After enriching and interesting five days of film screenings, round-table discussions and Q&A sessions the 8th Edition of the International Filmmaker Festival of New York (IFFNY) came to an end on Tuesday, May 21 2019, with a closing ceremony where winners of various awards were announced.
Festival host and film director Dr. Amina Zhaman took the stage and stated that IFFNY has served to deepen international cinema and build the bridge of a universal language of cinema without borders.
The festival organizer Mrika Krasniqi, asserted the importance of IFFNY for independent filmmakers and young filmmakers.
“IFFNY is a positive step to connecting filmmakers from all around the world to have a platform where their art and creative vision matter. We support young and independent filmmakers and and want to give them a chance to showcase their film projects in New York City, the iconic center of arts,” said Mrika Krasniqi for NY Glamour Magazine.
The Red Carpet Opening Ceremony took place on Friday, May 17 2019, at Dolby Laboratory Theater featuring Special Guests, filmmakers, actors, artists and VIPs.
Sayoko Akutsu (Olsi Beci Photography)
The jury comprised of five prestigious members included: Jon Russell Cring, (President of the Jury); Ibër Deari (IFFNY Festival Selector); Maja Wampuszyc, Miranda Jean Larson, and Carlos Freire. The Grand Jury and Festival prizes were announced during the Awards Gala ceremony held on May 21 2019 at Dolby Laboratory Theater. The film screenings took place at the well-known Producers Club Theaters.
The big winner this year was the team of “Acre Dreams” grabbing the Best Director Award for Dani Wachsman, Best Production Award, Best Actor Award for Haitham Omari, nomination for Best Feature Film, and honorable mention for Festival Excellence Award for Jiries Copti.
THE WINNERS OF IFFNY 2019
1. Best Music video
Nominations:
–Leading me Straight by Burke Hefner – WINNER
-Drowning Karina Hilmer & Felix Backhaus
-Too Anastasia Lebedeva
2. Best Animation
Nominations:
-Trap by Paul James
–Hudson River by Vlash Drononiki – WINNER
-The Call by Anca Damian
3. Cinematography Award
Nominations:
-Moon Hotel Kabul by Anca Damian
-Ismael by Axel Cuevas de Chaunca – WINNER
-Elephant in the room by Chantelle Eidenbenz
4. Best Production Award
Nominations:
-Moon hotel Kabul by Anca Damian
–Acre Dreams by Dani Wachsman – WINNER
-GogolDoc by Alise Pavlovskaya
5. Best Short Documentary Film
Nominations:
-The traffic separating device by Johan Palmgen
–Space to explore by Katherine DuBois – WINNER
-Wallmapu by Ben Sturgulewski
6. Best Feature Documentary Film
Nominations:
1. GogolDoc by Alise Pavlovskaya – WINNER
2.Let’s Talk About Sex by Lisa Burd
3.Doda by Visar Vishka
GRAND JURY PRIZES:
7. Best Actress Award
Nominations:
–DORIS SCHEFER AS IRNA “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” – WINNER
-Nayeli Alarco “To Infinity”
-Gina Alajar “The Decaying”
8. Best Actor Award
Nominations:
-PAULO QUEVEDO AS RAUL “TO INFINITY”
-Eric Chantelauze “Kids with Guns”
–Haitham Omari “Acre Dreams” – WINNER
9. Best Short Film
Nominations:
–“ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” by Chanelle Eidenbenz – WINNER
-“To Infinity” by Gabriel Savodivker
-“On the Road” by Irdit Kaso
10. Best Feature Film
Nominations:
-“MOON HOTEL Kabul” by Anca Damian – WINNER
-“Acre Dreams” by Dani Wachsman
-“Kids with Guns” by Anthony Faure
GRAND FESTIVAL PRIZE:
11. Best Director Award:
-Dani Wachsman “Acre Dreams”
FESTIVAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS:
Honorable Mention:
-Sayoko Akutsu – Ofuku in Recognition of Excellence in Short Film
Honorable Mention:
-Jiries Copti – Acre Dreams
Honorable Mention:
-Jagraj Singh – Time to sleep in Recognition of Excellence in Short Music Video
Rising Star Award:
-Aaron Mak – Go Louie Go
Honorable Mention:
-Hareza Basha – DELETE In Recognition of Excellence in Short Film
Creative Innovation in Filmmaking Award:
-Mashroor Parvez – THE DOGS ILLUSION
Breakthrough Performance Award:
-Nico Falcone Georgiadis – WHOSE REALITY 2.0?
Creative Innovation in Filmmaking Award:
-Jamal Hodge – HAPPY DIVORCE
Photographer of the Year 2019:
-Liridona Gjokaj – Dona Photography
Historic Photographer of the Year 2019:
-Olsi Beci – Olsi Beci Photography
-Ivan Morales – Innovation Media New York
Excellence in Leadership Award:
Jon Russell Cring, Ibër Deari, Maja Wampuszyc, Miranda Jean Larson, Carlos Freire
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