ShortsFest Weekend, Seattle International Film Festival’s celebration of short films, that takes place every year over Memorial Day Weekend, announced this year’s Jury Award winners. This year’s Festival which runs May 18 to June 11, features 163 short films, including 22 World, 12 North American, and 19 US premieres.
2017 SIFF SHORTSFEST AWARD WINNERS
LIVE-ACTION
GRAND JURY PRIZE
WOMEN & WINE (NORWAY), directed by Liv Karin Dahlstrøm
JURY STATEMENT: For its honest depiction of friendship that, over a short period of time, authentically runs the spectrum from silly and beautiful to awkward and heartbreaking, we give the Jury Award for Best Live Action Short to Women&Wine, directed by Liv Karin Dahlstrom.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
NOTHING EVER REALLY ENDS (NORWAY), directed by Jakob Rørvik
JURY STATEMENT: For its exceptional craftsmanship in all areas of the filmmaking process we decided that Nothing Ever Really Ends could not go unmentioned. From the writing and directing to the editing and acting this film unfolds effortlessly. And all in the service of an incredibly entertaining and relatable story.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
FANNY (NORWAY), directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
JURY STATEMENT: We’d also like to recognize a filmmaker who impressed us with an intimate and frank film about sexuality and loneliness. For his unique vision, heartbreaking honesty, and nuanced direction in the film Fanny, we’d like to award Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel a special jury award for emerging director.
DOCUMENTARY
GRAND JURY PRIZE
REFUGEE (USA), directed by Joyce Chen and Emily Moore
JURY STATEMENT: For many refugees, getting to the United States is only the first step of a decades-long journey. Refugee is the moving and powerful story of a mother of five, Aicha Diop, whose journey to obtain asylum encapsulates the hope of life in America, as well as its harsh political realities.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
WAITING FOR HASSANA (NIGERIA), directed by Ifunanya Maduka
JURY STATEMENT: By bringing to light one young girl’s traumatic experience, this important documentary gives a voice to all 276 teenage girls whose lives were violently interrupted by Boko Haram in 2014. This film is a necessary reminder that an issue doesn’t vanish when its hashtag stops trending.
ANIMATION
GRAND JURY PRIZE
PUSSY (POLAND), directed by Renata Gasiorowska
JURY STATEMENT: A witty and whimsical animated short about a girl and her body, Pussy quickly takes the audience on a wild ride through female sex positivity.
SPECIAL JURY MENTION
THE HEAD VANISHES (FRANCE), directed by Franck Dion
JURY STATEMENT: Through its beautiful animation and unique perspective, The Head Vanishes poignantly captures the exceptional challenges, the hopeful glimmers, the peaceful moments, and the continual struggles of dealing with a mentally ill parent.
FUTUREWAVE SHORTS AWARDS
WAVEMAKER AWARD (GRAND PRIZE)
$1000 prize supported by Amazon
Battles (CANADA, QUEBEC), directed by Karen Pinette Fontaine
JURY STATEMENT: For its richly composed visuals and poetic journey of self that takes the viewer from a hollow party atmosphere to a seemingly empty space that becomes filled with the narrator’s culture that is thriving within her.
PRODIGY CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
Each winner will be awarded a $1250 scholarship to the Prodigy Camp.
The Petition (USA), directed by Riley Goodwin and Kibiriti Majuto