The IndieFEST Film Awards Announces Latest Winners!
The IndieFEST is proud to announce the latest winners. Congratulations to all the filmmakers who participated in the current season!The awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment and compelling documentaries. The IndieFEST is a top-tier international awards competition. It honors professionals, established and emerging, who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity. The goal of The IndieFEST is to help the winners of this coveted award achieve the recognition they deserve. Additionally, each year IndieFEST also bestows a special award to productions that make significant contributions to social change or a humanitarian effort. Please visit www.TheIndieFEST.com to learn more about the IndieFEST Humanitarian Award.
Best of Show
KROTOA - Roberta Durrant, Penguin Productions
Roberta Durrant, Krotoa, (South Africa) Film Feature – Krotoa is a drama inspired by historical fact about a feisty, bright, young 11 year old girl who is removed from her close-knit Khoi tribe to serve Jan van Riebeeck, her uncle’s trading partner from the original Dutch settlement on the Cape. She is brought into the first Fort established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652. There she grows into a visionary young woman who assimilates the Dutch language and culture so well that she rises to become an influential interpreter for van Riebeeck. As such Krotoa ends up being rejected by her own Khoi people and eventually destroyed by the Dutch when she tries to find the middle way between the two cultures. Torn between cultures and loyalties, this film explores her tumultuous life with beautiful cinematography, expert story-telling and both nuanced and powerful performances by the entire cast. From award winning team Roberta Durrant, Kay Ann Williams, Uwe Jansch at Penguin Films. (International Emmy-nominated Sokhulu and Partners, Home Affairs). Stars Crystal Donna-Roberts, Armand Aucamp and Deon Lotz.
Award of Excellence Special Mention
Agustin Castaneda (USA/Mexico), Ruta Madre, Film Feature – A young broken hearted singer leaves California for an epic road trip through Baja to reconnect with his roots and find himself. Comic actor Paul Rodriguez (Quicksilver, Blood work), David Castro (Shadowhunters, Blue Bloods), William Miller (Rottweiler) and Cermen Salinas (The Popcorn Chronicles).
Nancy Colleton, IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (USA), Nature for All, Nature/Environment/Wildlife – #NatureForAll is a global movement to inspire a new generation of thinkers and doers across all sectors of society to connect with nature and take action to support its conservation. This beautiful and moving short flows with the music and inspires the viewers with artful simplicity.
Bertram Verhaag (Germany), Code of Survival, Doc Feature – Three sustainable, achievable and trend setting agricultural projects in India, Egypt and Germany are highlighted as alternatives to the health and environmental destruction caused by pesticides used in the USA and elsewhere. With a personal and impactful narrative, tight editing and striking cinematography.
Fabien Colas (Luxembourg), Roxy, Film Short – Roxy is an aging prostitute, working in a lovemobile on the German-Luxembourgish border. After being rescued from a brutal rape, she meets Jeff, a young man, whose intentions seem unclear to her. With nuanced, authentic and touching performances by Milli Schlesser and Christiane Rausch.
Melinda Janko, Fire in the Belly Productions (USA), 100 Years: One Woman’s Fight for Justice, Doc Feature – The David vs. Goliath story of a petite Native American woman who took on the United States Government and WON a $3.4 billion settlement for some of the poorest people in America. A shocking expose on the treatment of Native peoples in the USA.
David Naglieri (USA), The Face of Mercy, Doc Feature – Narrated by Jim Caviezel, The Face of Mercy explores the history and relevance of Divine Mercy in our turbulent times. Filmed in stunning 4K and seamlessly weaving together theology and history with modern testimonials and visual effects, this stirring film creates a remarkable tapestry of what constitutes the face of mercy in our modern world.
Ilana Trachtman & WHYY (USA), The Pursuit, Doc Feature – A thoughtful retrospective of the last 50 years is combined with an intimate look at the present and the fight for LGBT rights. Emmy award-winner Trachtman takes us on a journey that is poignant, tragic, and often fun and reminds us that while there have been momentous changes, the fight for rights continues.
Nicholas Kalikow (USA), Carter & June, Film Feature – Inventive blackmail schemes, flamboyant gangsters, power politics, greed, evangelicals and sex collide in this action packed dark comedy heist. Stars Michael Raymond-James (Once Upon a Time, Jack Reacher) Samaire Armstrong (It’s a Boy Girl Thing, The Mentalist) and Timothy Omundson (Galavant, Supernatural).
Award of Excellence
Agustin Castaneda (USA), Ruta Madre, Latin / Hispanic
Daryn Wakasa (USA), Seppuku, Asian
David Ash (USA), Twin Cities, Film Feature, Actress Leading (Bethany Ford Binkley as Emily / Emma)
Debi Lang (USA), CORNERSTONE, Women Filmmakers
Dekel Aizen (Israel), The picture on the fridge, Film Short
Gary Null (USA), Saving the Planet, One Bite At A Time, Documentary Feature, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Jennifer Perrott (Australia), The Ravens, Women Filmmakers
Jonathan Hofmeyer (South Africa), Pop Lock ‘n Roll, Film Feature
Josh Tickell and Rebecca Harrell Tickell (USA), Down To Earth, Documentary Short
Julio Vincent Gambuto (USA), The Julie Stories, Actor: Leading (Student) (Joseph Callari as Big Julie)
LaTeace Towns – Cuellar and Fred Cuellar (USA), Charlie’s Gift, Actress: Leading (Dee Wallace as Evelyn Benson ), Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Maria Teresa Larrain (Canada), Shadow Girl, Disability Issues
Mei-yi Cheng, Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), The Mid-Autumn Festival, Educational / Instructional / Training
Michael Fallavollita (USA), TALE of the KITE, Film Short, Direction, Sound Editing / Sound Mixing, Actor: Leading (John Schuck as Grandpa), Editing, Original Score
Michael Zapolin and Laurent Levy (USA), The Reality Of Truth, Documentary Feature
PCI Media Impact and Chocolate Moose Media (USA and Canada), Violence Against Children in Malawi, Animation, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Philip Leung, Folkstar Productions (Canada), The Suitcase, Asian
Rich Jackson (USA), Stuck In Traffic, Modern-Day Slavery In Michigan, Documentary Short
Sampson Yuen, JK Holdings (Hong Kong / Canada), Million Loves in Me, Actress: Leading (Lo Koon Lan as Mami)
Sean Southey, PCI Media Inc (USA), This is Who We Are (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Music Video, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Sophie Black (United Kingdom), Night Owls, Actor: Leading (Jonny McPherson as Kent), Film Short
Stephanie Jackson (USA), Does This Baby Make Me Look Fat – Season 3, Women Filmmaker, Actress Leading (Stephanie Jackson as Stephanie), Webisode / Web series, Humor / Humorist
Swati Srivastava (USA), Peace of Mind Guaranteed, Film Short
Trent McGee and Josh Berman (USA), Angels Of The Sky, Documentary Feature
Victoria Harwood Butler-Sloss (USA), A Flock of Birds, Film Short
Award of Merit Special Mention
Ashton Bracciodieta (USA), The Reacher, Film Short
Babis Galanakis (Greece), A Journey, Film Short
Chris Kousouros, What Took You So Long? (USA), Waynak: Where Are You?, Web Series
Coréon Dú (Angola), Bangaologia – The science of style, Documentary Feature
David Tyson Lam (USA), Viral Beauty, Film Feature
Gary Null (USA), Plant Codes, Unleashing Nature’s Healing Power, Documentary Feature
James L. Perry (USA), The Cursed Man, Actor: Leading (Brahm Gallagher as Alister Kunkle)
Justin Ward, Brad Wilson, Casey Bond, Higher Purpose Entertainment, (USA), The Meanest Man In Texas, Actor: Leading (Mateus Ward as Clyde Thompson), Actress: Leading (Alexandra Bard as Julia Perryman), Film Feature, Actor: Supporting (Anthony Guerino as Barney)
Max Bartoli (USA), The Secret of Joy, Special Purpose Productions
Michael Hilf (USA), The Candidate, Film Short
Mischa Marcus and Stephanie Bell (USA), I Am Still Here, Women Filmmakers
Rob Zazzali (USA), Right Hand Man, Actor: Leading (Rob Zazzali as Danny), Web Series
Ronald Marquisee (USA), The Play Within Documentary, Documentary Feature
Ryan Boyko (Canada), The Camps, Web Series
Sampson Yuen, JK Holdings (Hong Kong/ Canada), Million Loves in Me, Actor: Leading (John Y as Katy), Direction, Sound: Overall Impact
Sandra Luckow (USA), That Way Madness Lies…, Documentary Feature
Sherry Malone (USA), What’s My Price?, Original Song (A League of Your Own composed by Gary Lynn Floyd)
Steven Molony (USA), Oxenfree, Actor: Leading (Steven Molony as Aaron), Direction, Film, Script / Writer, Actor: Supporting (Paul Vonasek as Roy)
Swati Srivastava (USA), Remember When, Film Short
Award of Merit
Adolfo Doring (USA), ROSE & ROY, Documentary Feature
Alberto Martín-Aragón (Spain), Interference, Experimental
Alejandro Figarella Osorio (USA), Hidden Memory, Film Short (Student)
Andrei Stefan Rautu (Romania), Perseids, Actress: Leading (Olimpia Melinte as Ioana)
Ben Reicher (USA), Valor Cat: First Scratch, Animation
Betsy L Ross (USA), Looking for David, Women Filmmakers
Brian Barsuglia (USA), The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Actor: Leading (Gianni Capaldi as Mr. Hyde), Film Feature, Actor: Supporting (Jed Rowen as Dr. Lanyon)
Campbell Dalglish (USA), Road Kill, Film Short
Daniel Hayes (USA), The Honey Badger, Documentary Short, Sports, Fitness / Nutrition
Danielle Kronenberg and Jay Palmieri Jr. (USA), Taste, LGBT
Darnell Lamont Walker (USA), Outside The House, African American
Dave Rodkey (USA), The Race, Film Feature
David Swift, Scott Owen and Mike Cooley (USA), MINE IS THE SUNLIGHT: Refugee Youth in Germany, Documentary Short
Dieter Grohmann (Belgium), The girl with the flute (Das Mädchen mit der Querflöte), Film Short and follow me, Experimental
Dylan Brody and Brent Carpenter (USA), Dylan Brody’s Driving Hollywood, Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays, Humor / Humorist, Script / Writer
Edgar Baghdasaryan (Armenia), The Simon’s way, Film Short
Emma Barrett (USA), Take the Reins, Film Short
Freddy Rodriguez (USA), You’ll Never Know, Music Video
Greg Leslie (USA), The Mender, Documentary Short
Ian Hendry (United Kingdom), The Last Equinox, Film Short
Jack Nordstrom (USA), Puget Sound, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
James L. Perry (USA), The Cursed Man, Actress: Leading (Brinna Locke as Dr. Anna Lee), Film Feature, Actress: Supporting (Ruth Connell as Bonnie)
Jamie Rea (Canada), A Letter To Those Who Have Given Up On Love (A Love Letter To Love), Script / Writer
JD Cohen (Australia), Ravenswood, Actress: Leading (Madeline Marie Dona as Sofia), Film Feature
Jenness Rouse (USA), Becca on Call, Television – Pilot Program, Webisode, Women Filmmakers
Jo Meuris (USA), Marydean Martin Library and Why Use Animation?, Educational / Instructional / Training
Joel Souza (USA), Veracruz, Film Feature
Justin Ward, Brad Wilson, Casey Bond, Higher Purpose Entertainment, (USA), The Meanest Man In Texas, Christian
Kantarama Gahigiri (Switzerland), Lost Angel Less, Music Video
Kent Williamson, Paladin Pictures (USA), By War & By God, Documentary Short
Kerry Mondragon, UNINFLECTED PICTURES (USA), Meet Me At A Funeral, Film Short
Lauren Hoekstra (USA), Kiss ‘N’ Fly, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Lawrence Bucher and Kiyano La’Vin (USA), Under The Radar, Actor: Leading (Kiyano La’Vin as Miles Bentley)
Louie Rosa Alicea (USA), A Beautiful Trip, Children / Family Programming (Student)
Maia Porter, NatuReal Balance MK & Dr. Khalid White, Blkmpwr, LLC (USA), Black Fatherhood: Trials & Tribulations, Testimony & Triumph, African American
Maritza Brikisak (USA), The Lurking Man – FEATURE, Actor: Leading (Daniel Lench as Sariel), Actor: Supporting (Frank Krueger as Wilson)
Max Bartoli (USA), The Secret of Joy, Film Short
Michael Fallavollita (USA), TALE of the KITE, Actor: Leading (Kevin DeSimone as Kevin)
Michael Hilf (USA), A Game of Chicken, Film Short
Michael Satzinger (Austria), MUXE, LGBT
Myra Rivera, Brightside Productions (USA), Anomie, Television – Pilot Program (Student)
Ned Farr (USA), THE DIRNDL, Film Short
Norman Greg McGuire (USA), The Lucky Man, Film Feature
Robert Shannon (United Kingdom), The Information, Film Short
Roberta Staley (Canada), Mightier Than the Sword, Documentary Short
Sampson Yuen, JK Holdings (Hong Kong/ Canada), Million Loves in Me, Film Feature, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery, Actor: Supporting (Wilson Lee as James), Actress: Supporting (Ruby Yap as Cindy), Script / Writer, Contemporary Issues /Awareness Raising
Shakti Bhagchandani (United Arab Emirates), LostFound, Film Short
Sherry Malone (USA), What’s My Price?, Documentary Feature, Women Filmmaker
Simmer Bhatia, Path To Origin (India), The Conversations…A Journey to Path to Origin, Women Filmmaker, Creativity / Originality, Script / Writer
Stefano Ferrari and Michael Beltrami, RSI (Switzerland), Me, sexual assistant, Documentary Short
Stephen Riscica (USA), It Gets Better?, LGBT
Tash Ann (USA), Glass Ceiling, Film Short, Women Filmmakers
Teresa Vélez (Ecuador), Forbidden Melody, Film Short, Women Filmmaker, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Thomas Fink (Denmark), Save Mom – ALSO in Africa, Documentary Short
Tom Wilton (USA), Luna Park, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Freddie Connor as Jimmy), Actress: Leading (Fiona Graham as Carly)
Turner Baietto (USA), Someday, Film Short
Tyler Moore (USA), Finding Max, Film Short
Wes Hager, Triple Seven Pictures (USA), Little West 12th Street, LGBT (Student)
Yves Beneche (USA), Fortunate Son, Film Short
Award of Recognition
Aakaansha Das, Nashaat, Sanjana Das, Sukanya Das (India), HOPE, Documentary Short (Student)
Adam Rosenberg (USA), The Real Drakoolavs, Web Series (Student) and Here and Now, Film Short
Ades Zabel, Biggy van Blond and Nicolai Tegeler (Germany), When Edith´s Bells Toll, LGBT
Adrian Nuno, Andrew Nuno (USA), Don’t Be Afraid, Film Short
Andre Perez (USA), America in Transition: A Family Matter, Web / Internet Programming
Anthony Bradford (USA), Greenlit, Pilot Program / Series, Actor: Leading (Anthony Bradford as Daniel Evans)
bellopropello (Switzerland), cupid is not a terrorist, Film Short
Brian Marvin (USA), RUN, African American, Web Series
Cary Anderson (USA), Red Shirts, Film Short
Corine Colors (Lebanon), Bittersweet, Women Filmmaker
Daniel Chein (USA), Basha Man, Native American / Aboriginal Peoples (Student)
Derek Osinski (USA), Homeless Finds a Heart, Documentary Short (Student)
Dylan Brody and Brent Carpenter (USA), Dylan Brody’s Driving Hollywood, Documentary Feature, Comedy Program / Series
Edwin Dejesus Jr. (USA), The Great Griffin, Film Short (Student)
Elizabeth Boston (USA), Frenemies, Film Short
Eric McClanahan (USA), 66 & NOWHERE, Film Feature
Jamie Rea (Canada), A Letter To Those Who Have Given Up On Love (A Love Letter To Love), Film Short
Jason Morris (USA), Collapse, Film Feature
Jennifer Miller (USA), Hair Therapy, Documentary Short
Joachim Waibel (Canada), Grey Pain, Film Short
Joe Diamand (USA), The IBUR Connection, Jewish
Larry Rosen (USA), Into the Outbreak, Actor: Supporting (Larry Rosen as John), Script / Writer
Lyle Kash (USA), f * ck tr * mp, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest (Student)
Madison Durand (USA), Eyes in the Back of Her Head, Music Video (Student)
Mahmoud Kamel (USA), Triangles, Film Feature
Marcelo Mayen (USA), Bullock the Bruiser, Film Short
Maritza Brikisak (USA), The Lurking Man – FEATURE, Actress: Leading (Maritza Brikisak as Cailean / Orthon), Women Filmmakers
Michael Benni Pierce (USA), The Haunting of Lester House, Film Short
Miroslav Nincic (USA), Departing, Documentary Feature
Mitch Hooks (USA), Dreams Reality & Pragmatism, Film Short
Mukee Okan (USA), The Pussy Talks, Documentary Short
Pascal Pernix (Cayman Islands), Unwritten, Film Short
Ramin Eshraghi-Yazdi (Canada), Brother by Jesse and the Dandelions, Music Video
Ray Zomerfeld (USA), Dugout Bros, Web Tube Length Video
Robert Hensley (USA), The Taste of Salt, Film Short
Shaine Greenwood and Taylor Fry (USA), Mistaken, Film Short
Sonia Suvagau (Canada), WHY ?, Film Short
Ted Leger (USA), Kilted Lions, Documentary Short
Waley Wang (USA), Coquette, Film Short
William Buerkel (USA), Mark of the Baxter II: Hipster Scourge, Web Tube Length Video
Yihui “Cece” Jiao (USA), Blank, the Bird, Animation (Student)
