Our Awards for Excellence in Filmmaking are chosen by an esteemed panel of jurors and include a cash prize.
Short Film Jury Awards
Best Short Film: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Directed by Melissa Finell / USAJury statement: "DISASTER PREPAREDNESS is a comedic human relations story with three dimensional characters. It is a metaphorical storm with great writing, acting and sound."
Most Innovative Short: UNICORN
Directed by Rodrigo Bellot / Bolivia
Jury statement: "UNICORN has unique cinematography, sound and lighting. It is a different kind of storyline. An exposé documentary told through an exquisite narrative of a difficult real life event."
Documentary Film Jury Awards
Best Documentary Feature: OUT IN THE NIGHT
Directed by Blair Dorosh-Walther, Produced by Giovanna Chesler, USA
Jury statement: "OUT IN THE NIGHT emphasizes the dire need for justice and elicits an urgent call for equality in our systemically biased judicial system. And even more, it implores us all to reflect on how we challenge the criminalization of black bodies, especially queer black bodies, in America."
![]() |
| OUT IN THE NIGHT |

