The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival Announces Award Winning Films

AWARDED $10,000 THROUGH STAND FOR THE ARTS AWARDS  BY SPECTRUM AND OVATION TV

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November 8, 2023 (Brooklyn, NY) – The Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) celebrated its 16th edition this year from October 25th – October 29th, screening over 125+ films from Brooklyn and around the world. The festival included live screenings hosted by Williamsburg Cinemas, an Opening Night Red Carpet Reception, presented by Spectrum with specialty cocktails by Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky, on October 25th at Brooklyn Borough Hall. For the third consecutive year, Johnnie Walker has been a proud sponsor of the Bushwick Film Festival, demonstrating its commitment to nurturing storytellers, championing diversity, and encouraging bold strides forward. Other festival events included a Movie Industry Conference held at Be Electric Studios featuring engaging panel discussions and a lively Sweet 16 Party at Lot 45. 

The festival culminated with an award ceremony this past Sunday, October 29th where over 10 films and filmmakers received awards. The award winners told bold stories, embodied the independent spirit, and featured extraordinary characters that reveal tales of change, self-discovery, and transitions into new phases of life.

This year’s jurors included Theo Rigby, (Founder/Director, iNation Media ), Danelle Eliav (Producer, Menashe, and Omara), Melody C Roscher (Writer/Director/Producer, Martha Marcy May Marlene and White Wedding), Petra Ahmann (Executive Producer, Silverline Cinema), Amenya Makuku (Head of  Development and Production with Courtney Lee Mitchell's 4TH Power Films (KINDRED with FX; in development on UNCATCHABLE with Apple and Appian Way)), Courtney Andrialis-Vincent (Former VP, Production Management for Warner Bros Discovery Sports & Bleacher Report), Niki Williams (Senior Manager, Production & Development, Nickelodeon), and Kweighbaye Kotee (producer, Starlit Pictures, BFF Founder)

Below is the full list of winners:

FEATURE NARRATIVE CATEGORY

Best Feature Narrative

Darla in Space

Director: Susie Moon, Eric Laplante

Special Jury Prize

Bittersweet

Director: Haroldo Borges

Honorable Mention

Playing Sam

Director: Ramon Felipe Pesante

SHORT NARRATIVE CATEGORY

Best Short Narrative

The Old Young Crow

Director: Liam LoPinto

Special Jury Prize

The Vacation

Director: Jarreau Carrillo

Honorable Mention

Bodies Will Tumble and Roll

Director: Eli Vazquez

FEATURE DOCUMENTARY CATEGORY

Best Feature Doc

Storming Caesar's Palace

Director: Hazel Gurland-Pooler

Special Jury Prize

Estamos Unidos

Director: Alvaro Manuel Morales

Honorable Mention

Esu and The Universe

Director: Thiago Zanato

SHORT SERIES CATEGORY

Best Series

Story of Godia

Director: Mouayed Zabtia

Special Jury Prize 

Awesome

Director: Paul Munger

Honorable Mention

Monologue

Director: Nick Clifford, Stef Smith

During the Opening Night Ceremony, Ovation TV awarded the Bushwick Film Festival a $10,000 check through the Stand For The Arts Awards, a partnership with Spectrum that recognizes local arts, cultural, and educational organizations and programs. Since the initiative started in 2017, Ovation TV and Spectrum have given out 70 awards totaling $700,000 towards arts education. Bushwick Film Festival is one of 10 organizations receiving support in Spectrum markets across the country. Select arts organizations are awarded $10,000 Stand For The Arts contributions based on the following criteria: support of creatives and artists via community-driven programming; as advocates for equity and access to the arts; and for providing accessible spaces for creative expression.

(Photo Credit: Dexterity Productions)

Over the past 16 years, BFF has showcased the works of nearly 1000 independent filmmakers from Brooklyn and more than 50 different countries. The BFF has evolved into one of Brooklyn's most highly anticipated cinematic events and is celebrated for its significant contributions to the borough's artistic, cultural, and economic development.

The 16th Annual Bushwick Film Festival gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of our sponsors, partners, grant benefactors and patrons:

Spectrum, Johnnie Walker, Ovation TV, Brooklyn Borough Hall, Pushing Forward Realty, Circa Brewing Co., Broadway Stages, Williamsburg Cinemas, Lot 45, World Owned, Be Electric Studios, Master Card, NAACP, Self-Portrait Project, Hello Alice, and IfundWomen donors. 

About Bushwick Film Festival

The Bushwick Film Festival is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to discover emerging voices, share great stories, and build community through the power of film. As an MWBE organization, we are proud to be part of the 12% of film festivals in the U.S. that are owned by women of color. With over 1000 yearly film submissions from 60+ countries, the festival draws 5000 attendees and features the top 100 indie films from NYC and beyond. In addition to film screenings, the five-day festival includes a red-carpet opening, a movie industry conference, networking events, a screenplay competition, and a closing night awards ceremony. 

The Bushwick Film Festival has received recognition from City and State Elected officials for its significant contribution to Brooklyn's cultural, artistic, and economic growth. With the generous support of our partners and sponsors, we are able to expand our free public programming and develop filmmaking programs specifically designed to empower and uplift underrepresented storytellers in the Brooklyn community.

About Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker is the world's number one Scotch Whisky brand (IWSR 2022 in value) enjoyed by people in over 180 countries around the world. Since the time of its founder, John Walker, those who blend its whiskies have pursued flavor and quality above all else. 

Today's range of award-winning whiskies includes Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Aged 18 Years, and Blue Label. Together they account for over 21 million cases sold annually (IWSR, 2022), making Johnnie Walker the most popular Scotch Whisky brand in the world. 

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Watch the Opening Night Video HERE

Download High Res Photos from the Opening Night Ceremony HERE (Credit: Dexterity Productions)

Download High Res Photos from Screenings HERE (Credit: Chris Kammerud)

View Opening Night Photo Booth Photos HERE

Press Contact:

Stephanie Estrada | Big Picture Media

C: 562.685.6707 | Stephanie@BigPictureMediaOnline.com 

Samantha LaPare | Big Picture Media

C: 973.461.9345 | Sam@BigPictureMediaOnline.com