United States | 2023.
SOLDIERS AND SACRIFICE AWARD
Celebrating Stories That Commemorate America’s Heroes
GRAND PRIZE:
“Burden of Memory” | directed by Scott Whitham | United States | 2022.
RIIFF DIRECTOR’S CHOICE AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Day of” | directed by Umar Malik | United States | 2023.
HEARTS, MINDS, SOULS AWARD
Celebrating Films that Reflect the Jewish Experience
GRAND PRIZE:
“DeadlyDeceptionAtSobibor” | directed by Gary Hochman | United States |
2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Jack and Sam” | directed by Jordan Matthew Horowitz | United States | 2023.
BEST EDITING
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Loop: Undeniable” | directed by Adam Hardman | United States | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Minnows.” | directed by James Mills | United States | 2023.
BEST SCREENPLAY
GRAND PRIZE:
“By Any Other Name” | directed by Daniel Deville | United Kingdom | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Licensed Fool” | directed by Gareth Bowen | United Kingdom | 2023.
FLICKERS’ AMBASSADOR AWARD
Presented to an individual who inspires and empowers communication and cultural understanding
Jamaicanoproblem, director of “Waorani omede beye ante nee adani” | Ecuador | 2023.
FLICKERS’ INTERNATIONAL VISION AWARD
Breaking down international cultural barriers through film
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Swallow” | directed by Malika Mukhamejan | Kazakhstan | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Sevap/Mitzah” | directed by Sabina Vajraca | Bosnia | 2023.
PROVIDENCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD
Presented annually to a New England director whose work brings cinematic excellence to an international audience
GRAND PRIZE:
“Southerly” | directed by Aidan Sheldon | Aidan Sheldon | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Fent & Me” | directed by Mark Cavanagh, Therese Dunn | United States | 2023.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (SHORT)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Fina Forever” | directed by Tess Quatri | Norway | 2022.
ALTERNATIVE SPIRIT AWARD (FEATURE)
GRAND PRIZE:
“Upon Waking” | directed by Max Rissman | United States | 2023.
BEST SOUND DESIGN
GRAND PRIZE:
“There are no Ghosts” | directed by Nacho Solana | Spain | 2022.
KIDSEYE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
Presented to a film that resonates with the filmmaker within both children and adults alike.
–BEST CHILDREN’S ANIMATION
GRAND PRIZE:
“Flutter” | directed by Adam Reed Levy | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Oren’s Way” | directed by Keika Lee | United States | 2023.
–LIVE ACTION SHORT
GRAND Prize:
“Chasing Jupiter” | directed by Linjie Huang | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“MUDI” | directed by Quin Luo | China | 2023.
GREEN PLANET AWARD
Celebrating the vision of man’s shared humanity and achieving sustainability on our planet
GRAND PRIZE:
“Las Nogas” | directed by Catya Plata | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Greener Pastures” | directed by Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian.
VORTEX SCI-FI & FANTASY AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“Olga’s Eyes” | directed by Sarah Carlot Jaber | Belgium | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“In Too Deep” | directed by Chris Overton | United Kingdom | 2023.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
Films that celebrate the endurance of the human spirit and resilience in the face of injustice
GRAND PRIZE:
“Dog Run” | directed by Lorna Nickson Brown | United Kingdom | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Istina” | directed by Tamara Denic | Germany | 2023.
BEST STUDENT FILM AWARD
GRAND PRIZE:
“Aves” | directed by Eli Snyder | United States | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“How to Make Chedder” | directed by HyunSong An | Korea | 2022.
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
GRAND PRIZE:
“Big Boss” | directed by Lauren Keke Palmer | United States | 2022.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Waltz” | directed by Lado Kvataniya | Georgia | 2023.
BEST PODCAST
GRAND PRIZE:
“Babalu” | created by Kimberly Truong | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“End of the Cornfield (Fiction Podcast/Audiodrama)” | created by Trevor Algatt | United States | 2023.
BEST TELEVISION PILOT/WEBISODE
GRAND PRIZE:
“Victor Versus the Metaverse” | directed by Delilah Napier, Lucy Powers | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“What the Elf?!” | directed by Tate Honyok | United States | 2023.
FLICKERS’ YOUTH FILM JURY AWARDS
Awards were curated by the 2023 RIIFF Youth Film Jury and the 32 members of the RIIFF summer intern team
–BEST ANIMATION
GRAND PRIZE:
“The Brave Locomotive” | directed by Andrew Pierce Chesworth | United States | 2023.
FIRST PRIZE:
“Temporarily Removed” | directed by Dotan Goldwaser & Yav Brill | Israel | 2023.
Our most notable prizes are the selection of Best Live Action Short (Grand Prize), Best Documentary Short (Grand Prize), and Best Animated Short (Grand Prize) that in turn are eligible for nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Last Year's Winners
The Most Powerful Human on Earth
Directed by Andrew Richardson
Seaforth
Directed by John Murdo MacAulay
Ovary-Acting
Directed by Ida Melum
Pillowzzz
Directed by Mosh (Animoshe) Benavram Akal
Voices from the Abyss
Directed by Irving Serrano and Victor Rejón
Last Days on Lake Trinity
Directed by Charlotte Cooley