The IndieFEST is proud to announce the latest winners. Congratulations to all the filmmakers who participated in the current season!The awards go to those filmmakers who produce fresh, standout entertainment and compelling documentaries. The IndieFEST is a top-tier international awards competition. It honors professionals, established and emerging, who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity. The goal of The IndieFEST is to help the winners of this coveted award achieve the recognition they deserve. Additionally, each year IndieFEST also bestows a special award to productions that make significant contributions to social change or a humanitarian effort. Please visit www.TheIndieFEST.com to learn more about the IndieFEST Humanitarian Award.

~ Best of Show ~

J.R. Poli - Marcus  

J.R. Poli, Chicor Cheet (USA), Marcus, Film Short – A group of men struggle with a life changing decision. They find themselves on different sides of an argument that could possibly lead to a tragic ending. An emotional journey through Marcus’s contemplation of his world – controlled by the voices in this head and feeling let down by life at every turn. Deftly directed by Poli (Watching Spielberg Read Your Script, FightZone Presents) with moody lighting, a sharp script and an emotive music bed. The film is driven by a compelling and achingly authentic performance by lead actor Owen Miller (Graceland, Burn Notice). Cast members Keldrick Mobley, Don-Dimitri Joseph and Emerald Miller deliver genuine portrayals of characters that bring Marcus’s story to life. Produced by Jose Luis Martinez of Atomic Digital Media.

~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~ 

Michael B. Chait (USA), Untamed Tongue, African-American – Telly-award winner Chait creates a moving “reaction piece” to social injustice and how the black citizen’s image has been misshapen into one of criminality. Stripped down sets and stunning lighting support the raw emotion of the actors. Stars Lance Newton (Cedar Rapids, Chicago Fire).

Barbara Kopple, Cabin Creek Films (USA), This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous, Film Feature – One family’s acceptance is tested when a champion diver announces he’s transitioning into a woman and invites his YouTube followers along for every moment. Touching and meaningful by two-time Oscar-winner Kopple, it stars internet sensation GiGi Gorgeous.

Robert H. Lieberman (USA), Angkor Awakens, Doc Feature – A moving and eye-opening psychological portrait of Cambodia decades after a devastating genocide now poised at a cultural tipping point.  Interviews with strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen, families of the victims and hopeful youth support this exceptionally crafted documentary.

Michael Maschina (Austria), Jonah, Islamic – A gut wrenching journey drawing parallels between refugees fleeing Austria in 1943 and refugees trying to reach Austria in 2015.  Tied together by the parable of Jonah and shot from the characters POV – the audience is an intimate part of the journey of hopes raised and destroyed. Poignant and current.

Venkat Prabhu (India), Masha Allah…Ganesha, Film Short – A Muslim family is forced to take refuge in a Hindu temple during riots sparking a reflection of tradition. “Religion is a way of life – but it has become politics to many”. Skillful direction by Prabhu, music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, editing by K.L.Praveen. Stars Sampath Raj.

Daniel Bydlowski (USA), Bullies, Film short – Eugene is a shy 10-year-old boy who is constantly tormented in school. One day he discovers a secret that could keep him safe for the rest of his life, if he’s willing to pay the price. Kaden Hetherington, Fred Ornstein, Weston Nathanson, Stephen Holland, Michael Edwin, Conrad Bluth, Nick Alvarez, Jordan Powell.

Andy Gershenzon (USA), Half Empty Half Full, Film Feature – Four friends with one secret that will change everything. A dinner devolves into a nightmare of jealousy and lies. A nuanced script and convincing performances by Andy Gershenzon ((not) Brothers), Maria Thayer(Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Mia Barron (Law and Order), Stark Sands(Minority Report).

Dave Moppert (USA), Pendleton Road, Film Short – A true story. On her way home from school Naila Ramirez encounters two bullies who’s actions spark off tragic happenings. Authentic and chilling with genuine performances. Stars Danny James (Guns, Girls and Gambling) and introducing young Sasha Oman.

Evan Huang (Taiwan), Chicken. Egg., LGBT, Social Justice – A search for meaning and clarity amongst the traditional structures of religion and society. One man’s journey for truth and meaning among churches, sexuality and chickens. Creative cinematography and unique set designs highlight the trepidation of the protagonist on his quest.

Babis Galanakis (Greece), Eri & Tasos – If I Thought, Wedding Video – A unique style with a fresh perspective and creative cinematography produces a movie-like experience and twist on a traditional wedding video. Stylistic, inspired and beautiful images with an emotional voice over by the couple in their own words.

 

~ Award of Excellence ~ 

Adam White and Kara Martinelli (USA), The Restorers Episode 1: Living History, Television – Program / Series

Arnab Chatterjee (India), Unsaid, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Barabás Árpád and Fazakas Szabolcs (Romania), The Milky Way, Animation

Brandon Doo (USA), THE TRUTH, Actor: Leading (Student) (Pavel Slanina as Sean)

Cam McHarg (USA), Deer Season, Actor: Leading (Cam McHarg as Blaine)

Carlos Moreno Jr. (USA), Sweet Blight, Film Short

Daniel Bydlowski (USA), Bullies, Children / Family Programming

Dave Jingo, Ted Bowersox and Eric Loughry (USA), Timeless Rivals, Documentary Feature

David  Ferry jr (USA), The Garden, Film Feature

Emanuele Michetti (USA), Yellow Water, Experimental

Evan Huang (Taiwan), Chicken. Egg, LGBT, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Gorune Aprikian (France), JUST A FLING, Actress: Leading (Fanny Valette as Alex)

Guido Verelst (Belgium), Skai Blue, LGBT

Isaac Kerlow (Singapore), HAZE, It’s Complicated…, Documentary Feature

James Higginson (Germany), Devout, Christian

Jillian Dudley (USA), Zula the Infinite, Film Short

John Harris (New Zealand), Prequel’87, Film Short

José Esteban Pavlovich Salido ( (Mexico), Bea, Film Short

Korey Rowe (USA), Mile Marker, Documentary Feature

Kyle Portbury (Australia), Tell the World Ep 2, Christian, Special Purpose Productions, Web Series

Luke Schuetzle (USA), Wunderland, Actor: Leading (Steven Luke as Lt. Cappa)

Michael Maschina (Austria), Jonah, Actress: Leading (Daniela Mutavofa as Syrian Woman)

Michael Sanchez (USA), DestroyXFire, Television – Pilot Program

Michael Wong (China/Malaysia), The Story of 90 Coins, Asian

Nagham Abboud, Alekson Lacerda and Miriam Velasco (Ireland), Writing Home, Film Feature (Student)

Nicole Castillo (USA), The Last Protestor, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Pamela Bob and Garth Kravits (USA), Livin’ On a Prairie, Television – Program / Series

Paul Kelly (USA), Final Polish, Actress: Leading (Judith Roberts as Claire)

Rebecca Shapiro (USA), For Muriel, Film Short, Women Filmmakers

Ryan K. McNeal (USA), Desert Rose, Film Short

Sabine El Gemayel, Zapped Productions (USA), Generation Zapped, Documentary Feature, Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery, Women Filmmakers, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising

Sam Bozzo (USA), No More Secrets, Film Short

Santiago C. Tapia and Jessica Curtright (USA), It Began Without Warning, Film Short, Latin / Hispanic, Women Filmmakers

Siva Nageswara Rao (India), THIRST, Film Short

Stefan Kjær Olsen (Denmark), The Debt, Film Feature

Stewart  Sugg (United Kingdom), Slaughterbots, Film Short

Tim Gray (USA), Journey Home to the USS Arizona, Documentary Feature

Xibei Hu (USA), Escape, Asian (Student)

 ~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~ 

Asia LeMasters (USA), EVOKE, LGBT

Barry Cobbs (USA), Roadside Attorney, Film Short

Bill Wisneski (USA), LIT Program Commercial, Commercial / Infomercial

Brett Kodama (USA), Heartseeker, Asian

Chiara Provenzano (Ireland), T for True, Actress: Leading (Student) (Meltem Bayir)

David Mandell (USA), Tea Time With Mr. Patterson, Film Short, Direction, Actor: Supporting (David Mandell as Mr. Patterson), Cinematography, Script / Writer

Gabriela Ledesma (USA), Blue, Actress: Leading (Callie Schuttera as Helen Daniels)

Hosam Abu Dan and Pam Bailey (Gaza, Palestine/ USA), Six Miles Out, Documentary Short

James and Sara Meyer, GemStone Media (Germany), The Kingdom, Movie Trailer

Jessica O’Hara-Baker (USA), The Green Lotto, Actress: Leading (Mouna R’miki as Kareema)

Kevin Forde (United Kingdom), The Awakening, Film Short

Kevin Hu (USA), Yorktown, Film Short

Lizzie Logan (USA), People People, Women Filmmakers

Lori Alan and Fia Perera (USA), Do The Voice, Actress: Leading (Lori Alan as Lori Alan)

Michelle Leigh (USA), More Than Only, Women Filmmakers

Mike Baran (Germany), Holy Spirit, Original Score (Richard Dana Laughlin)

Missy Malek (United Kingdom), Laughing Branches, Actress: Leading (Student) (Missy Malek as Alex Page)

Paul Kelly (USA), Final Polish, Actress: Supporting (Ching Valdes-Aran as Anna), Film Short

Sharon Lewis (Canada), BROWN GIRL BEGINS, African American

Tom Murtagh (USA), The Ascent, Film Feature

 

 ~ Award of Merit ~ 

Aitor Aspe (Spain), The Golden Ball, Film Feature

Alexander Malt (USA), Disillusioned, Television – Program / Series

Anjini Taneja Azhar (USA), Third Option, Film Short

Ari Davis (USA), Sex.Sound.Silence, Film Feature

Benjamin Owen, Border Watch Films (USA), Operation Dynamo, Christian

Boyoung Kim (USA), The Reason to Live, Documentary Short (Student)

Brian Hurwitz (USA), Little President, Television – Pilot Program (Student)

Bryant Robinson (USA), Some Porn Stars Go To Heaven, Documentary Feature

Cameron Barrett (USA), Drowning Is Silent – Murrieta, Educational / Instructional / Training and Los Angeles Fire Department RT130 Training – Engine Boss Preparation, Training / Industrial Productions and Every 15 Minutes – Calistoga 2017, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Women Filmmaker and Get Low and Go – MySafe:California, Educational / Instructional / Training, Special Effects: Animation

Carlie Casey (USA), Are You There God? It’s Me Margot, Webisode

Casey Denaro (USA), CARL, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Charging Moose Media (USA), The Hunted: Encore – Season 2, Web Series

Chris and Maurice Micallef, CMM Productions (Malta), KANNIZZATI FISHING, Documentary Short, Research, Cinematography

Clyde Baldo (USA), The Office Party, Film Short

Connor Hough (USA), Pennsylvania Guy Like Me, Film Short

David Cinnella (Italy), TEK, Film Feature

David Mandell (USA), Tea Time With Mr. Patterson, Actress: Leading (Ivy George as Lucy)

David Schifter and Darrell Rackley (USA), The Rack Pack, Children / Family Programming

Deejay Williams (New Zealand), High Tide, Film Short

Dominique LeClair (USA), Carry on Little Sis, Disability Issues (Student)

Dominique Nieves and Shae D’Lyn (USA), A Nice Guy, Film Short

E-Kan Soong (USA), No Laughing Matter: Tears of a Clown, Film Short

Eric Ayala (USA), If I Should Die Before I Wake, Original Score (Eric and Steve O’Connell)

Eric Rich (USA), Majestyk, Film Short (Student)

Farhaan Aziz (United Kingdom), The Chaos Candidate: How Trump Won, Documentary Feature

Forrest Tuff (USA), Released, Documentary Short

Gabriela Ledesma (USA), Blue, Women Filmmakers

Galo Recalde (USA), Americana!, Film Short

Hayden Flynn (Australia), Till Death Do Us Part, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Hector Suñol (Catalonia/Spain), REFERENDUM, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Ian Down (USA), The Truth About Carl Jennings, Film Short|

Ingrid Nachstern and Luca Truffarelli,Night Star Dance Company (Ireland), Shoe Horn/Office, Experimental

Jack Nordstrom (USA), Old Bloo, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

James and Sara Meyer, GemStone Media (Germany), The Kingdom, Film Feature, Cinematography, Actor: Leading (Labinot Raci as Fatmir)

James Boss (South Korea), Redemption, Film Short and Eternity, Film Short

Jennifer Hulum (USA), Fortune Defies Death, Film Feature

Jessica O’Hara-Baker (USA), The Green Lotto, Women Filmmakers

Jonas Banks (USA), Nothing Like The Sun, Film Short (Student)

Kailin Gow (USA), The Red Queen of Bitter Frost, Women Filmmakers and A New Year’s Story, Children / Family Programming

Kassandra Kanaar (USA), How To Say I’m Sorry, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Katie Walsh (USA), Surfing to Cope, Documentary Short

Katie Theel (USA), Marie, Disability Issues (Student)

Kelly Nicole Foundation (USA), I Want You to Hear Me: The Kelly Nicole Story, Documentary Short

Kevin Bowe (USA), Democracy Through the Looking Glass, Documentary Feature

Kristin Zimney (USA), Diego, Documentary Short (Student)

Kyle Glasow (USA), Awake, Actor: Leading (Kyle Glasow as Adam)

Lauren Meyering (USA), Foolish Smarts and How to Lose Them, Film Short (Student)

Lexi Balestrieri and Rob Coggin (USA), NS404 (Provenance), Film Feature

Linda Bagalini (Italy), Not Enough. Too Much, Women Filmmakers

Lisa Boyd (USA), An American Tragedy, Direction

Lorena Lourenco (USA), Joy, Women Filmmakers

Lori Alan and Fia Perera (USA), Do The Voice, Television – Pilot Program, Original Song (I Still Got It, Music & Lyrics by Jeff Thomson and Jeremy Desmon)

Marisa Echeverria (USA), Los AnJealous, Web / Internet Programming

Mei-yi Cheng, Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), The Light in a Dark Night, Educational / Instructional / Training

Mele Mason (USA), HOME? A Study of Foster Care, Documentary Short

Michael Weatherly (USA), Jamaica Man, Documentary Feature

Michael T. Nguyen (USA), Munkey in The City, Web Series

Mike Baran (Germany), Holy Spirit, Film Feature

Mike James (USA), Smiley’s, Film Short

Mitch Hudson (USA), Technicolour Daydream, Film Feature

Mrigank Dubey (India), You and Me, Film Short

Myra Sanchez (USA), Chloe, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Nathaniel Lezra (USA), In Echo Park, Film Feature

Neil P. George (United Kingdom), Crossroads, Documentary Feature

Parag Vijra (India), Sikkim- More than what one Knows, On-Camera Talent (Ms. Ankita Sood)

Rachael Meyers (USA), Zoe+Ari, LGBT

Randy Kerr (USA), Brothers, Christian

Richard Kranzin (Germany), In beating cells, LGBT (Student)

RJ Frometa (Dominican Republic), The Man in Constant Sorrow, Film Short (Student)

Sam Crainich (USA), River, LGBT (Student)

Spencer Henry Williams, Humber College Lakeshore (Canada), The Locket, Actress: Leading (Student) (Kelly Whyte as Saoirse)

Spike Mayer and Ivan Janner (USA), OUT, Film Short

St. Juju Productions (USA), Forgive Me, Music Video

Theodore Tzartos (Greece), Honda Road Trips Italy 2017, Documentary Short

Tim Quinn (USA), Tapferkeit, Film Short

Ting Li (China), It’s me, Children / Family Programming (Student)

Treavion Davenport (USA), Living for the Sacrifice: A Hood Hero’s Guide to Success, Documentary Feature

Usher Morgan (USA), Pickings, Film Feature

Vahan Bedelian (USA), Jacob and Malika, Islamic

Vasco Diogo (Portugal), anexperimentalviralvlog – the movie remix # !, Experimental

Wataru Tomita (Japan), The Man with the Winged Tiger, Film Feature (Student)

Weston Walker (USA), Full Circle Project, Documentary Short

Wijnand Geraerts (Netherlands), Adore The World, Experimental

Will Nordstrom (USA), In The Trees, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

William H. Adams (USA), Refuge, Christian

Yuval Shrem (USA), The Babies, Film Short

 

 ~ Award of Recognition ~ 

Aimee Hoffman (USA), A Day with the Bahnar, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Alicia Herder (USA), Diego on my Mind, Latin / Hispanic

Amr Al-Hariri (USA), Silent Love Stories – I, Television – Pilot Program

Angelena Bonet (Australia), Change The World, Music Video

Ashton Govens (USA), Sneaker Kickz, Documentary Short (Student)

Avantika Khattri (India), For All That You Are, Women Filmmakers

Bahar Behbahani (USA), Where She Is, Women Filmmakers

Bell The Cat films (USA), Give Me Motion: Extra Ordinary, Music Video

Berin Tuzlic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), I run away even if I am not guilty, Animation

Blake Fraser (Australia), Jim’s A Pineapple, Film Short

Bob Williams (USA), Let It Shine: The Story of The Women’s March SLO, Documentary Short

Brett Salamin (USA), Next Door, Film Short

Buffy Milner (USA), Type, Actress: Leading (Student) (Buffy Milner as Jamie)

Camila Rizzo (USA), My Two O’Clock, Film Short (Student)

Carlos Severe Marcelin (USA), Strange Divinity, Experimental

Carly Otness (USA), Sing it Out, Documentary Feature

Chanelle Tyson (USA), We Won’t Be Trumped, Women Filmmakers

Chiu Lei (USA/Hong Kong), I Am The White Tiger, Documentary Feature

Colleen Murphy (USA), Taking The Service Road, Documentary Feature (Student)

David Holmes (USA), An Invitation to Live, Experimental (Student)

David Krause (USA), Afraid of Where You Went, Film Short

Delphine Noels (Belgium), Pole Dance, Film Short

DeShana Pitts (USA), Breaking Bread: Sunday Brunch (Episode 1), Women Filmmakers and Mr. Wifey, African American

Dona Parise (Australia), Amelia, Children / Family Programming

Eddie James (USA), Meadowlark: A Man’s Courage & Tenderness, Actor: Leading (Eddie James as A Man called Liv), Film Short, LGBT, Music Video

Ella McKeon (USA), Mime Doesn’t Pay, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Emily Kitzmille (USA), Everything: Why Citizens Should Know Their U.S. Constitution, Documentary Short

Eric Ayala (USA), If I Should Die Before I Wake, Film Feature, Actor: Leading (Lyndrez Leslie as Brian Edwards)

Eric H. Alexander (USA), The Bright Side, Television – Pilot Program, Actress: Leading (Judy Copelandas Margo)

Farbod Ardebili (USA), Bats & Jokes, Film Short (Student)

Geoffrey Henderson and Alonge Hawes (USA), Blue Collar Hustle, African American, Web Series

Jacek Jedrzejczak (Poland), Exoneration, Experimental

Jake Segelbaum, Brooke de Zutter, Emma Quinn, Rachael Petersen and Josh West (USA), Monumental Change, Documentary Short (Student)

James and Sara Meyer, GemStone Media (Germany), The Kingdom, Script / Writer

Jerome-Anthony Larkin (USA), Evils Of A Foster Child, Actress: Leading (Karen Chimato as Genevieve Cooper)

Jiashan Sami Mo (USA), Mailbox, Film Short

Joel Ulrick O Neal (USA), Happenstance, Actor: Leading (Zeke Hindle as Zander)

John Black (USA), When I Came Home, Music Video

Julie Hinton (USA), Moving Day, Film Short

Katharine White (USA), The 5th, Film Short

Kely Lyons, Nathan Wilds and Joe Perales (USA), GEORGIA, LGBT

Kimberly Jurgen and Michael Cline (USA), Good Samaritans, Web Series

Lara Damiani (Australia), Little Bang’s New Eye, Nonprofit / Fundraising

Lindsy Avritch and Joey Copponi (USA), The Mountain, LGBT (Student)

Lisa Ranran Hu (USA), Escape, Asian (Student)

Lyn Caudle (USA), Philo’s Pholly, Film Short

Marcus Mortland (USA), Hold, Film Short

Mariano Schoendorff Ares (USA), No Rush, Music Video

Mei-yi Cheng, Educational Television Unit, Education Bureau (Hong Kong), Becky and Her Bear, Educational / Instructional / Training

Michael Carvaines (USA), Mute, Film Short (Student)

Miryam Jacobi (New Zealand), Do You Like Me Like This?, Women Filmmakers

Muck Sticky (USA), Dig That, Zeebo Newton, Film Feature

Nancy Allison and Laura Boato (USA), Water on Stone, Experimental, Film Short

Nancy Biniadaki (Germany), The Surface of Things, Women Filmmakers

Nancy J Lilley (Canada), 4 Dancers’ Dreams, Documentary Feature

Ozan Fikri (Australia), BUMPED UP, Film Short

Parag Vijra (India), Sikkim- More than what one Knows, Documentary Short

Pat Bradley and Nick  Buscarino (USA), Into the Valli, Film Feature

Patricia Ceasar (USA), Crying F.U. Lady Rap, Music Video

Proper Ginko SRL (Italy), ONE, TWO, GUESS WHO’S WHO, Film Feature, Original Score (ONE,TWO,GUESS WHO’S WHO)

Ramesh Vijayan (USA), I Miss You, Music Video

Ramprabhu Nakate (India), Mahasatta 2035, Film Feature

Randy Stoudt (USA), Rare Breed, Documentary Feature

Rik Bakshi (India), June, Asian

Robin Sherlock Holm (Sweden), Ticket Holders OR (A Metaphysical Journey Through a Cineast’s Brain), Film Feature (Student)

Rocky Capella (USA), Guitar Man, Film Feature

Sadie Cibula and Valentina Povolo (USA), Lilah’s Flowers, Women Filmmakers (Student)

Salim Ramirez (USA/Mexico), ONIROS, Film Short

Shelley Titus (USA), Sistas Conversation, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Spencer Henry Williams, Humber College Lakeshore (Canada), The Locket, Film Short (Student)

Summer Vaughan (USA), Josephine, Women Filmmakers

Tara Fraser (Canada), Dance, Dance, Evolution, LGBT

Teng Kun Hou (Taiwan), A night in Taipei station, Film Short (Student)

Terence E. Wolfe (Canada), Kids From Camelot, Christian

Tobias Doerr (Austria), Late Spring, Documentary Short (Student)

Vandana Sengupta (India), 19th April At A Railway Platform, Film Short

Wendy Jung and Rowan Russell (USA), Kleptos Confess, Film Short

Willow Hale (USA), The Ones, Actress: Leading (Willow Hale as Rachel Holly)

Yitao Yang and Gia DiNino, Coffee Addict Productions (USA), Forever & Always, Actress: Leading (Student) (Olivia DiNino as Claire Brooks)