2023 HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS

The Humanitarian Award  honors filmmakers who are bringing awareness to issues of Ecological, Political, Social Justice and Equality, Health and Wellness, Animals, Wildlife, Conservation and Spiritual importance while at the same time demonstrating excellence in storytelling and filmmaking craft. Congratulations to this year’s illustrious winners who are committed to making a difference in the world through memorable filmmaking. To read more about the award CLICK HERE:

Kurt Norton, The Broken Promise, Documentary

Kurt Norton (USA), The Broken Promise, Doc Short – From the Armenian Genocide to Bosnia to Rwanda to China to Ukraine (and beyond), the message is painfully clear: genocide is not a once-in-a-generation event humanity can witness, wring its collective hands over, and consign to the history books. It is a tool authoritarians wield all too easily — and consumerism is complicit in its use. With insights from genocide survivors and their children, members of Congress, legal scholars, and human rights activists, The Broken Promise independent, feature-length documentary explores re-emergent patterns of genocide, and the political and institutional failures that enable perpetrators of crimes against humanity. The film shines a light on the warnings signs of genocide, and how ordinary citizens can stand against these atrocities — and finally ensure that the promise of “never again,” a refrain after the horrors of the Holocaust, is fulfilled. A beautifully crafted doc that delivers a truly chilling message through cautionary tales about how societies create and support genocide and dehumanizing others. Potent interviews illuminate how authoritarians and big business are complicit in this horror – and illustrates ways we can overcome authoritarians, defend ourselves against genocide — and ensure that “never again” is now. A potent and timely message. Gayle Donsky, Executive Producer.

Octavio Pisano (USA), EL CAMPO, Film Short – At a Narco Camp in the middle of the stark Mexican desert, we witness the evolution of a young boy, trained and turned into a cold-blooded hired assassin called a Sicario. Heart-breakingly inspired by true events, this coming-of-age nightmare shows that even in the darkest of evils, there was once innocence. Skillfully crafted with lighting by the hard, harsh, intense sun of the desert it perfectly lights the horror that unfolds as an innocent young man with sweetness in his heart is forced to change into a murderous beast in a fusion of brutality and poetry. It is a harrowing journey to the limits of human wickedness, a slow awakening to a frightful reality of survival. Law & Order alum Pisano’s deft direction leads the viewer on a gritty, raw descent into savage violence and breathless horror as innocence is transformed into evil and ruthlessness. Exceptional actors anchor this potent film. A powerful performance by the young Kinan Cruz (Hubbard Street), Narco boss portrayed by Jose Conejo Martin (The Tax Collector), kindly ally Victor Adame (Plan V) and an appearance by Carolina Riesgo (Curb Your Enthusiasm).

Julio del Alamo (Spain), Brearth, Experimental – Filmmaker del Alamo marries creative, exceptional and provocative images with a chilling message relevant to our times. An emotionally moving and stunning visual odyssey of an evolutionary journey through a contaminated human dystopia – packed in plastic waste that suffocates. Each stage of life is uniquely represented with inventive characters displaying emotions of a world that is subtly choking them. Carried along with an emotive soundtrack and impactful sound design – it relays the message that the future is now, the earth is dying. The human being decomposes and recycles – until man’s use of plastic ruins the natural cycles and kills those in its path. It takes great skill to focus a compelling, potent message in such a short period of time. An experimental animation with AI-generated visuals that will take your breath away. Exceptional and Powerful.

Autumn Libengood and Luke Flowers/Awaken the Dream Productions (USA), Life After, Film Short – A priest unable to escape the shame. A pastor haunted by her memories. The trauma of their past explodes as their share their stories and pain with each other. Stars Abigail Mullins (The Shade Shepherd) Darren Lee Cupp (Haven) and a truly gut-wrenching performance by Jordan Mullins (Permission).

Ami Vitale (USA), Remembering Sudan: The Last Male Northern White Rhino, Doc Short – In Remembering Sudan, photographer and filmmaker Vitale documents the heartbreaking crisis facing the northern white rhinos and keepers like Zacharia Mutai who sacrifice so much to protect them. A gorgeously filmed and moving piece, potently embracing the deep emotions of those fighting to make a difference.

Dawn Lambing (Canada), Roed, Film Short – An unusual road trip takes a turn for the worse as two fearless women risk it all for what’s right. A sensationally creative concept, entertaining and poignant – presenting a frighteningly real future possibility. Exceptional, convincing performances by a talented cast. Tara Bissett (Quantico), Shoshana Wilder (Transplant), Shawn Baichoo (The Punisher), Gerardo Lo Dico (Confessions).

Zefeng Wang (China), Upgrade (升级), Film Short – A potent and cautionary tale. When an AI “colleague” upends office dynamics, one programmer spirals down an obsessive path of self-augmentation, sacrificing his humanity in a desperate bid to compete. This sci-fi parable explores the perils of technological optimization taken to dehumanizing extremes. It is a cautionary tale of ambition blinding our better judgement, and how easily we can become trapped in cycles of endless upgrade without purpose. Dramatic, beautiful sets and lighting prepare the stage for lush cinematography, impressive effects and chillingly authentic performances. Stars: Huading Award winner Haoming Yu (Ming Dynasty), Golden Rooster Award nominee Juan Du.

Reilly Michael Saso (Canada), STIGMA, LGBTQ+ – Accomplished director Saso tells a compelling story through exceptional choreography, a stripped-down creative set and talented dancers. A devastating diagnosis, stigmatized and shrouded in despair, a man grapples with the dark specter of mortality and societal rejection – thirty years later he reflects on turning that darkness into self-acceptance and love.

Daniele De Muro (Italy), Horizon, Film Short

Blake Vaz (USA), Matches, Latin / Hispanic

Patricia Downey (United Kingdom), Eight of Swords, Film Short

Amine Harboul, IE University (South Africa), Zambezia: A Well for Change, Documentary Short (Student)

Aaron Joshua Weintraub (Iraq), Scraps, Documentary Short

Beth Toni Kruvant (USA), Finding Fate, Documentary Short

Christopher Schultz (USA), Enemy No More, Film Short

Pauley Perrette (USA), Red Ribbons of Love, Documentary Short

Sam Slovick (USA), Enter the Temple, Documentary Short

Aaron Kim, Jimin Park and Yates Park (Korea), Masked Depression, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger

Jerri Iris Sher (USA), Smiles in Tecate, Documentary Short

Vicki Topaz and Wynn Padula (USA), BY MY SIDE, Disability Issues

Karim Azimi (Iran), Survivor, Asian

Kudzai Tinago (Zimbabwe), Ubuntu ~ The Baobab Tree Story, Film Short

Brian Hall (USA), Plastic Problem PSA, Public Service Announcement

Ryan Sahlin and Dru Sutton (USA), Champion Chronicles: Defying The Odds, Disability Issues

Atul Ravindra Joshi (USA), GUISE, Film Short

Jamaal Scott, DeShon Green and Qiana Camille (USA), AT ALL COSTS, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest

Robin Fisher (United Kingdom), The Halcyon Days, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)

Zong Ying Yu (Taiwan), The Road to Home, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Brišind (USA), Almost Ancestors, Native Peoples

Arnau Argemi Gonzalez (Spain), Shark Researchers: A New Approach to Shark Conservation, Documentary Short

Allen Carrasco (USA), The Big Dump – Documentary Short

Charlotte Quintanar (USA), Bee The Solution, Documentary Short (Student)

Martin Harris (United Kingdom), 3 Steps, Film Short

John Parr (United Kingdom), Unconquered, Disability Issues

Kassi Crews and The Beacon House Association of San Pedro (USA), Heart of Recovery, Documentary Short

Mateo Fromont (Belgium), 1813, Film Short (Student)

Tor Bjerke (Norway), Mom is Just Beetlepoo!, Children / Family Programming