2025 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES OFFERED BY: Brooklyn Film Society, Be Electric, Cinelease, Phygital FX, MPE, AbelCine, Media Services, Lentini Communications
Grand Chameleon Award
Mouse by Kenny Riches
Best Narrative Feature
Mouse by Kenny Riches
Best Documentary
Best Short Documentary
SALT by Alice Ward
Best Narrative Short
Dandelion by Fiona Obertinca
Best Animation
Humantis by Paris Baillie
Best Experimental
A is for Ant by Jack Davison
Best New Director
Tight Lines by Gagga Jonsdottir
Best Brooklyn Project
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
VIOLENT BUTTERFLIES by Adolfo Davila
Feature Documentary
Tight Lines by Gagga Jonsdottir
Short Documentary
Talking Drum by Alexandre Gougeon
Short Narrative
Pedigree by Kai Wen Hu
Experimental
Animation
The Death Of James by Sam Chou
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
Alice-Heart by Mike Macera
Feature Documentary
Roads Of Fire by Nathaniel Lezra
Short Documentary
Even In Darkness by Kitalé Wilson
Short Narrative
Brunch! by Matthew Farrell
Experimental
Animation
The 12 Inch Pianist by Lucas Ansel
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
Geneviève Gosselin-G. for Mercenaire
Screenplay
Marina Tempelsman & Niccolo Aeed for This Will Never Work
Cinematography
Federico Barbabosa for VIOLENT BUTTERFLIES
Editing
Spencer Browne for Even In Darkness
Style
Alex Loucas for Grey Scale
Original Score
Harkness for Harkness
Actor Female
Zana Berisha for Era
Actor Male
Mallo Breysse for Chico
2024 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with cash prizes, film products and services.
PRIZES OFFERED BY: Brooklyn Film Society, Jack Studios, Be Electric, Blue Table Post, Cinelease, Phygital FX, MPE, Media Services, AbelCine, Lentini Communications, Wythe Hotel, Bar Blondeau
Grand Chameleon Award
Atikamekw Suns by Chloé Leriche
Best Narrative Feature
Atikamekw Suns by Chloé Leriche
Best Documentary
Best Short Documentary
SHOTPLAYER by Sam Shainberg
Best Narrative Short
Blood Like Water by Dima Hamdan
Best Animation
Tomorrow by Aryasb Feiz
Best Experimental
Reanimations by Benjamin Bertram Goldman
Best New Director
Distancia by T.S. Meeks
Best Brooklyn Project
Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts by Shaun Seneviratne
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
Under my skin by Pascal Tessaud
Feature Documentary
All We Carry by Cady Voge
Short Documentary
My Queerceañera by Marcos Nieves
Short Narrative
Decision by Negar Ebnali
Experimental
Animation
Jus d’orange by Alexandre Athané
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
The Teacher by Farah Nabulsi
Feature Documentary
Small Town Universe by Katie Dellamaggiore
Short Documentary
Days of Hate by Oliver Shahery
Short Narrative
Bloqué by Miguel Ortiz
Experimental
Living Reality by Philip Thompson
Animation
MIRA by Eva Louise Hall
KidsFilmFest
Low Down Larry Versus the Giant Reptile by Sammy Verni
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
WILLIAM ANDREW WEN, ZOE XUE & LULU LU for Garden In The Sky
Screenplay
Kathy Meng & Harry Bacon for Willow and Wu
Cinematography
PETRUS CARIRY for Heavier Is The Sky
Editing
Chiara Marotta for Z.O. (Eastern Zone)
Style
LIANNE SONIA WALDEN for Dérive
Original Score
Dan Deacon for A Body Called Life
Actor Female
MITZI AKAHA for CHAPERONE
Actor Male
Naim Bakhtiar for Dom Juan
2023 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES OFFERED BY: Brooklyn Film Society, Blue Table Post, Cinelease, Xeno Lights, AbelCine, Be Electric, MPE, Media Services, Lentini Communications, Papapietro Perry Wine, Wythe Hotel, Bar Blondeau, Noble Jewelry
Grand Chameleon Award
Ciela by Mauricio Sierra
Best Narrative Feature
Coyote by Katherine Jerkovic
Best Documentary
Best Short Documentary
Best Narrative Short
Ciela by Mauricio Sierra
Best Animation
TULPA by Paris Baillie
Best Experimental
Vision of Paradise by Leonardo Pirondi
Best New Director
Cherubs by Anne-Sophie Bine
Best Brooklyn Project
A Body Appeared at the Lake Today by Brian Ratigan
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
PRATFALL by Alex Andre
Feature Documentary
Short Documentary
Nina & Irena by Daniel Lombroso
Short Narrative
Rabobesto – Or How I Saved a Monster by Mari Mantela
Experimental
Archivia by Ross Wilson
Animation
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
Forgive Me Father by James Biberi
Feature Documentary
Copyright Infringement by David Sabshon
Short Documentary
Hope You Fail by Alison Grasso
Short Narrative
Experimental
The Absurdity of The Black Female Experience by Vanessa Magic
Animation
Buon Ferragosto by Claudia Miatello
KidsFilmFest
Spacepup by Abbie Bacilla
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
Apollo Bakopoulos for Aligned
Screenplay
Reema Maya for Nocturnal Burger
Cinematography
Shady Hanna for Junglefowl
Editing
Brittany Kaplan for Sweetheart Deal
Style
Gerald Alan Decker for Cul-De-Sac
Original Score
Kristoffer Lo for Moosa Lane
Actor Female
Brenda Cullerton for Endless Sea
Actor Male
Jorge Martinez Colorado for Coyote
2022 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES OFFERED BY: Upper Market Gallery, Brooklyn Film Society, Blue Table Post, Cinelease, Xeno Lights, AbelCine, Be Electric, MPE, Final Draft, Media Services, Lentini Communications, Papapietro Perry Wine, Noble Jewelry
Grand Chameleon Award
POUR L’AMOUR by ANDRZEJ MAŃKOWSKI
Best Feature Narrative
POUR L’AMOUR by ANDRZEJ MAŃKOWSKI
Best Feature Documentary
FROM THE HOOD TO THE HOLLER by PAT MCGEE
Best Short Documentary
KEYS TO THE CITY by IAN MOUBAYED
Best Short Narrative
ACT OF GOD by SPENCER COOK and PARKER SMITH
Best Animation
MY YEAR OF DICKS by SARA GUNNARRSDÓTTIR and PAMELA RIBON
Best Experimental
DREAM CHILD by LEAH BROWN
Best New Director
SIGNS OF LOVE by CLARENCE FULLER
Best Brooklyn Project
LEON’S FANTASY CUT by JOSH CARAS and JON VALDE
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
WELCOME, VIOLETA! by FERNANDO FRAIHA
Feature Documentary
MERRY CHRISTMAS, YIWU by MLADEN KOVACEVIC
Short Documentary
NOAH by MONTY MARSH
Short Narrative
MOVER by JACKSON JARVIS
Experimental
BEEF by BRENDON KINGSBURY and SEAN WEBLEY
Animation
THE BROTHER MIKE TAPES by RODD PERRY and MIKE COHEN
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
LEON’S FANTASY CUT by JOSH CARAS and JON VALDE
Feature Documentary
DROWNING IN SILENCE by CHEZIK TSUNODA
Short Documentary
MY OWN COLORS by BRENDA ELIZABETH
Short Narrative
EL CARRITO by ZAHIDA PIRANI
Experimental
I’M AT HOME by PHILIP THOMPSON
Animation
BETWEEN LINES by SARAH BETH MORGAN
KidsFilmFest
IT’S ALRIGHT, DAD by LYNN DOW
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
ALONA METZER for LEARN TO SWIM
Screenplay
AMELIE BONNIN & DIMITRI LUCAS for BYE BYE
Cinematography
AKZHOL BEKBOLOTOV & MURAT ALIYEV for SHAMBALA
Editing
FAUSTINE CROS for RANDOM PATROL
Style
EM JOHNSON for BALLOON ANIMAL
Original Score
MICHAEL BACON & XAVIER MUZIK for FREE RENTY: LANIER V. HARVARD
Actor Female
ZOË BLEU for SIGNS OF LOVE
Actor Male
EDDIE CRADDOCK for RAGGED HEART
2021 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES SPONSORED BY: Brooklyn Film Society, Sobre Vista Resort, Blue Table Post, Xeno Lights, AbelCine, Be Electric, Final Draft, MPE, Media Services, Papapietro Perry, Lentini Communications, Noble Jewelry
Grand Chameleon Award
SEIVA BRUTA (UNDER THE HEAVENS) by GUSTAVO MILAN
Best Feature Narrative
CORRAL by MARCELO BRENNAND
Best Feature Documentary
LIFE & LIFE by NC HEIKIN
Best Short Documentary
MAKE HIM KNOWN by RUDY VALDEZ
Best Short Narrative
SEIVA BRUTA (UNDER THE HEAVENS) by GUSTAVO MILAN
Best Animation
THE GREAT MALAISE by CATHERINE LEPAGE
Best Experimental
OUR MINE by SHAYNA STRYPE
Best New Director
GOSSAMER FOLDS by LISA DONATO
Best Brooklyn Project
LITTLE PAKISTAN – FUTURE HISTORIES by SANA AKRAM
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
WALK WITH ME by ISABEL DEL ROSAL
Feature Documentary
AND SO I STAYED by NATALIE PATTILLO and DANIEL A. NELSON
Short Documentary
THE MOUNTAIN & THE MAIDEN by SHMUEL HOFFMAN and ANTON VON HEISELER
Short Narrative
THE TANK by MOJTABA POURABDOLLAH
Experimental
PERFECT AS CATS by KEVIN VU
Animation
THE BROKEN CANDLE by FELIX KINER
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
KRINGLE TIME by MATTHEW LUCAS
Feature Documentary
AND SO I STAYED by NATALIE PATTILLO and DANIEL A. NELSON
Short Documentary
LITTLE BERLIN by KATE MCMULLEN
Short Narrative
THE GOLDFISH by ASHLEY PAIGE BRIM
Experimental
OUR MINE by SHAYNA STRYPE
Animation
OPEN MIC by JONATHAN ROSEN
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
NATHAN FOLBRECHT for QUEENS OF PAIN
Screenplay
JOE BOLOGNA, JOS LANIADO, CLAUDIO LANIADO for TANGO SHALOM
Cinematography
SURESH DESHMANE for KALOKHACHYA PARAMBYA [PROP SHOOTS OF DARKNESS]
Editing
ROBERT CARTER for INTO THE LIGHT
Style
MATTHEW LUCAS for KRINGLE TIME
Original Score
GRACE MCLEAN for OUR MINE
Actor Female
BRIDGET BARKAN for WALK WITH ME
Actor Male
BENNY ELLEDGE for KRINGLE TIME
Red Carpet Competition: FIRST PLACE: Shayna Strype * SECOND PLACE: Kringle Time * THIRD PLACE: Alexandre Desane
2020 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES SPONSORED BY: ABELCINE, XENO LIGHTS, BE ELECTRIC, SOBRE VISTA RESORT, WNET, REEL 13, MPE, FINAL DRAFT, LENTINI COMMUNICATIONS, MEDIA SERVICES, NOBLE JEWELRY, THE POD, PAPAPIETRO PERRY WINERY, BROOKLYN FILM SOCIETY
Grand Chameleon Award
INTO THE STORM [EN LA TORMENTA] by ADAM BROWN
Best Feature Narrative
OUR OWN by JEANNE LEBLANC
Best Feature Documentary
INTO THE STORM [EN LA TORMENTA] by ADAM BROWN
Best Short Documentary
EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY by MALCOLM RIZZUTO and SPENCER GARRISON
Best Short Narrative
STICKER by GEORGI M. UNKOVSKI
Best Animation
KING OF THE HOUSE by ZIGE ZHANG
Best Experimental
THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE by GARRY STEWART
Best New Director
HIGHER LOVE by HASAN OSWALD
Best Brooklyn Project
SUMMER IN THE CITY by MOJO LORWIN
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
SUFFOCATION by KENYA MáRQUEZ
Feature Documentary
HIGHER LOVE by HASAN OSWALD
Short Documentary
SUNDAYS AT THE TRIPLE NICKEL by JESSICA COLQUHOUN
Short Narrative
IDOL by ALEX WU
Experimental
SUITE AFTER THE FURIES by KEVIN MCGLOUGHLIN
Animation
PITCH BLACK PANACEA by TOM HARDIMAN
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
MACABRE by MARCOS PRADO
Feature Documentary
INTO THE STORM [EN LA TORMENTA] by ADAM BROWN
Short Documentary
THEY by LOUISA RECHENBACH
Short Narrative
THE PRESENT by FARAH NABULSI
Experimental
INHUMAN LOVE by ADAM HAYES and NICK HAYES
Animation
WADE by UPAMANYU BHATTACHARYYA and KALP SANGHVI
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
RODRIGO RÍOS LEGASPI for BEFORE OBLIVION
Screenplay
MORGAN INGARI for MILKWATER
Cinematography
VINCENT BIRON for I’LL END UP IN JAIL
Editing
MACIEJ DRUNO SOSNOWSKI for ROTTEN EARS
Style
ASHLEY EAKIN for SINGLE
Original Score
XIAO ZHUANG MA for THE JOURNEY OF MURDER
Actor Female
SUSANA ALCANTARA for WOMAN WITHOUT A CHILD
Actor Male
KYLE CHEN for IDOL
2019 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES SPONSORED BY: AbelCine, Xeno Lights, NYC Camera Company, Be Electric, MPE, G-Star, Final Draft, Lentini, Media Services, Noble Jewelry, Blue Table Post, Brooklyn Film Society
Grand Chameleon Award
SANCTUARY by ANDREA CORDOBA
Best Feature Narrative
BETWEEN TWO SEAS by ANAS TOLBA
Best Feature Documentary
SANCTUARY by ANDREA CORDOBA
Best Short Documentary
ONE LEG IN, ONE LEG OUT by LISA RIDEOUT
Best Short Narrative
PROOF by NISHTHA JAIN and DEEPTI GUPTA
Best Animation
RAYMONDE OR THE VERTICAL ESCAPE by SARAH VAN DEN BOOM
Best Experimental
IN THIS LIFE by BAT-SHEVA GUEZ
Best New Director
STRAY by DUSTIN FENELEY
Best Brooklyn Project
DEBBIE DOES DILATORS by SAVANNAH MAGRUDER
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
COLLISIONS by RICHARD LEVIEN
Feature Documentary
SILENT FORESTS by MARIAH WILSON
Short Documentary
THE CLINIC by ELIVIA SHAW
Short Narrative
TRACKS by SOPHIE THOUVENIN
Experimental
ROSIE ROSE by CAMILLE DE GALBERT
Animation
TANGLE by MALIHE GHLOAMZADEH
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
ABOVE THE SHADOWS by CLAUDIA MYERS
Feature Documentary
REGGAE BOYZ by TILL SCHAUDER
Short Documentary
ETHAN 2018 by ALEXIS NEOPHYTIDES
Short Narrative
OUTER SPACE LOVE STORY by IVA GOCHEVA
Experimental
REMISSION by JOHN CHARTER
Animation
FRIDGE by EUGENE KOLB
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
SARAH PIROZEK for #LIKE
Screenplay
MARIAM NAOUM for BETWEEN TWO SEAS
Cinematography
SOL MIRAGLIA for LUISITA PHOTO STUDIO
Editing
ASH WATSON for USE ME
Style
SASKIA RIFKIN for MAD
Original Score
BEVANO EST for ONLY GOOD THINGS
Actor Female
MOLLIE COWEN for 3 SLEEPS
Actor Male
JESSE GARCIA for COLLISIONS
2018 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with products, services, and cash.
PRIZES SPONSORED BY: Abelcine, Xeno Lights, NYC Camera Company, Be Electric, Cinecall Soundtracks, MPE, Media Services, Noble Jewelry, Sobrevista Resort, Bluetablepost, Bric, Brooklyn Film Society.
GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD
BREACH by LORENZO MONTI
Best Feature Narrative
NOSOTROS by FELIPE VARA DE REY
Best Feature Documentary
AFGHAN CYCLES by SARAH MENZIES
Best Short Documentary
GIVE by DAVID DE ROZAS
Best Short Narrative
COUNTERFEIT KUNKOO by REEMA SENGUPTA
Best Animation
LA MORT, PERE & FILS by VINCENT PARONNAUD
Best Experimental
BREACH by LORENZO MONTI
Best New Director
BROTHERS by BRAM SCHOUW
Best Brooklyn Project
ONE BEDROOM by DARIEN SILLS-EVANS
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
ICE CREAM by SABA RIAZI
Feature Documentary
STREET FIGHTING MEN by ANDREW JAMES
Short Documentary
CRISANTO STREET by PALOMA MARTINEZ
Short Narrative
BONOBO by ZOEL AESCHBACHER
Experimental
GENESIS by ABTIN MOZAFARI
Animation
LES ANIMAUX DOMESTIQUES by JEAN LECOINTRE
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
GENESIS by NOOR FAY GHARZEDDINE
Feature Documentary
MY NAME IS PEDRO by LILLIAN LASALLE
Short Documentary
DAVID’S VOICE by GRAHAM HILL
Short Narrative
CASUALTIES by HOLLY VOGES
Experimental
DUPPY by JUSTIN MORRIS
Animation
HI-FIVE THE CACTUS by CHRISTOPHER THOMAS
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
MICHAEL ANGELO ZERVOS & LUKE SHIROCK for TOMMY BATTLES THE SILVER SEA DRAGON
Screenplay
MARINA MICHELSON for BIOPHILIA
Cinematography
VLADIMIR EGOROV for FAITH
Editing
ROMANY MALCO JR for PRISON LOGIC
Style
WENDY MALCOLM for BIRDS WITHOUT FEATHERS
Original Score
SIMON TAUFIQUE for ARE YOU GLAD I’M HERE
Actor Female
LAURA ESTERMAN for CAN HITLER HAPPEN HERE?
Actor Male
ROMANY MALCO for PRISON LOGIC
2017 WINNERS
Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, the Brooklyn Film Festival awards the winners with a total of $60,000 in prizes (products, services, and cash).
PRIZES SPONSORED BY: NYC Camera Company, Abelcine, Xeno Lights, Media Services, G-Star, Cinecall Soundtracks, Windmill Studios NYC, Noble Jewelry, Brooklyn Film Society
GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD
LUPE UNDER THE SUN by RODRIGO REYES
Best Feature Narrative
LUPE UNDER THE SUN by RODRIGO REYES
Best Feature Documentary
A CAMBODIAN SPRING by CHRIS KELLY
AN INSIGNIFICANT MAN by KHUSHBOO RANKA & VINAY SHUKLA
Best Short Documentary
THE FOURTH KINGDOM by ALEX LORA & ADAN ALIAGA
Best Short Narrative
WATU WOTE: All of Us by KATJA BENRATH
Best Animation
TANGO by PEDRO GIONGO & FRANCISCO GUSSO
Best Experimental
COOKING WITH CONNIE by STAVIT ALLWEIS
Best New Director
EL REVENGE by FERNANDO FRAIHA
Brooklyn Pride Award
SWEET PARENTS by DAVID BLY
Spirit Awards
Feature Narrative
SHUT UP ANTHONY by KYLE EATON
Feature Documentary
MANIC by KALINA BERTIN
Short Documentary
SCRAP by CHRISTIAN FILIPPONE
Short Narrative
RHONNA & DONNA by DAINA ONIUNAS-PUSIC
Experimental
EXQUISITE CORPS by MITCHELL ROSE
Animation
PANIC ATTACK by EILEEN O’MEARA
Audience Awards
Feature Narrative
THE SOUNDING by CATHERINE EATON
Feature Documentary
DISCO’D by MATTHEW SIRETTA
Short Documentary
ASHLEY ASHLEY by TED SANANMAN
Short Narrative
PUNCHLINE by CHRISTOPHE SABER
Experimental
LIVE YOUR LIGHT by JENDRA JARNAGIN
Animation
COIN OPERATED by NICHOLAS ARIOLI
Certificates of Outstanding Achievement
Producer
ESTELLE ARTUS & FRANCES BOXE for ACCORDING TO HER
Screenplay
SLOAN COPELAND for LIFE HACK
Cinematography
VEDAT ÖZDEMIR for RAUF
Editing
JOANNA NAUGLE for KATE CAN’T SWIM
Style
CATHERINE EATON for THE SOUNDING
Original Score
DAN VEKSLER for ACCORDING TO HER
Actor Female
GOLAB ADINEH for THE SIS
Actor Male
JOSH HELMAN for KATE CAN’T SWIM