2024 WINNERS

Outstanding Sound: BROKEN VESSELS

Outstanding Score: IN THE SUMMER RAIN

Outstanding Editing: NYCTOPHOBIA

Outstanding Cinematography: GIANT'S KETTLE

Outstanding Animation: ROBERTO'S DREAM

Outstanding Screenplay:  ASTRONAUT by Lukas Hassel

The Dark Side Award:  CASA PARAISO

The Vanguard Award (for Experimental Film): THIS IS HOW I FELT

Outstanding Performance in a Short: Kara Overlien in GOLD RUSH

Outstanding Performance in a Feature: Rosie McDonald in A/WAY

Outstanding Ensemble Performance: MAMA NIGHT

Outstanding Comedy: THE PEACH

Outstanding Drama: BLUE HOUR

Outstanding Short Documentary: (It's a tie!) FORBIDDEN POND and BIRDFEEDER

Outstanding Feature Documentary: THAT THING THAT SOUND

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short:  Anne Hu for LUNCHBOX

Outstanding Narrative Short: L'HYPERMNÉSIQUE

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: Derek Shane Garcia for A/WAY
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Outstanding Narrative Feature: A/WAY


2023 WINNERS

Outstanding Cinematography: MARTYR OF A FORGOTTEN DREAM 
Outstanding Sound: MISPRINT
Outstanding Editing: 300 HOURS
Outstanding Musical Score: STILLNESS
Outstanding Ensemble Performance: $ BROKE BOI
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Short: Alexandra Rey in GOOD GIRL
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature: Kerry Lacy in ARTIST UNKNOWN
Outstanding Animation: HANDWRITTEN
The Dark Side Award: THE BUTTON GAME
The Vanguard Award: AGITA
Outstanding Comedy: HOLD TO DASH
Outstanding Drama: HAKONIWA
Outstanding Short Documentary: THREE LESSONS (HOW TO SHOOT A GUN)
Outstanding Feature Documentary: THE FORGOTTEN OCCUPATION: JIM CROW GOES TO HAITI
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short:  Edward Worthy for REAR
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: Melissa D'Agostino for MOTHER OF ALL SHOWS
Outstanding Narrative Short: FLOPPIES
Outstanding Narrative Feature: MOTHER OF ALL SHOWS
Outstanding Screenplay: GODFOR, written by Pablo Torroella 
Jury Prize: ARTIST UNKNOWN
Audience Choice: THE FORGOTTEN OCCUPATION: JIM CROW GOES TO HAITI
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Watch our Filmmaker acceptance videos here.
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​2022 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS

​Outstanding Cinematography: 
BREAKFAST AT THE BODEGA
Directed by Marina Barham

Outstanding Sound: 
ECHO’S ANSWER
Directed by Cat Tassini

Outstanding Editing: 
Mike Enright for NIGHT AT DOWNTOWN BEIRUT

Outstanding Musical Score: 
Hope For Agoldensummer for FISH STORY

Outstanding Ensemble Performance: 
Nicolas Calero, Shah Motia, Adrienne Lauren in THE GAME

Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Short:
Katie Vincent in HOMEBOUND

Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature: 
West Liang in SILENT RIVER

Outstanding Animation: 
CHILLY & MILLY Directed by Will Caballero

The Dark Side Award: 
DARK TALES FROM CHANNEL X
Directed by Manny Serrano and Lindsay Serrano

The Vanguard Award: 
BEATINGS OF THE DEVIL
Directed by Bradly Dever Treadaway

Outstanding Comedy: 
PUSS
Directed by Leah Shore 

Outstanding Drama: 
’TIL MORNING
Directed by Ana Moioli and Ryan Cairns

Outstanding Short Documentary: 
JUST A BROADWAY BABY: MARY ELLEN ASHLEY
​Directed by Patrick A Riviere

Outstanding Feature Documentary:
MORE THAN ACADEMICS
Directed by Elizabeth Mealey and Dejinay Reed

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short: 
Shannon Morrall for BRIDGE

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: 
Nick Thompson for SKAGIT

Outstanding Narrative Short: 
I’M FINE Directed by Justin Ho

Outstanding Narrative Feature: 
SILENT RIVER Directed by Chris Chan Lee

Outstanding Screenplay: 
PICK written by Bernhard Riedhammer

Screenplay Finalists:
Centurions — Written by Sally Stubbs 
Pick — Written by Bernhard Riedhammer
Sergeant Freeman — Written by Gloria J. Browne-Marshall
The Puppeteer — Written by Alexander Julian III

Audience Choice Award: 
SHAMROCKS Directed by Greg Lofrano

​2021 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Cinematography: 
Shabier Kirchner for ‘Jamestowne’

Outstanding Sound: 
Brad Nayman for ‘Gestura’

Outstanding Editing:
Peter Hogenson for ‘Inevitability’

Outstanding Musical Score:
Andy Hasenpflug for ‘Dirt’

Outstanding Ensemble: 
Triple Threat (Stacey Maltin, Margarita Zhitnikova, Jay DeYonker, Catherine Curtin and more!)

Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Short: (Our first tie!)
Johnny Brown in ‘The Inconvenience of Being Black’
Louis Ozawa Changchien in ‘Sitting’

Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature: 
Martha Brown in ‘DimLand’ 

Outstanding Animation: 
Lea Zalinskis for ‘Seashells’

Outstanding Visual Effects:
Christopher Phelps and Joel Barlow for ‘Odyssey’

The Dark Side Award for Outstanding horror/thriller/Noir/ Sci Fi: 
'Hell of a Pitcher' directed by Daniel Burity

The Vanguard Award for Outstanding Experimental Film: 
'Entre Puerto Rico y Richmond' directed by Alicia Diaz

Outstanding Comedy: 
'Miss Blueberry Beauty Pageant' directed by Sarah Kennedy

Outstanding Drama: 
'Sisters' directed by Sarah Nolen

Outstanding Short Documentary: 
'Cat Man Do' directed by Matt Tyson

Outstanding Feature Documentary:
'Last Call' directed by Johnny Sweet

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short: 
Stacey Maltin for ‘Appetite’

Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: 
Byron Lamarque for ‘The Desiring’

Outstanding Narrative Short: 
'Song & Grace' directed by Maisa Chian

Outstanding Narrative Feature: 
'One Moment' directed by Deirdre O'Connor

Outstanding Screenplay: 
'Saratoga' by Robert Potter
Screenplay Finalists:
'WALLS&BALLS' by Kenneth Klein, Irwin Hahn
"The MicroCosmic Cartoon Show" by Prema Rose, Hugh A. Rose, Suryananda Rose

Jury Award: 
'Koreatown Ghost Story' directed by Minsun Park and Teddy Tenenbaum

Audience Choice Award: 
'Mina Martin' directed by Anthony Petrucci

2020 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Cinematography: 
RUBY RED 
Directed by Emily C. Chang
Cinematography by Alejandro Wilkins 
 
 Outstanding Sound: 
PUSH THE POINT
Directed by Bryan Lawrence Burton 
Sound by Bryan Burton & Robert Gongora 
 
Outstanding Editing:
THE KEEPER
Directed by Bob Celli
Edited by Cecilia Potenza Jimenez
 
Outstanding Ensemble: 
Izzie Steele and Jefferson White in THE MOUSE AND THE LION
Directed by Lain Kienzle 
 
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Short: 
Daniela Mastropietro in AUGUST IN THE CITY
Directed by Christie Conochalla
 
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature: 
Aunjanue Ellis in THE SUBJECT
Directed by Lanie Zipoy
 
Outstanding Animation: 
UNCLE GRIOT
Directed by Paul Charisse
 
The Dark Side Award for Outstanding horror/thriller/Noir/ Sci Fi: 
THE RED MARSH
Directed by Drake Woodall
 
The Vanguard Award for Outstanding Experimental Film: 
STAR-SPANGLED BRIGHTON BEACH
Directed by Lynn Bianchi
 
Outstanding Comedy: 
MY NEW PANTS
Directed by Gerard Zarra
 
Outstanding Drama: 
CAMBIO
Directed by Bob Giraldi
 
Outstanding Short Documentary: 
FALLING FORWARD
Directed by Caroline Macfarlane
 
Outstanding Feature Documentary:
BORN JUST NOW
Directed by Robert Adanto
 
Jury Award: 
PERMANENT COLLECTION
Directed by Michael Irish
 
Audience Choice Award: 
IN ACTION
Directed by Sean Kenealy and Eric Silvera  
 
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short: 
Amit Shamir for RED
 
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: 
Lanie Zipoy for THE SUBJECT
 
Outstanding Narrative Short: 
BUTTBALL
Directed by Maryll Botula
 
Outstanding Narrative Feature: 
THE SUBJECT
Directed by Lanie Zipoy­

Outstanding Screenplay: 
AKTION T-4
Written by John Martins III
Screenplay Finalists:
The Back End by Daniel Gessner & Kyle Campbell
The Secrets of Ebbetts Field by Richard Seidman
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2019 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
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Outstanding Narrative Feature 
PAPER BOATS
Directed by Yago Muñoz

Outstanding Narrative Short 
YOU LOOK GREAT
Directed by Justin Andrew Davis

Outstanding Feature Documentary
URANIUM DERBY
Directed by Brittany Prater

Outstanding Short Documentary
UNVEIL
Directed by Joy Ernanny

The Vanguard Award for Experimental Film 
CIRCUMAMBULATION
Dir. By Andrew Xue

The Dark Side Award for Horror and Thriller Film
TINA
Directed by Gayatri Bahl

Outstanding Comedy
ME TIME
Directed by Iyabo Boyd

Outstanding Drama
SHADOW PUPPET
Directed by Daniel James McCabe

Outstanding Director
Yago Muñoz for Paper Boats

Outstanding Performance 
Adenike Thomas for ME TIME

Outstanding Editing
Sophie Solomon for DEAD GIRL

Outstanding Cinematography
Mattison Stanton for ANIMAL SKINS

Jury Award 
KEEP GOING JOON
Directed by Cedar Daniels

Audience Choice 
SUZY HOTROD: ROLLER DERBY STAR
Directed by Leon Chase

Outstanding Screenplay
BEEN TOO LONG
​Written by Laura DeBar

2018 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
Outstanding Narrative Feature: MEME  - Directed by Sean Mannion
Outstanding Documentary Feature:  BROOKLYN ROSES - Directed by Christine Noschese
Outstanding Short Documentary:  SKIN - Directed by Adam Golub and Liana Nigri
Outstanding Narrative Short: HELLO - Directed by Sydney Lloyd Smith
Outstanding Narrative Super Short (under 10 min):  OVUM - Directed by Cidney Hue
Outstanding Director:  Angelica Zollo, TRAUMA IS A TIME MACHINE
Audience Choice:LONG GOODBYE - Directed by Christopher Vernale
Jury Prize: HOW TO SAY GOODBYE - Directed by Frank Song
Vanguard Award for Experimental Film: ACTING ERRATICALLY - Directed by Daniel Goodman, Hazel Katz, Tuff Guts
Outstanding Screenplay:  MOCHA DICK - Written by Laura Kelber

2017 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
Best Short: SEE YOU YESTERDAY - Directed by Stefon Bristol
Best Documentary: THE TABLES - Directed by Jon Bunning
Best Feature: GOLD STAR - Directed by Victoria Negri
Best Director: Madeline Leshner - FACTORY 91
Outstanding Ensemble: PRISM - Directed by Corey Rutledge, Luis Alarcón, Grant Lancaster, Roberto Serrini, Doug Roland, Lee Peterkin, Nick Snow
Vanguard Award for Experimental/Non-Linear Work: VICTOR & ISOLINA - Directed by Will Caballero
Best Screenplay: DON'T CALL ME SIR - Written by Bo Svenson
Audience Choice: FOUR BOTTLES - Directed by John Painz

2016 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
Animation: THINK INK - Directed by Wally Chung
Narrative Super Short: FIRST NIGHT OUT - Directed by Will Mayo
Dark Side Award: PHOTO OP - Directed by Dave Solomon
Narrative Feature: LIFE OF SIGNIFICANT SOIL - Directed by Michael Irish
Vanguard Award: SUPER FUN SHOW, WITH LEARNING! - Directed by Lexie Kahanovitz and Jim Tozzi
Narrative Short: ENDURO - Directed by Christopher Dillon
Documentary Short Subject: THE CHAMPION - Directed by Patrick McGowan
Documentary Feature: IN OUR BACKYARD - Directed by Danielle Rose
Best Director: BEHIND THE WALL - Directed by Bat-Sheva Guez
Audience Choice: IN OUR BACKYARD - Directed by Danielle Rose

2015 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
Best Super-Short (Under 10 min.):  TEST – Comedy, Directed by Jay Lifton 
Best Short, Narrative Subject: WHEN THE GUN GOES DOWN – Western/Drama, Directed by Ali Eldin 
Best Animation: RHYTHM OF THE CITY – Directed by Julie Gratz – World Premiere
Best Short Documentary: BLADE #1 – Directed by Zuzka Kurtz – World Premiere
Best Feature Documentary: THREE TO INFINITY: BEYOND TWO GENDERS – Directed by Lonny Shavelson – World Premiere
Vanguard Award for Experimental/Non-Linear Films: CONFLUENCE – Directed by Noah Shulman
Best Feature: HUNTER&GAME – Comedy/Mockumentary, Directed by Kevin Alexander – East Coast Premiere
Best Director: Christopher Phelps and Maxim Van Scoy, Co-Directors of Lake Nowhere
Audience Choice Award: LIVING WITH THE DEAD – Drama, Directed by Christine Vartoughian – NYC Premiere

2014 AoBFF AWARD WINNERS
Best Super Short: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF TOMMY CHAOS AND STACY DANGER directed by Michael Lukk Litwak
Best Short: BODIES IN IRREVERSIBLE DETRIMENT directed by Ben Lazarus
Best Feature: FOUND IN TIME directed by Arthur Vincie
Best Short Documentary: HERD IN ICELAND Lindsay Blatt
Best Feature Documentary: LEMON directed by Laura Brownson & Beth Levison
Best Animation: HOW YOU DOIN' BOY? VOICEMAILS FROM GRAN'PA directed by William D. Caballero
Dark Side Award: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS directed by Nick Sicurella
Vanguard Award: ENSEMBLE directed by TOOWAII
Best Director: Kevin McMullin for FIRST PRIZE
Jury Prize: AN HONORABLE MAN directed by Harrison P. Crown and William G. Utley
Audience Choice Award: HOW GREAT IT WAS directed by Ilja Willems

2013 AWARD WINNERS
Best Super Short: ZOOT/SUIT directed by Clare Kent
Best Short: THE SKETCH ARTIST directed by Maxwell Newman-Plotnick
Best Short Documentary: HOWDY, MONTANA directed by Matt Cascella
Best Documentary: THE CARDBOARD BERNINI directed by Olympia Stone
Best Director: Eric Trenkamp (AMERICAN BOMBER)
Vanguard Award: SEED STORY directed by William Caballero
Dark Side Award: THE DOOR directed by Richard Termini
Best Animation: BUMPER directed by Ben McCarthy
Best Feature: CASUAL ENCOUNTERS directed by Will McCord
Audience Choice Award: ONE WALL: KINGS OF CONEY ISLAND directed by Joe Glickman

2012 AWARD WINNERS
(2012 was our first competitive festival)
Best Super Short: SO MUCH LEFT TO DO directed by David Turner
Best Short: THE SHOEMAKER directed by Kaves
Best Short Documentary: HIP HOP HASSID directed by Francesca Pagani
Best Documentary: ROADMAP TO APARTHEID directed by Ana Nogueira
Best Director: Joel Johnstone (THE PILGRIM & THE PRIVATE EYE)
Vanguard Award: MAN VS. ULTRAMAN directed by Michael Rader
Best Feature: YOU BURY YOUR OWN directed by Lewin Webb
Audience Choice Award: MY LIFE AS ABRAHAM LINCOLN directed by Shari Berman