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WINNERS OF THE 2023 SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL

Last night, at our sold-out Closing Night Ceremony, our largest ever prize pool was awarded to outstanding filmmakers, including the prestigious Sydney Film Prize, awarded to The Mother of All Lies, directed by Moroccan filmmaker Asmae El Moudir.

The $60,000 Sydney Film Prize for the most 'audacious, cutting-edge and courageous' film was awarded by the jury, headed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and selected from twelve Official Competition films. 

Jury president Anurag Kashyap, spoke on stage on behalf of the jury that they were "commending the courage of choosing a theme perhaps wilfully obliterated from public memory, appreciating the storytelling methods of playful yet calculated visual narration, the jury hails the winning film of SFF which fictionalises the interplay between facts and memories," 

"Juxtaposing evidence from barely existent public materials with private family memory, this film reconstructs the history of the state, the family and the individual in three distinct levels."
 
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists of the 70th Sydney Film Festival awards. Keep reading to find out the other winners announced last night!

AWARD WINNERS OF THE
70TH SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL

DOCUMENTARY AUSTRALIA AWARD

WINNER
Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black)
dir. Derik Lynch and Matthew Thorne 

The Documentary Australia Award is supported by Documentary Australia with a $20,000 cash prize acknowledging excellence in Australian documentary production.

SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AWARD

WINNER
Against the Tide
dir. Sarvnik Kaur 
 
The Sustainable Future Award is presented to a narrative or documentary film of any length that deepens our knowledge and awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency with a $40,000 cash prize.

DENDY AWARDS FOR AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILMS

ROUBEN MAMOULIAN AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR

WINNER
Sophie Somerville, director of Linda 4 Eva

The Rouben Mamoulian Award, sponsored by Dendy Cinemas, provides a $7,000 cash prize to the best Australian short film director.

DENDY LIVE ACTION SHORT AWARD

EVENT CINEMAS RISING TALENT AWARD

WINNERS
The Dancing Girl and the Balloon Man 
dir. David Ma
Robyn Liu, lead actor 

The Dendy Live Action Short Award, sponsored by Dendy Cinemas, provides a $7,000 cash prize to the best Australian short film.

The Event Cinemas Rising Talent Award recognises an emerging filmmaker of short films with a cash prize of $7,000. Open to film creatives, directors and screenwriters who have had no more than five short film credits.

AFTRS CRAFT AWARD

WINNERS
Kalu Oji, Faro Musodza and Makwaya Masudi, screenwriters of What's In A Name?

The AFTRS Craft Award, sponsored by the Australian Film Television and Radio School, provides a $7,000 cash prize for demonstrated excellence by a craft practitioner in an Australian short film.

YORAM GROSS ANIMATION AWARD

WINNER
Teacups
dir. Alec Green and Finbar Watson

The Yoram Gross Animation Award, sponsored by Sandra and Guy Gross in memory of the late Yoram Gross, provides a $5,000 cash prize to the best Australian animated short film. 

MORE TO SEE FROM SFF

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Ward off the post-Festival blues with more films! We’re bringing 13 of the most-loved and sold-out films back by popular demand, for another four days until Thursday 22 June! Single tickets on sale now. Flexipass redeems are not available for these special post-Festival sessions. 

A BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR SFF

Celebrate SFF's 70th birthday with a gift towards its future. Your support will help ensure the Festival continues to thrive and inspire the next generation of filmmakers and filmgoers. With ticket sales covering only 30% of costs each year, every gift makes a difference. Donate today or consider leaving a gift in your Will to be part of SFF’s next chapter.