'Rams' and 'Missing People' Win at Hamptons International Film Festival
The Hamptons International Film Festival, which concludes today, Monday, has announced that Rams and Missing People have won the 23rd annual festival’s top prizes.
Rams, directed by Grimur Hákonarson, won The HIFF Award for Best Narrative Feature. Rams is Iceland’s official selection for the Academy Awards. Missing People, directed by David Shapiro, received the HIFF Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Over, directed by Jörn Threlfall, and Last Day of Freedom, directed by Dee Hibbert-Jones and Nomi Talisman, received the HIFF Awards for Best Narrative Short Film and for Best Documentary Short Film, respectively.
Embrace of the Serpent, directed by Ciro Guerra, received the Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature and Patriot, directed by Eva Riley, received Honorable Mention for Narrative Short Film. Check Norris Vs. Communism, directed by Ilinca Calugareanu, received the Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature.
The Tangerine Entertainment Juice Fund Award was awarded to Suffragette, directed by Sarah Gavron. This award honors an outstanding female narrative filmmaker.
The Suffolk County Film Commission Next Exposure Grant was awarded to When I Live My Life Over Again, directed by Robert Edwards.
Prior to the festival, The Uncondemned, directed by Michele Mitchell and Nick Louvel, was awarded the 2015 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for a Film of Conflict and Resolution. The Uncondemned was also awarded The Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for social justice. This award is given to a film that most exhibits the values of peace, equality and global justice.
The Champions, directed by Darcy Dennett, was awarded the Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award. This award is presented to a film that raises public awareness about contemporary social issues, including the moral and ethical treatment and the rights of animals as well as environmental protection.
This year’s narrative jury was comprised of Josh Charles, the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor; Dan Guando, U.S. head of acquisitions, production, and development at The Weinstein Company; and Michael H. Weber, screenwriter and producer, known for adapting The Fault in Our Stars and The Spectacular Now. The documentary feature jury includes Marshall Fine, current chair of the New York Film Critics Circle; Bobby Flay, renowned chef and TV personality; and Sarah Lash, consultant with Condé Nast Entertainment.
“Our aspiration for the festival has always been to highlight the importance of diversity in film and support emerging talent in the industry. We are incredibly proud of this year’s lineup and having had achieved these goals once again,” artistic director David Nugent said.
“This year’s line-up celebrated innovative and captivating films across a range of genres and formats,” said Anne Chaisson, the festival’s executive director. “I am incredibly proud of our programming team and the entire staff, who have worked so passionately to make this a wildly successful 23rd year. We look forward to next year.”