FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rick Prickett, Competition Director

858-779-9544

Website: www.BestShorts.net

Email: info@BestShorts.net

La Jolla, CA, June, 2022 - 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 ~~

Oliver Goetzl – Baboons – A Really Wild Family

Oliver Goetzl (Germany), Baboons – A Really Wild Family, Nature / Wildlife – Goetzl brings his signature mix of extraordinary wildlife filming combined with clever entertaining scripting and exceptional story-telling to highlight a family of wild baboons in Africa. Wildlife filming is among the most challenging often taking days or even weeks to get a specific shot. Goetzl and his team are at the top of the field. They manage to capture cinematic quality images and weave them together into a story that is utterly entertaining, informative and moving. Artistic cinematography, extraordinary images, fascinating storylines and superb sound design create a doc that feels more like a scripted movie. A horde of olive baboons in Africa’s Great Rift Valley – we get to know the individual characters and their special traits: the grandfather, the tough rioter, the cool macho, the helicopter mother, the devious villain and of course lots of young animals. As you can see, monkeys are only small people with fur – and in the end they are just “a terribly nice family”. A feat of wildlife and documentary filmmaking.

~~ Outstanding Achievement ~~

Côme Ferré – Booksmart

Côme Ferré (France), Booksmart, Film Short – Since he wants to know everything an 8 year old boy spends all of his time reading. But there are things books can’t explain. An exceptionally crafted, entertaining and heart-warming story – director Ferré elicits a genuine performance from his young star and marries that with creative story-telling, some profound truths about humanity, beautiful cinematography, engaging special effects and complimentary sound design. musical score. Poetry in every-day reality. Stars: Liam Biermans.

~~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~~

Haley Geffen (USA), Jolie, Film Short – Multi Emmy-winner Geffen delivers an impactful ode to real life restaurateur Benjamin Tretout and his Jolie restaurant – a potent example of the many businesses to be closed due to the pandemic. Deft direction, outstanding script with authentic performances, beautiful cinematography, tight editing and exceptional sound design. Stars: Ian Poake, Kim Exum.

Michel Garcia (France), Ora, Doc Short – Garcia’s exceptionally crafted doc features Éric Dargent, Jérôme Bonellli and Benoît Moreau, men with their own “handicaps” and a shared love of surfing and changing lives. Deft direction, exceptional editing and compelling fresh soundtrack support beautiful cinematography and an emotionally pitched story-telling. Inspiring in every way. Avalon Creative.

Gordy De St. Jeor (USA), The Thrill, Film Short – Talented young actor turned director De St. Jeor’s film about a young guitarist about to play the biggest show of his life. Things don’t quite go as expected and his performance is driven by a depth of emotion he didn’t know he had. A compelling story about art, passion and life with authentic performances. Stars: Aidan Browne, Sofia Masson.

M. Douglas Silverstein (Canada), The Relentless One, Doc Short – Emmy-winning Silverstein’s poignant portrait of entrepreneur Kathleen Black who survived a horrific childhood – as a witness to parental domestic violence and overcoming her own physical and emotional abuse – including being sent to a psychiatric ward and being homeless at 15. Beautifully crafted with superb reenactments and touching interviews.

Dmitriy Shcherbakov (Ukraine), John, Film Short – After decades of inconclusive investigation of his missing mother, John decides to close the case. That night he receives a call from his partner who has seen her. Compelling and surprising story-telling with excellent special effects, beautiful production design and technical craft. Stars: Pavel Zaharchuk with Edgar Ryzhkov and Anastasia Sydorenko.

Pam A. Miller, Lindsey Mandia and Cindy Sisson (USA), Betty Skelton: Boundless, Doc Short – Veteran director Miller’s deft direction lead this outstanding doc about a woman who made history and paved the way for women today. Exceptionally crafted in every way, outstanding storytelling and pitch-perfect technical craft. With Emmy-winner Jay Leno, Danica Patrick and host Olympian Misty-May Treanor.

Sean William Economou (USA), UKWATI // The Wedding, Commercial / Infomercial – Child Marriage and Human Trafficking is a crime that goes on across the globe. This excellent short film beautifully spotlights this tragedy and one group, Watts of Love, who is working to make a difference. Exceptional way to tell the organizations’ story with lush cinematography, outstanding technical craft and emotional connection.

Lin Song (USA), Untitled, Experimental – Each frame of this short film is designed with a unique eye and striking visuals that elicit emotions. A compelling experimental short that leaves open to interpretation as the film takes the viewer on a voyage of life, love, struggle and the meaning of heart. Well-crafted with beautiful imagery and tight editing. From Subliminal Media.

Shane Rock Nelson (USA), Indelible, Film Short – The spirits of a cranky 97-year-old man are lifted when he plays the piano for memory care patients. His music elicits indelible memories, momentarily freeing them from dementia. Excellent production craft, moving, entertaining storyline with a colorful cast of characters and touching emotional impact. A fun ensemble cast stars WWII veteran John Helland.

Michael Dopfer, Thomas Forstner, Gabriela Treffs (Germany), Sweet Revenge, Animation – An imaginative and entertaining student thesis – A story of 1950s America suburbia and the extreme baking rivalry between neighbors – who resort to sabotaging each other’s cakes. Creatively delivered and entertaining animation with delicious character nuances and music / sound design by Paul Bickhoff. Deggendorf Institute of Technology.

~~ Award of Excellence ~~

Adi Bar-Hai (Israel), Closed Case, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Adi Bar-Hai (Israel), Zoom In, Film Short (Student)
Alex Kim (Korea), AFTER, Film Short
Amir Hossein Nouri (Iran), NIRVANA, Music Video
Andreas Heinrich (Switzerland), Terra Sancta, Film Short, Script / Writer
Angela Wu (USA), Do Unto Others, Animation, Women Filmmakers
Carson G. Smith (USA), Going, Animation, Original Score
Cedric Matesic (France), One Lifetime Therapy, Actor: Leading (Cedric Matesic as The Patient), Film Short
Chris Michael Fretwell (United Kingdom), The Turn of the Screw, Film Short

Christopher L. Miller (USA), One Shot, Direction, Film Short
Côme Ferré (France), Booksmart, Concept
Dmitriy Shcherbakov (Ukraine), John, Editing
Elizabeth Usher (Australia), Please Don’t Turn Away, Original Song (Please Don’t Turn Away composed by Elizabeth Usher)
Emily Anderson, Kate Battersby and Elizabeth Usher (USA/Australia), Share Your Messy With Me, Original Song composed by Emily Anderson, Kate Battersby and Elizabeth Usher)
Gail Albright (USA), Prime Suspect, Animation (Student)
James Hu (USA), NFT Revolution Documentary, Documentary Short
Jean-Luc McMurtry (USA), Unhinged, Music Video
Joslyn Rose Lyons (USA), Butterfly Boxing, Film Short
Karim Khorsheed (USA), The 13th Note, Asian, Documentary Short, Experimental, Film Short

M. Douglas Silverstein (USA), The Relentless One, Direction, Original Score (Michael Suby and Daniele Truocchio), Cinematography (Matthew Mindlin)
Marisa Cohen and Peter Issac Alexander (USA), The Cloaked Realm “Tunnel 23”, Animation, Television – Program Series, Special Effects: Animation, Sound: Overall Impact
Michael Dopfer, Thomas Forstner and Gabriela Treffs (Germany), Sweet Revenge, Sound Editing / Sound Mixing
Neil Whitman (United Kingdom), Johnny Spittoon, Animation
Pam A. Miller, Lindsey Mandia and Cindy Sisson (USA), Betty Skelton: Boundless, Women, Filmmakers
Rubia Lima and Rafael Henrique Lima (Brazil), Tóxico, Film Short, Cinematography, Direction
Sergio Fernández Muñoz (Peru), Holestepper, Actor: Leading (Oswaldo Salas as Angel), Film Short
Toni Escandell (Spain), CABRERA,  The Ancestral Mediterranean, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Troy Baird (Canada), UPSIDE DOWN AND BACKWARDS, Documentary Short
Суҳроб Қодиров Феруза Турсунхўжаева (Uzbekistan), Creation, Film Short

~~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~~

Anders Jan Sundstedt (United Kingdom), The Big Balloon to the Moon (Official Music Video), Music Video
Andrew Westfield (United Kingdom), Watershed, Actor: Leading Actor: Leading (Andrew Westfield as The Man)
Christopher L. Miller (USA), One Shot, Actor: Leading (Rob Pralgo as “Priest”), Actor: Supporting (Keith Brooks as Clerk), Script / Writer
Daniel Banks (USA), HAMAPAH/THE MAP/DANCE-ON-FILM, African American, Documentary Short, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Daniel M. Dyer and Petey Dyer (USA), Sole Trail, Documentary Short
Elizabeth Usher (Australia), Please Don’t Turn Away, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Fangbo Li (China), Silent Confession, Asian (Student), Film Short (Student)
Jesse Richards (Australia), Grounded, Actress: Leading (Josephine Croft as Anne)
Jordan Hoffmaster (USA), Grounded, Documentary Short
Keith Randal Duncan (USA), The Deepest Dark, Actor: Leading (Justin Armstrong as The Prisoner), Direction, Experimental, Film Short
Lee Klein, Openlight Media (USA), The Habit of Prayer, Christian, Documentary Short
Lucas Dabrowski (Canada), Faded, Not Yet Gone, Film Short
Nicolas Pecollo (Spain), In Situ, Film Short, Direction
Oren Kaya Dayan (USA), Ripple in the Mirror, Experimental
Paula Baisden and Deon Green (USA), Out of Touch, Television – Pilot Program, Women Filmmakers
uinn Friedman (USA), A Rose from the Ashes, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Rikard Rodin (USA), Zippy Ride, Film Short
Sepehr Qeshmi (United Arab Emirates), Renascence, Film Short, Cinematography
Susan Lim, Christina Teenz Tan and Samudra Kajal Saikia (Singapore), Ode to an Inanimate Companion, Animation
Yin Jo Ho (Taiwan), Zhuazhou ceremony, Film Short (Student)

~~ Award of Merit ~~

Adrian Izquieta (USA), The Ushers, Ensemble Cast
Aimee Baruah (India), SCREAMING BUTTERFLIES, Documentary Short
Allan Crawford (USA), Green Waste: An Environmental Opportunity, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Andrew Westfield (United Kingdom), Watershed, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Angela R. Harvey (USA), Black Rainbow Love, Documentary Short, LGBTQ+, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Antonia Tong (USA), Mad Scientists, Movie Trailer
Barbara G. Grant (USA), VR House, Script / Writer, Women Filmmakers
Bruce Hickey (USA), Blind Faith, Film Short
Christopher L. Miller (USA), One Shot, Actress: Leading (Victoria Staley as “Young Woman”)
Cristobal Olguin (Australia), Wrath, Film Short
Daniel Baptista and Andreia Albernaz (Portugal), I´m Not Beating You Up., Documentary Short
Elizabeth Usher (Australia), Please Don’t Turn Away, Music Video

Emerson Little (USA), In Another Place, Experimental (Student)
Erik Sharpnack (USA), The Collector, Film Short, Direction
Erika Lynn Jolie (USA), The Mountains Call Me Home, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Fangbo Li (China), Silent Confession, Direction (Student)
Greta Mendez (United Kingdom), Ah! Hard Rain, Experimental
Han Gao and Ruijin Xu (China), LOCK, Asian (Student)
ivan knyazev (Russia), My mother’s last dance, Experimental
Jatinder Sairaj (India), Mission Performance, Film Short
Joi-Noelle Worley (USA), LionHeart: Animatic Pilot, Television – Pilot Program, Ensemble Cast
Jonathan Geffner (USA), Casanoir, Film Short, Humor / Humorist
Karen Lang (Canada), Bear Viewing, Katmai National Park, Alaska, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Keara Barnes and Brenda Whitehall (Canada), The Stepmom, Film Short, Script / Writer

Konstantina Sofokleous (Cyprus), Thread Threat, Animation, Creativity / Originality
Leila Pongracz and Wyatt Lee (USA), Black Moses, Educational / Instructional / Training
Lina De La Pava (USA), The Two Of Us, Film Short
Marisa Cohen and Peter Issac Alexander (USA), The Cloaked Realm “Tunnel 23”, Creativity / Originality
Marnie Salsky (Canada), A PEOPLEHOOD | AMIUT YEHUDIT, Documentary Short, Jewish
Matt Frierdich (USA), How Did We Get Here?, Ensemble Cast, Television – Pilot Program, Television – Program Series, Webisode, Web Series, Humor / Humorist
Matthew Dunlap (USA), Hand that Feeds, Film Short (Student), Cinematography (Student)
Michael A. Viteritti (Switzerland), Choice, Film Short
Michael Watson (USA), Latinx Travel Summit, Latin / Hispanic
Mick Gorley (USA), Captis, Film Short
Mimi Garrard (USA), TH SR, Experimental
Nic Gregory (USA), Suddenly, Animation, Production Design

Nicholas Linnehan (USA), Catfish?, Disability Issues, LGBTQ+
Nicholas Tan (Australia), Joel, Film Short
Rachel Cairns (Canada), SUCCULENT, Women Filmmakers, Original Score
Rachel Handler (USA), Andy & Kaliope, Disability Issues (Rachel Handler), Children / Family Programming (Rachel Handler)
Rikard Rodin (USA), Zippy Ride, Actor: Leading (Christian Marchant as Phil)
Rodney Mansour (Australia), The Sound Eye, Christian, Editing
Rodney Roldan (USA), Country and Courage, Documentary Short
Sadie Duarte (Spain), Between Here and Gone, Actor: Leading (Iván Gisbert as Dax), Actor: Supporting (Alfonso Desentre as Blake)
Stilvi Psilopoulou (Greece), Phoenix 2021/A Survival Guide,  Women Filmmakers, Actress: Leading (Stilvi Psilopoulou)
Susan Lim, Christina Teenz Tan and Samudra Kajal Saikia (Singapore), Ode to an Inanimate Companion, Music Video, Script / Writer
Tara Veneruso (USA), Girl Unscripted – Season 1, Episode 1 – At-Risk Girl, Television – Program Series, Direction, Editing
Thomas Brouns (USA), The Search, Documentary Short (Student), Narration / Voice-Over Talent (Student)
Tommy Petroskey (USA), Footnote, Actor: Leading (Robert McKeon as Walter Cooper), Film Short, Direction, Script / Writer
Tori Layne (USA), A Horse Called Possum, Women Filmmakers
Uncharted Studios (USA), Mirror Mirror, Film Short, Creativity / Originality
Val Gehley (USA), DOGWALK, Web Series, Actress: Leading (Valentina Tammaro)
Zixuan Wang (China), A King of Infinite Space, Film Short

~~ Award of Recognition ~~

Adrian Izquieta (USA), The Ushers, Film Short
Alexis Kaplan (USA), Water: Simply Save Something Powerful, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger, Public Service Programming / PSA (Student)
Alizay Rizwan (United Arab Emirates), all about her, Film Short (Student), Cinematography (Student)
Allen Forouhar (Canada), I am here, Documentary Short
Andrew Pichot (USA), Horsing Around, 48-Hour Film (Denver 48)
Anjali Kallengattu (United Arab Emirates), Kilivaathil, Music Video, Women Filmmakers
Anthony Bradford (USA), Ethereal, Actor: Leading (Anthony Bradford as Joe)
Armstrong Jaison (USA), Coming After Me, Christian
Ben T. Murdock (Canada), Split Ends, 48-Hour Film
Blane Henderson (USA), The Squid Tango A Mating Dance, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Brandon Burket (USA), Philip, Film Short (Student)
Carly Griffin-Fiorella (USA), Being Alive, Television – Pilot Program (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Casey Samuel Bell (USA), #MaleToo, Liberation / Social Justie / Protest, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Charles & Mary Love (USA), Cataclysm! Climate Change in the 11th Hour, Documentary Short
Christine Saab (United Kingdom), In The Space You Left, Documentary Short
Claudio Steinberg (Israel), Grandchild, LGBTQ+
Clay Lacey (USA), Corpus Delicti, Film Short
Cristobal Olguin (Australia), Wrath, Actress: Leading (Talin Agon as Juno)
David M. Wallace (USA), The Academy Charter School Shop Commercial, Commercial / Infomercial
David Safin (USA), Up on the Hill, Documentary Short
Deanna Rose Wardin (USA), Call it what you will, Animation, Music Video

Dino Muccio (USA), MERCY, Film Short
Dmitriy Arbatov (USA), Penitentiary: Eastern State, Documentary Short
Dox Bernard (USA), 13 AM THE MOVIE, African American
Emily Anderson, Kate Battersby and Elizabeth Usher (USA/Australia), Share Your Messy With Me, Music Video
Frey Dagne (USA), RAINE, African American, Film Short
George Orallo, Karen Tusa and Melva McLean (Canada), Richard the Third, Film Short, Web / Internet Programming
Gerelle Forbes (Trinidad and Tobago), The Journey and Impact of Pan on the Move – A 50th Anniversary Tribute to Dr.Ray Holman, Documentary Short
Gonzalo Chavez (USA), THE HARVEST, Film Short
Hunter Adam Regelsky (USA), Liv and Boo, Film Short (Student)
Hunter Smit (USA), A Far Far Distant Place… episode 1, Film Short
Ismail Mohmmed and Madiha. M: Child Artist (India), Kakitham – Paper, Film Short, Children / Family Programming
Jac Jay Rubenstein (USA), Still Lifes (Stillleben), Experimental
Jaison Sydney Blackwater (USA), The Thrill, Actor: Leading (Jon Cioffi as Shawnie)
Jake Fuller (USA), To Dance, Special Purpose Productions
Jake Oletsky (USA), The Diary of Aaron Stanford, Film Short (Student)
James Chen (Taiwan), Mom’s War Time Stories, Asian, Documentary Short
James Diaz (USA), The Hauntings of Saint Augustine, Documentary Short (Student)
James Matthew Storm (USA), Meet My Pet Monster The MUSIC VIDEO, Music Video
Jason Killian Meath (USA), The Culture Killers, Documentary Short
Jeff Lukeski (USA), Legends of Burkittsville: 3 Days Before Heather Left, Film Short, Mockumentary

Jesse Jacques (USA), Artificial Roses, Experimental, Direction
John Pattison (USA), A Killer’s Confession, Script / Writer (Student)
John R. Bowey (USA), My Otherland: Linden Jordan, LGBTQ+
Johnny Vonneumann (USA), Biblical Christianity 2.0.  walking with Jesus, Music Video
Jude Peter Damian (India), SHASHTHI, Film Short, Asian
Kasia Skorynkiewicz (USA), #, Experimental
Kate Peterson and Caryn Ruby (USA), Vadgevertising, Women Filmmakers
KeAndre Ashon Murray (USA), Last Day on Earth, LGBTQ+ (Student), Script / Writer (Student)
Kevin Veatch (USA), The Story of the Standard, Narration / Voiceover Talent (Birke Duncan), Script / Writer (Norman W. Vance, Jr., Garrett W. Vance, Birke Duncan)
Khairulla Saidullayev (USA), Thank you,  Actress: Leading (Stefaniya Makarova as Heroine)
Kristen Petrarca (USA), Quiver, Christian (Student), Disability Issues (Student), Production Design (Student)
Larry Guernsey (USA), Scary Story, Animation
Larry Thompson (USA), 3 Below Average Dudes, Animation, Webisode
Lauren Robbins (USA), Hallmark Bitches, Direction
Manuel Saldaña (USA), Happy Belated, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Samantha Rae Bass as Tariana), Direction, Ensemble Cast
MARKD Productions (Canada), TEEN ACROSS CANADA, Documentary Short (Student), Tourism / Travel (Student)
Matthew Winters (USA), Don’t Be Afraid, Web Tube Length Video
Meitar Paz (USA), Invisible Flags,  Actress: Leading (Meitar Paz as Emily), Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Mitch Norris and Ron Hardy (USA), THE BEAT ( Drummers Gone Wild in the Bible Belt), Special Purpose Productions
Nathan Large (USA), No Harm Done, Movie Trailer

Nayan Sarma (USA), Ella, Animation (Student)
Orlagh Heverin (Ireland), Deoch Dance, Women Filmmakers, Experimental
Oscar Pavlove (USA), Kibbutz, Actress: Leading (Allyson Cristofaro as Leah)
Patrick Chemali (Lebanon), Clotheslined, Experimental, Concept
Robert G. Silverman (USA), Malvolio Spends Too Much Time on Social Media, Actor: Leading (Robert G. Silverman as Malvolio)
Robert William Lyons and Andrew Carr (USA), Rebekah’s Song (And I Prayed For You), Music Video
Rosie Grypma and Wayne Lai (Canada), The House, Women Filmmakers
Shihyun Wang (Taiwan), Warm Winter, Asian, Tourism / Travel
Stéphane Zuède (Luxembourg), The Conflict, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Angélique Bossy)
Steve Downey (United Kingdom), We are the Lost Girls, Disability Issues
Suresh Makkar and Ashish Sharma (Australia), I..I..I… (your dreams should be bigger than your fears), Film Short
Suresh Makkar and Harjot Singh (Australia), Harjot’s Lotto Shop, Asian
Tane McClure, Sandra Stenzel and Nisha Catron (USA), Cosmic Storm, Music Video
Teresa Murjas and James Rattee (United Kingdom), I, Sheep, Creativity / Originality
Tim Kail (USA), Do Other People, Film Short, Script / Writer
Tori Layne (USA), A Horse Called Possum, Direction
Vibha Patel (USA), The Deep Dark Pit, Web Tube Length Video, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Walter David Jones and Kevin Michael Jones (USA), A Device To Save The World, Script / Writer
Yanzi Ding (Taiwan), Breaking Dawn, Public Service Programming / PSA, Women Filmmakers
Zhentong Shi (United Kingdom), High Fever, Experimental (Student)
Zoran Ignjatovic (Serbia), Everyone has a right to his own piece of heaven, Film Short