DFF45 Award Recipients
45th Annual Festival honors The Holly, The Whale, Master of Light, The Quiet Girl and Nanny
The Denver Film Festival (DFF45) today announced the recipients of its annual Audience Awards and Festival Juried Awards in multiple categories following the conclusion of its 45th annual event held Nov. 2-13.
“This year’s DFF45 programming lineup was a pure reflection of our lives today and the countless challenges, as well as celebrations. Our team is incredibly proud of the diverse lineup that we were able to bring to our audiences and to now recognize the films and professionals who created and brought these stories and experiences to life,” said Denver Film Festival Artistic Director Matthew Campbell.
DFF45 Award Winners and Honorees:
Rare Pearl Award
THE WHALE
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Country: USA
Excellence in Acting Award
Raúl Castillo
Career Achievement Award
Sheila McCarthy
Excellence in Writing Award
Samuel D. Hunter
Stan Brakhage Vision Award
James Benning
Maria and Tomasso Maglione Italian Filmmaker Award
Mario Martone
DFF45 Audience Awards
The following films were recognized as the People’s Choice Award winners for the 45th Denver Film Festival by a tally of ballots.
Narrative Feature:
THE QUIET GIRL
Director: Colm Bairéad
Country: Ireland
Documentary Feature:
THE HOLLY
Director: Julian Rubinstein
Country: USA
Short Film:
THE FLAGMAKERS
Director: Cynthia Wade, Sharon Liese
Country: USA
Music:
HOLDFAST – FIND A WAY
Director: Ryan Frazee
Country: USA
Krzysztof Kieslowski Award for Best Feature Film
The Krzysztof Kieslowski Award is the Festival’s longest-running juried award and is awarded for best feature film.
Best Feature Film:
EO
Director: Jerzy Skolimowski
Country: Poland, Italy
Best Feature Film Jury Statement: “The jury would like to present the Krzysztof Kieslowski Award to a film that displays a tour-de-force demonstration of the visual possibilities of filmmaking while simultaneously evoking a kaleidoscope of emotions through an unusually stoic protagonist.”
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
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.
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
Best Documentary Jury Statement: “This was a tough deliberation as many of the films were on each juror’s favorites list. One film stood out for its beauty, its complexity, and its bravery in addressing difficult issues such as addiction and incarceration. We were also moved by the familial relationships and generational trauma portrayed in MASTER OF LIGHT.”
Special Mention Best Documentary:
THE GREAT BASIN
Director: Chivas DeVinck
Country: USA
Special Mention Best Documentary Jury Statement:
“This documentary has a quiet and contemplative approach and weaves together the many community stories that create a compelling picture of small-town America and how it faces big and small issues.”
Jurors:
Erika Dilday, Executive Director, American Documentary
Laurie Weltz, Film Fatales
Sean Charles, Manager of Development and Production for AllBlk
American Independent Award
American Independent Award Winner:
NANNY
Director: Nikyatu Jusu
Country: USA
This film is a part of DFF45’s Color of Conversation and is Presented by Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
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.”
American Independent Award Special Mention:
THE UNKNOWN COUNTRY
Director: Morissa Maltz
Country: USA
American Independent Award 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.”
Jurors:
Sujata Day, Writer/Director/Actor
Olivia Peace, Filmmaker
Natalie Metzger, Vanishing Angle, VP of Production & Development
Short Film Awards
Grand Jury Award:
ICE MERCHANTS
Director: João Gonzales
Country: Portugal, France, UK
The Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film Jury Statement:
“This film stood out as an emotionally-compelling film that uniquely expresses themes of companionship under isolation. As a visually striking animated short, it is exceptional for its technical prowess and deeply resonant emotional core.”
Liberty Global Best Student Domestic Short:
EL CARRITO
Director: Zahida Pirani
Country: USA
Best Student Domestic Short Jury Statement:
“The winner of the Liberty Global Award for Best Domestic Student Short tells a story of an underrepresented community. Driven by a protagonist often overlooked in our society, the film explores a layered, multi-dimensional depiction of working-class life that refuses to moralize or provide easy resolutions.”
Liberty Global Best Student International Short:
NOT THE 80S
Director: Marleen Valien
Country: Germany
Best International Student Short Jury Statement:
“This film initially presents itself as a romantic comedy but shows great ambition on a much larger scale. This short is emotionally grounded—and honest.”
Marilyn Marsh Saint-Veltri Award for Best Student Animation Short:
THE SEINE’S TEARS
Directors: Yanis Balaid, Eliott Benard, Nicolas Mayeur, Etienne Moulin, Hadrien Pinot, Lisa Vicente, Philippine Singer, Alice Letallieur
Country: France
Best Student Animated Short Jury Statement:
“This award goes to a visually dynamic film that balances the harsh realities of violence within a protest movement and reminds us that we can find joy, even in the darkest moments of history.”
Jurors:
Erin Farrell, Film Movement, Non-Theatrical & Educational Coordinator
Daniel Loria, Box Office Pro, SVP Content Strategy & Editorial Director
Samantha Housman, Producer
Music on Film – Film on Music Documentary Grant Awards (MOFFOM)
The MOFFOM Grant provides up to $20,000 annually in finishing funds for documentary productions specifically for music licensing, scoring, and composition.
2022 MOFFOM Grant Recipients
LEE FIELDS: FAITHFUL MAN
Lee Fields is a funk and soul legend, 50 years in the making. In this feature documentary, his journey to find his place in soul music history takes you from vinyl to virtual—and back again.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND YET?
Beyond the success and bombastic stage persona of Fantastic Negrito lies a 51-year-old survivor, hustler, and self-described ‘recovering narcissist’ named Xavier Dphrepaulezz. HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND YET?follows Xavier as he creates his newest album of the same title, laying bare his turbulent journey as he searches for truth, reconciliation, and healing.
SOUND OF THE SILENTS
From the first silent films to the present day, music has been inseparable from film. SOUND OF THE SILENTS is the untold history of this era and of the variety of people who played music at the movies.
Jurors:
Jonathan Palmer, Jury Lead – Senior Vice President, BMG Rights Management
Heather Guibert – Music Supervisor, Francium Enterprises
Loretta Munoz – Assistant Vice President, ASCAP
Bonnie Greenberg- Music Supervisor; President, Ocean Cities Entertainment, Inc.
Cate Fox Downy- Singer/Songwriter, APG
Amine Ramer – Music Supervisor, States of Sound
