45th Denver Film Festival Award Winners and Honorees

Audience Award
Narrative Feature: THE QUIET GIRL

Director: Colm Bairéad
Country: Ireland

Audience Award
Documentary Feature: THE HOLLY

Director: Julian Rubenstein
Country: USA

Audience Award
Short Film: THE FLAGMAKERS

Director: Cynthia Wade, Sharon Liese
Country: USA

Audience Award
Music Video: HOLDFAST - FIND A WAY

Director: Ryan Frazee
Country: USA

Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Best Feature Film
EO

Director: Jerzy Skolimowski
Country: Poland / Italy

The Krzysztof Kieslowski Award is the Festival’s longest-running juried award and is awarded for best feature film.

Jurors:

Stan Shields, Programming Manager, Seattle International Film Festival
Doug Jones, Independent Film Programmer
Molly Conners, CEO, Phiphen Pictures

Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary
MASTER OF LIGHT

This film is a part of DFF45’s Color of Conversation and is Presented by Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

Director: Rosa Ruth Boesten
Country: Netherlands / USA

Al Maysles was a long-time supporter and contributor to Denver Film Festival. It’s annual award for Best Documentary is presented in his name.

American Independent Award Jury Statement: “This film has a surprising and engaging storyline that risks new shapes with strong directorial choices, incredible performances, and effortless practical effects. Full of tension and suspense, this film effectively interweaves folklore with themes of immigration and socioeconomic disparity. It’s a brilliant calling card for all involved.”

Jurors:

Sujata Day, Writer/Director/Actor
Olivia Peace, Filmmaker
Natalie Metzger, Vanishing Angle, VP of Production & Development

Special Mention
THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY

Director: Morissa Maltz
Country: USA

Special Mention Jury Statement: “This beautiful and meditative film has a natural and lush filmmaking style and it made us think about what is important in life. A real, grounded story about a woman on an adventure is a transcendental experience that takes you on a journey of discovery.”

2022 MOFFOM Grant Recipients

The MOFFOM Grant provides up to $20,000 annually in finishing funds for documentary productions specifically for music licensing, scoring, and composition.