The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival Announces Award Winning Films
AWARDED $10,000 THROUGH STAND FOR THE ARTS AWARDS BY SPECTRUM AND OVATION TV
FEATURED ON NY1, DEADLINE, HYPERALLERGIC, GOTHAMIST, BROOKLYN MAGAZINE, BK READER, NEWS 12 BROOKLYN, PIX 11, NBC-4 AND MORE
November 8, 2023 (Brooklyn, NY) – The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) celebrated its 16th edition this year from October 25th – October 29th, screening over 125+ films from Brooklyn and around the world. The festival included live screenings hosted by Williamsburg Cinemas, an Opening Night Red Carpet Reception, presented by Spectrum with specialty cocktails by Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky, on October 25th at Brooklyn Borough Hall. For the third consecutive year, Johnnie Walker has been a proud sponsor of the Bushwick Film Festival, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing storytellers, championing diversity, and encouraging bold strides forward. Other festival events included a Movie Industry Conference held at Be Electric Studios featuring engaging panel discussions and a lively Sweet 16 Party at Lot 45.
The festival culminated with an award ceremony this past Sunday, October 29th where over 10 films and filmmakers received awards. The award winners told bold stories, embodied the independent spirit, and featured extraordinary characters that reveal tales of change, self-discovery, and transitions into new phases of life.
This year’s jurors included Theo Rigby, (Founder/Director, iNation Media ), Danelle Eliav (Producer, Menashe, and Omara), Melody C Roscher (Writer/Director/Producer, Martha Marcy May Marlene and White Wedding), Petra Ahmann (Executive Producer, Silverline Cinema), Amenya Makuku (Head of Development and Production with Courtney Lee Mitchell's 4TH Power Films (KINDRED with FX; in development on UNCATCHABLE with Apple and Appian Way)), Courtney Andrialis-Vincent (Former VP, Production Management for Warner Bros Discovery Sports & Bleacher Report), Niki Williams (Senior Manager, Production & Development, Nickelodeon), and Kweighbaye Kotee (producer, Starlit Pictures, BFF Founder)
Below is the full list of winners:
FEATURE NARRATIVE CATEGORY
Best Feature Narrative
Darla in Space
Director: Susie Moon, Eric Laplante
Special Jury Prize
Bittersweet
Director: Haroldo Borges
Honorable Mention
Playing Sam
Director: Ramon Felipe Pesante
SHORT NARRATIVE CATEGORY
Best Short Narrative
The Old Young Crow
Director: Liam LoPinto
Special Jury Prize
The Vacation
Director: Jarreau Carrillo
Honorable Mention
Bodies Will Tumble and Roll
Director: Eli Vazquez
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY
Best Feature Doc
Storming Caesar's Palace
Director: Hazel Gurland-Pooler
Special Jury Prize
Estamos Unidos
Director: Alvaro Manuel Morales
Honorable Mention
Esu and The Universe
Director: Thiago Zanato
SHORT SERIES CATEGORY
Best Series
Story of Godia
Director: Mouayed Zabtia
Special Jury Prize
Awesome
Director: Paul Munger
Honorable Mention
Monologue
Director: Nick Clifford, Stef Smith
During the Opening Night Ceremony, Ovation TV awarded the Bushwick Film Festival a $10,000 check through the Stand For The Arts Awards, a partnership with Spectrum that recognizes local arts, cultural, and educational organizations and programs. Since the initiative started in 2017, Ovation TV and Spectrum have given out 70 awards totaling $700,000 towards arts education. Bushwick Film Festival is one of 10 organizations receiving support in Spectrum markets across the country. Select arts organizations are awarded $10,000 Stand For The Arts contributions based on the following criteria: support of creatives and artists via community-driven programming; as advocates for equity and access to the arts; and for providing accessible spaces for creative expression.
(Photo Credit: Dexterity Productions)