FILM PRIZES
Prizes will be given out to feature films, episodics, and short films in various categories.
U.S. GRAND JURY PRIZES
The ranking award is the Grand Jury Prize, which recognizes a film in both the U.S. Dramatic and U.S. Documentary Competitions as the best from the independent film community this year.
U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM GRAND PRIZE
$75,000
U.S. DOCUMENTARY FILM
GRAND PRIZE
$20,000
WORLD CINEMA GRAND JURY PRIZES
The highest award for international films, the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize recognizes the best dramatic and documentary work in international independent filmmaking this year.
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM GRAND PRIZE
$40,000
INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM
GRAND PRIZE
$12,500
EPISODIC CONTENT GRAND PRIZE
The highest award for U.S. and International episodic content, the Episodic Content Grand Prize recognizes the narrative work in domestic and international independent filmmaking this year.
U.S. NARRATIVE EPISODIC GRAND PRIZE
$22,500
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE EPISODIC GRAND PRIZE
$17,000
SHORT FILM AWARDS
Award for U.S. and International short films focused on categories of fiction, nonfiction and animation, Short Film Prizes recognizes the narrative and nonfiction work in domestic and international independent filmmaking this year.
SHORT FILM GRAND PRIZE
$12,500
SHORT FILM AWARD:
U.S. FICTION
$5,000
SHORT FILM AWARD: INTERNATIONAL FICTION
$5,000
SHORT FILM AWARD:
NONFICTION
$4,000
SHORT FILM AWARD:
ANIMATION
$4,000
FLASH FROM THE PAST FEATURE FILM
This award will be given to any indie film that had a final max budget of $200K USD or less and did not secure major distribution through a sales agent or distributor*. Film must have been completed no earlier than January 1, 2010, and no later than December 31, 2021. This award will be True indie filmmakers that created exceptional quality projects without a significant budget.
*Self-distribution of film and releasing through an aggregator meets eligibility criteria.
FLASH FROM THE PAST GRAND PRIZE
$10,000.00
FLASH FROM THE PAST RUNNER UP
$5,000.00
​
FLASH FROM THE PAST
(3) FINALISTS
Each finalist will receive
$1,500.00
FLASH FROM THE PAST SHORT FILM
This award will be given to any indie short film that was completed no earlier than January 1, 2000, and no later than December 31, 2021 for under $100K. This award will be True indie filmmakers that created exceptional quality projects without a significant budget.
FLASH FROM THE PAST SHORT FILM GRAND PRIZE
$5,000.00
FLASH FROM THE PAST SHORT FILM RUNNER UP
$2,500.00
​
FLASH FROM THE PAST SHORT FILM
(3) FINALISTS
Each finalist will receive
$1,000.00
BIPOC AWARD
Black, Indigenous, People of Color film award is dedicated to individuals of color who showcase exceptional talent in narrative and documentary film making.
BIPOC GRAND
PRIZE
$10,000
BIPOC RUNNER UP
PRIZE
$5,000
​
BIPOC (2) FINALISTS
PRIZE
Each finalist will receive
$1,500
BEST WOMAN FILMMAKER AWARD
The "Best Woman Filmmaker Award" recognizes and celebrates outstanding achievement in filmmaking by a female director and/or writer, honoring her talent, creativity, and contributions to the world of cinema.
BEST WOMAN
FILMMAKER
PRIZE
$15,000
YOUNG TALENT AWARD
This award recognizes the most innovative and forward-thinking film by young filmmakers ages 17 - 22.
YOUNG TALENT
FEATURE FILM
PRIZE
$7,500
YOUNG TALENT
SHORT FILM
PRIZE
$2,500
MICRO BUDGET AWARD
Award to be presented to the best Micro-Budget film. Budget cannot surpass $100,000.00.
$4,000
MICRO BUDGET
RUNNER UP AWARD
$1,000
SPECIAL JURY AWARD
Jurors will give a few Special Jury Prizes recognizing excellence in the craft of filmmaking. These prizes are chosen by their respective jury members as they deem appropriate.
(2) SPECIAL JURY AWARD
$1,000
SPECIAL JURY AWARD:
HONORABLE MENTION
Each finalist will receive
$500
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Audience Awards are chosen by Festivalgoers themselves through ballots cast at the theaters after screenings. Audience Awards are presented to films in the Festival’s U.S. Dramatic Competition, U.S. Documentary Competition, World Cinema Dramatic Competition, World Cinema Documentary Competition, and Young Talent.
(5) AUDIENCE AWARDS
Each finalist will receive
$1,500