The 2020 Brooklyn Film Festival announces winners of its 23rd edition: TURNING POINT

Brooklyn Film Festival’s 23rd Edition: TURNING POINT Announces Award Winners 

INTO THE STORM Wins The Grand Chameleon Award

Best Narrative Feature - OUR OWN

Best Documentary Feature - INTO THE STORM

Brooklyn, NY (June 8, 2020) – Brooklyn Film Festival’s 23rd edition: TURNING POINT (aka Relearn How to be Human), which in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic began showing films for free online on Friday, May 29th and wrapped up Sunday, June 7th,  announced the winners of the festival’s awards over the course of the day on Saturday, June 6th, with the Audience Awards and The Grand Chameleon Award announced on Sunday afternoon, bestowing a total of 30 awards to this year’s festival filmmakers. Winners were determined by three groups: 1) The external panels of judges, 2) The festival, and 3) The Audience. Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, selected filmmakers are sharing a total of $50,000 in cash, products and services. Over the course of the 10-day festival, there were a total of 21,000+ new registered users and 36,000+ views of the films, as data collected from Vimeo, the festival’s video server, showed. To learn more about the BFF selection process and check the full awards breakdown: visit our website.

INTO THE STORM directed by Adam Brown picked up the coveted best of fest Grand Chameleon Award. Jeanne Leblanc’s OUR OWN won Best Narrative Feature and Adam Brown’s INTO THE STORM also took home the award for Best Documentary Feature.

“The 2020 BFF has been for me, without a doubt, the most important event up to date organized by the Brooklyn Film Festival. Our outreach this year has been second to none to our previous 22 editions. 124 countries have been following the festival in numbers that we could have only dreamt about in the past.  I have the clear feeling that BFF has entered a brand new stage and the greatest thing of all is that we have achieved this by doing something tangibly good. We envisioned, created, and then delivered a well-organized film festival to people who are going through a very difficult moment in their lives. And the idea to offer such a show free of charge has been one of the most rewarding actions I have ever been involved in,” said Marco Ursino, Brooklyn Film Festival Executive Director. 

Award packages include prizes from Sobre Vista Resort, AbelCine, Xeno Lights, Be Electric, WNET, MPE, Final Draft, Lentini Communications, Media Services, Noble Jewelry, The Pod Hotel, Papapietro Perry Winery and Brooklyn Film Society.

And the winners are:

GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD - Dir. Adam Brown for the Documentary Feature INTO THE STORM 

Best Narrative Feature - Dir. Jeanne Leblanc for the film OUR OWN

Jury Statement: In this category’s strong competition, the jury found that OUR OWN distinguished itself with its unwavering gaze at difficult issues and its formal control. Director Jeanne Leblanc captures the disconnect between the apparently ordinary households of a suburban neighborhood and the ugliness beneath the surface, problems that extend well beyond the film’s original sin. Its admirable qualities include courageous performances and a refusal to resolve itself in a conventionally reassuring way.

Best Documentary Feature - Dir. Adam Brown for the film INTO THE STORM

Jury Statement: The judges were thoroughly inspired by Jhonny’s story in INTO THE STORM. Thanks to the filmmakers’ excellent access, we felt that we were right there alongside him, experiencing the various ups and downs inherent to an athlete’s journey. We also applaud the excellent cinematography which superbly caught both Jhonny’s moves on the surfboard and stunning views of the ocean.

Best Narrative Short -Dir. Georgi M. Unkovski for the film STICKER

Jury Statement: STICKER is a rare achievement. One in which the filmmakers manage to perfectly balance humor and humanity, parental love and outlaw determination, inside a masterfully made film. It infuses us with joy as it impresses us with its technical skill.

Best Documentary Short - Dir. Malcolm Rizzuto and and Spencer Garrison for the film EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY

Jury Statement: The Jury found EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY extremely creative and strikingly funny. As an autobiographical tale on the immigrant experience from a unique perspective, it felt fresh and innovative. Presented through lively animation that details the complex – but also loving – story behind the relationship between a young man and his grandmother, we thoroughly enjoyed this film and encourage the filmmakers to keep creating.

Best Animation - Dir. Zige Zhang for the film KING OF THE HOUSE

Jury Statement: The Animation we selected as winner of the category is KING OF THE HOUSE. Zige Zhang’s exquisitely illustrated and pacy tale shines the spotlight on inequality. She nudges us to see that our shared humanity holds the key.

Best Experimental - Dir. Garry Stewart for the film THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE

Jury Statement: The jury is pleased to name THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE as the BFF 2020 winner for Best Experimental Short  for its combination of striking cinematography, intriguing choreography, resonant score and conceptual depth. As the film shifts from vast wild landscapes to intimate explorations of the human form, it unites dance and the natural world in an eloquent expression of life’s rhythms.

Spirit Awards

Narrative Feature - Dir. Kenya Márquez for the film SUFFOCATION

Documentary Feature - Dir. Hasan Oswald for the film HIGHER LOVE

Narrative Short - Dir. Alex Wu for the film IDOL

Documentary Short - Dir. Jessica Colquhoun for the film SUNDAYS AT THE TRIPLE NICKEL

Experimental - Dir. Kevin McGloughlin for the film SUITE AFTER THE FURIES 

Animation - Dir. Tom Hardiman for the film PITCH BLACK PANACEA 

Best Brooklyn Project - Dir. Mojo Lorwin for the film SUMMER IN THE CITY

Audience Awards

Narrative Feature - MACABRE directed by Marcos Prado

Documentary Feature - INTO THE STORM directed by Adam Brown

Narrative Short - THE PRESENT directed by Farah Nabulsi

Documentary Short - THEY directed by Louisa Rechenbach

Experimental - INHUMAN LOVE  directed by Adam Hayes and Nick Hayes

Animation - WADE directed by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya and Kalp Sanghvi

KidsFilmFest - CRAMMING directed by Dan Perlman

Certificates of Achievement

Best New Director Award - Hasan Oswald for the film HIGHER LOVE

Best Producer Award - Rodrigo Ríos Legaspi for the film BEFORE OBLIVION 

Best Screenplay Award - Morgan Ingari for the film MILKWATER  

Best Cinematography Award - Vincent Biron for I'LL END UP IN JAIL

Best Editing Award - Maciej Bruno Sosnowski for the film ROTTEN EARS

Best Style Award - Ashley Eakin for the film SINGLE

Best Original Score Award - Composer Xiao Zhuang Ma for the film THE JOURNEY OF MURDER

Best Actor Female - Susana Alcantara for the film WOMAN WITHOUT A CHILD

Best Actor Male – Kyle Chen for the film IDOL

About Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF) :

The organizers of the Brooklyn Film Festival have been staging International, competitive film events since 1998. BFF's mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films, to draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema, to encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking, and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. BFF, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

For more info about the festival and the 2020 winners please visit: https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/winners 

BFF Social Media Links: http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/follow/.

Chat w/ Jennifer Sharp, director of 'Una Great Movie' | Brooklyn FilmFest

UNA GREAT MOVIE playing at Brooklyn Film Festival 2019, is a beautiful movie about a black American woman traveling to Mexico, slowly becomes a romantic comedy with an all-white cast. A quirky cerebral look into commercialism and greed, juxtaposed with a heartwarming movie that challenges stereotypes. Una Great Movie uses comedy to reflect on relevant contemporary issues. It is fun and humorous with a unique storytelling style that incorporates a professional cast mixed with local Mexican non-actors.

We talked to the director and writer of the film Jennifer Sharp. Here are the excerpts

- What made you make this film?

The initial inspiration was based on a small town in Mexico that I found in 1999 while traveling with a friend. I loved the town and the people and was inspired to make a movie there.  I wanted to share the magic of that place and how it felt as a black woman in Mexico. For the next 16 years I tried relentlessly to get the movie made, during which time the script transformed over and over again. Finally becoming what it is now, which actually mixes my true experiences in Hollywood trying to get the movie made, with the beautiful Mexican story that I had been wanting to make for years.

- What was the biggest challenges in making this film? How did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge (out of many) would be producing a movie in Mexico and having to find an entire crew in a country, where I knew absolutely nothing about the film industry. I had many situations where I had to speak fluent Spanish, and I wasn't sure if I could handle those situations. But mother is the necessity of invention for sure, and when I needed to up my Spanish speaking skills to have an hour long meeting with the mayor of the town, I just did it. The brain is pretty amazing!

- What film and filmmakers inspire you?

Charlie Kaufman is a genius and his movie Synechdoche, although it had little commercial success, I believe is the truest portrayal of life I have ever seen in a movie.

- How has been your experience at BFF?

I am super impressed with the quality of every movie I have seen so far at the Brooklyn film Festival and I'm excited to spend the week seeing more and meeting more filmmakers. The staff are welcoming and excited about the event and supportive. It's been a wonderful experience and has been a great way to kick off my festival experience. I love their commitment to the theme this year of highlighting diverse and creative films that are against the norm.

- What's your most favorite and least favorite thing about New York?

I love the energy here and the ability to get anywhere in the city without driving. I live in LA, so it hinders the lifestyle trying to avoid traffic or not driving after you go out to a party. New York is more accessible with the city at your disposal!

My least favorite thing is the amount of people and lack of nature. Yes, there are parks, but I like cities with more green spaces all around without having to go to a public park.

Chat w/ Julian Shaw, Director of 'Use Me' | Brooklyn Film Festival

Use Me had its WORLD PREMIERE Sunday, June 02 at Brooklyn Film Festival. It’s a gripping thriller film about an ambitious documentary filmmaker discovers the darkest parts of himself when he turns his camera on a beautiful woman who humiliates men for money.

We had a chat with the director and star of the film, Julian Shaw. Here are the excerpts.

- What made you make a film of such "taboo" subject?

I'm attracted to provocative subject matter, and I personally enjoy the world of BDSM, but my goal wasn't just to titillate the audience - that is only entertaining for so long. I was drawn to the extreme emotional states that are involved in fantasy roleplay, and also the potential for such extreme fantasies to go terribly wrong when brought into reality. I discovered Ceara Lynch online and became fascinated by her. I pitched a documentary to her but after meeting up in Portland and filming some documentary material with her I realised she had the capacity and x factor to be the center of a fictionalized movie. I had made two documentaries already and I was ready to take on a new challenge. She was equally game. 

- What was the biggest challenges in making this film? How did you overcome them?

I'm a New Zealand-born Australian, so one of the biggest logistical hurdles was moving across the world to Portland to make the movie! It has been the biggest adventure in my life, and I fell in love along the way - they have been the best years of my life but also the hardest. Like all filmmakers, funding is challenging. The creative side of it is one thing but even a very intimate movie can cost a million bucks. Directing myself to a performance that I found acceptable was definitely challenging and I drew on my collaborators like Portland-based co-producer AJ Gordon to be honest and make sure I was getting what I needed out of myself. You don't want to get to the edit room and hate your leading man - even if it's you! Ceara is a born performer but not a trained actor, so we also had to find our own language and shorthand which was a little different to how I directed working actors like Joe Reitman and Jazlyn Yoder.

- What did you learn/discover about this world while making this film?

That domination and submission are two sides of the same coin.

- What film and filmmakers inspire you?

Nightcrawler did a great job of exploring a seedy netherworld in a truthful way. I also like protagonists who may not be 'likeable' but are compelling. I could have made my character more likeable to be honest, but it felt blander. I really decided to embrace the ambiguity of all these characters. Looked at various films that blend fact and fiction formally - Man Bites Dog, The Girlfriend Experience. My producer Jonathon Green encouraged me to revisit the 80s Scorsese movie After Hours - a great example of the 'one way trip to hell' downward spiral narrative. My favorite filmmakers do not make films in my style - part of growing is moving past influence and finding your own voice. I feel I'm now starting to do that after making films since I was a teenager.

- How has been your experience at BFF?

Amazing vibe, hot crowds - and come on... what other city would you rather have your World Premiere?

- What's your most favorite and least favorite thing about New York?

There's always something to do. I saw Bryan Cranston in Network on Broadway last night. Seeing Colbert live on Tuesday. Walked to the Guggenheim yesterday. There is no other city on earth with such a plethora of options at your disposal. My least favorite thing is also related to my favorite thing... sometimes the relentless pace can be exhausting. I make sure to take time out to meditate and do yoga to recharge.

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Use Me BBF page with trailer & tickets: https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=2050

Use Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usememovie/ 

Use Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/usememovie

Use Me on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/usememovie/