FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Denver Film Media Contacts:

Marty Schechter, Alexandra Dunne, Jon Ewing, Heather Collins

November 16, 2022

marty@denverfilm.org, Alexandra@denverfilm.org, jon@denverfilm.org, heather@denverfilm.org


DENVER FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD RECIPIENTS FOR 45TH ANNUAL PROGRAM

Award winners Include: THE HOLLY, THE WHALE,
MASTER OF LIGHT, THE QUIET GIRL, EO, and NANNY

DENVER –

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

 

Denver Film’s year-round home, the Sie FilmCenter reopens Friday, Nov. 18 with a lineup that features some of the Best of DFF45 films including: 

HOLY SPIDER – Opens Friday Nov. 18

PLEASE BABY PLEASE – Opens Friday Nov. 18

BAD AXE – Opens Friday Nov. 18

THE INSPECTION – Opens Dec. 2

FOUR SAMOSAS – Opens Dec. 2

 

About Denver Film

Founded in 1978, Denver Film is a membership-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit cultural institution that produces film events throughout the year, including the award-winning Denver Film Festival and the popular summertime series Film on the Rocks. With a vision to cultivate community and transform lives through film, Denver Film provides opportunities for diverse audiences to discover film through creative, thought-provoking experiences. 

The permanent home of Denver Film, the Sie FilmCenter is Denver’s only year-round cinematheque, presenting a weekly-changing calendar of first-run exclusives and arthouse revivals, both domestic and foreign, narrative and documentary – over 600 per year, all shown in their original language and format. Denver Film’s one-of-a-kind programs annually reach more than 200,000 film lovers and film lovers-in-training.

 

2022 Denver Film Festival Sponsors:

MARQUEE: Anna and John J. Sie Foundation, Amazon, AOR, Barbara Bridges, Catering by Design, Denver Botanic Gardens, Liberty Global, Moye White, Sheila K. O’Brien, University of Denver Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures, Xfinity

SPOTLIGHT: Butler Rents, Caz Matthews, NPU Events, SeriesFest, William LaBahn

STUDIO: American Airlines

CAMEO: CORT, CFVA, Crested Butte Film Festival, Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Infinite Monkey Theorem, Newberry Brothers, Ratio Beerworks, Taloma Partners, The Family Jones, The Palm Group – Baird, TV5MONDE, Unrated Cab

PARTNERS: Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, Denver Arts & Venues, Ken’s Prints & Graphics, Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, The Color of Conversation

GOVERNMENT & FOUNDATIONS:

Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado Creative Industries, Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media, Consulate General of Canada, Consulate General of Ireland, Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD)

FILM: Ballard Spahr, Canada Now, Colorado Environmental Film Festival, GHP Investment Advisors, La Colombe, Parry, SAGindie, The Center for African American Health, Visit Denver  

MEDIA: 5280, CBS4, Denver Life, Pearl Street Marketing

 

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