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NewFest, the annual New York-based LGBTQ+ film festival, has officially unveiled its 2024 award winners.
The 36th annual festival hosted a Filmmaker & Awards Brunch at the Nitehawk Cinema in Brooklyn to announce the honorees selected by both the festival jury and 2024 audiences. The jury was composed of leading LGBTQ+ creatives, allies, filmmakers, artists, activists, journalists, and entertainment professionals.
The top honor of the Grand Jury Award for U.S. Narrative Feature was awarded to trans neo-noir thriller “Ponyboi,” which was written and produced by NewFest alum River Gallo, who also stars alongside Dylan O’Brien, Victoria Pedretti, Murray Bartlett, and Indya Moore. Gallo’s 2019 short film on which the feature is based won the New York Short jury grand prize at NewFest31. Esteban Arango directed the feature.
“This is a film that, we felt, bridged the space of humanistic storytelling at its highest level,” the U.S. Narrative Feature category jurors of creative executive Sarah Flores, filmmaker Vuk Lingulov-Klotz, and author Geena Rocero said in a joint statement. “This year, we award ‘Ponyboi‘ for its beautiful writing, performances, and cinematic storytelling. This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller. It’s a brave invitation to a brave new world, blending skill, joy and heart while exciting us about the future of films.”
The Grand Jury Award for International Narrative Feature went to Marcelo Caetano’s romance drama “Baby,” which had its North American premiere at the festival.
In the Documentary/Nonfiction category, jurors journalist Mathew Rodriguez, film programmer, and arts administrator Lu Linares, and filmmaker Gian Cassini selected non-fiction musical “Reas” for the Grand Jury Award.
“This year’s 36th edition of The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival featured 143 projects and demonstrates that queer cinema is fully alive and more expansive than ever,” NewFest Director of Programming Nick McCarthy and Senior Programmer & Jury Manager Murtada Elfadl said. “The jury awards recipients prove the breadth of our community’s stories as well as the highest caliber of cinema. We are thankful to our esteemed juries and sponsors of these awards for their diligence and expert insights. We congratulate the winners – and all of our filmmakers – for upholding the enduring legacy of community spirit and quality film at NewFest36. Cheers, queers!”
NewFest also awarded Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo with the 2024 Voice & Visibility Award for his legacy and outstanding ongoing contributions to stage and screen, and queer communities of color, at a special conversation event on Saturday, October 12.
Check out the full awards list below.
Grand Jury Award for U.S. Narrative Feature: PONYBOI, directed by Esteban Arango
“This is a film that, we felt, bridged the space of humanistic storytelling at its highest level.This year, we award PONYBOI for its beautiful writing, performances and cinematic storytelling. This film is a beautiful blend of personal storytelling that highlights River Gallo’s personal journey and interweaves a daring and propulsive thriller. It’s a brave invitation to a brave new world, blending skill, joy and heart while exciting us about the future of films.” – Jurors Sarah Flores, Vuk Lingulov-Klotz and Geena Rocero
Special Mention, U.S. Narrative Feature: DUINO, directed by Pablo Di Pace and Andrés P. Estrada
“We felt moved to give DUINO a special mention for its deep nostalgia and forgiveness of our past selves. Growing up queer is a lonely place in which we can easily get lost. So much is unmentioned and as we grow older we go back and revisit history, hoping we did the best we could back then but also understanding that everyday we have more and more tools to face what’s already happened and what’s to come.” – Jurors Sarah Flores, Vuk Lingulov-Klotz and Geena Rocero
Grand Jury Award for International Narrative Feature: BABY, directed by Marcelo Caetano
“Our award goes to BABY, directed by Marcelo Caetano. A compelling, richly enveloping narrative with a cast of layered, authentic, huggable misfits searching for connection and family in unorthodox, sometimes destructive but always deeply relatable ways. Director Marcelo Caetano, co-writer Gabriel Domingues and cinematographers Joana Luz and Pedro Sotero have such a palpable love for the city of Sao Paulo and for this ensemble of transfixing, wonderfully natural performers.” – Jurors Spencer Collantes, Rendy Jones and Goran Stolevski
Special Mention, International Narrative Feature: Lou Goossens for his performance in YOUNG HEARTS, directed by Anthony Schatteman
“Our Special Mention goes to LOU GOOSSENS who truly astonishes in YOUNG HEARTS, with bracing naturalism, precision and layers of feeling that bely his young age. Anchoring us through all of this story’s emotional ups and downs, commanding the screen through his vulnerability, he lets us feel like we’re under his character’s skin. This tender film will hopefully prove the beginning of a wonderful career.” – Jurors Spencer Collantes, Rendy Jones and Goran Stolevski
Grand Jury Award for Documentary/Nonfiction Feature: REAS, directed by Lola Arias
“REAS, much like the characters whose lives it explores, sings with exuberance, pain and deep humanity. Its subjects’ stories, told through a blend of documentary, musical theater and narrative filmmaking, stand as testament to the power of collaboration between filmmakers and subjects, genres of film and mediums of art. REAS doesn’t shy away from using multiple genres to tell its story; it masterfully blends them to raise new questions about the possibilities of documentary. Just as powerful as its breaking of forms is its statement about film as a tool of reclamation for people who have experienced incarceration.” – Jurors Mathew Rodriguez, Lu Linares and Gian Cassini
Special Mention, Documentary/Nonfiction Feature: I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE, directed by Klára Tasovská
“Special mention is given to the cinematography and editing in I’M NOT EVERYTHING I WANT TO BE for breaking down the art of filmmaking into its simplest parts — picture and sound — while simultaneously elevating these aspects to their highest form. Through a blend of photographs and atmospheric noise, the filmmaker has rendered visible an under-heralded queer life and given it an emotionally charged, and historically contextualized, form. Its simplicity, without sacrificing complexity, is its power.” – Jurors Mathew Rodriguez, Lu Linares and Gian Cassini
Grand Jury Award for New York Short Film, presented in partnership with The Gotham Film & Media Institute: ZARI, directed by Shruti Parekh
“ZARI is a film that is both relatable in the queer experience around the assumptions of heterosexuality as well as universal as it relates to the relationships between the characters. The two main characters’ experiences portray what it’s like to be a lone wolf in your environment and gives the audience an opportunity to feel less alone. The costumes in the film provide the opportunity to show the power of clothing as a vehicle and tool for liberation. Overall the performances, direction, cinematography, set and sound design felt very lived in and tangible and shows much promise for a filmmaker who has a great command of filmmaking as a medium.” – Jurors Kia Brooks, Luca Intili and Jaboukie Young-White
Special Mention, New York Short Film, presented in partnership with The Gotham Film & Media Institute: HOT SEAT, directed by Sohrob Nayebaziz
NewFest + Vimeo First-Time Short Filmmaker Award: Taylor James (writer/director of ILY, BYE)
“For the second year in a row, in partnership with Vimeo’s Employee Resource Groups, Black@Vimeo and Queereo, we are proud to present the Vimeo + NewFest First Time Filmmaker Award in support of an emerging LGBTQ+ filmmaker. This year’s award is presented to Taylor James, the writer/director of ILY, BYE. In his debut narrative short, James displays sharp comedic instincts that we’re thrilled to celebrate and can’t wait to see more of. ILY, BYE will make its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick next month!”
NEWFEST36 EMERGING BLACK LGBTQ+ FILMMAKER AWARD WINNERS
Sekiya Dorsett, director of CARIBBEAN QUEEN
“Sekiya Dorsett’s CARIBBEAN QUEEN disrupts the comforts of a coming-age story in the pursuit of self-determination and discovery. Rich with culture, the layered complexities of coming out in a traditionally rooted community albeit comedic can leave scars. Dorsett’s characters are born again in ways of surrounding themselves with an out and proud legacy, proving Dorsett to be a committed storyteller. Caribbean contributions to the American cultural landscape go too often overlooked. Visibility is the proven weapon against oppression as boldly proclaimed in this glimpse into the lives of Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean.” – Jurors Gia Love, Melissa Lyde and Stephen Winter
Natalie Jasmine Harris, director of GRACE
“GRACE is a powerful exploration of the tension between religion, personal identity, and societal expectations. The film follows the journey of a young girl, Grace, who is free to explore her sense of self until the weight of family and the expectation of baptism loom over her. As Grace comes of age, she finds herself caught between the external pressures of her faith and the internal conflict of her own feelings and experiences. The movie deftly portrays the emotional turmoil Grace faces, with outside influences pulling her in different directions. Her struggle is further complicated by criticism from her community and the conflicting messages she receives from the Bible about how she should live her life. The storytelling is phenomenal, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. With its rich character development and a thought-provoking narrative, GRACE leaves a lasting impression. This is a well-done film that invites the audience to reflect on the complexities of faith, identity, and choice.” – Jurors Gia Love, Melissa Lyde and Stephen Winter
Brandon R. Nicholas, director of MISS HONEY: THE CATSUIT
“Don’t you hear me calling you Miss Hon-NAY?” For generations this rich and resonant refrain from the magnificent Black trans performer Moi Rene has transfixed queer audiences. With MISS HONEY: THE CATSUIT we have a deliciously invigorating film that gives a full portrait of Moi Rene and her anthem “Miss Honey,” but also leaves you wishing for more – so much more – in the best way. When you see this slice of Moi Rene’s history, you feel the implications of our present day. Brava.” – Jurors Gia Love, Melissa Lyde and Stephen Winter
Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
Winner: DUINO directed by Juan Pablo Di Pace and Andrés P. Estrada
Runner-Up: LILIES NOT FOR ME directed by Will Seefired
Audience Award for Best Documentary/Nonfiction Feature
Winner: THIS IS BALLROOM directed by Juru and Vitã
Runner-Up: REAS directed by Lola Arias
Audience Award for Best Narrative Short
Winner: Zari directed by Shruti Parekh
Runner-Up: Caribbean Queen directed by Sekiya Dorsett
Audience Award for Documentary/Nonfiction Short
Winner: ALOK directed by Alex Hedison
Runner-Up: MOTHER directed by Meg Shutzer and Brandon Yadegari Moreno
Teen Choice Audience Award for Best Teen Short Film
Winner: Saturday Ritual directed Sydne Horton
Runner-Up: Brim Broome Boulevard directed by PJ Magerko-Liquorice
English (US) ·