A documentary on the origins of the anti-gay movement, 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture directed by Sharon “Rocky” Roggio won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the 47th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF47) which took place March 22nd – April 1st, 2023. The documentary follows the story of tireless researchers who trace the origins of the anti-gay movement among Christians to a grave mistranslation of the Bible in 1946.
In addition, CIFF47 presented its fifth DReam Maker Award to award-winning filmmaker, director, and co-producer of the CIFF47 film 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture: Sharon “Rocky” Roggio.
The Festival also celebrated the third year of its Groundbreaker Award. CIFF47 present its Groundbreaker Award to Vivek Bald and Alaudin Ullah, co-directors of the CIFF47 film In Search Of Bengali Harlem.
In the short film category It’s a Gray, Gray, World, directed by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib won Best Animated Short Award; Girl No. 60427, directed by Shulamit Lifshitz won Best Live Action Short Award; and Girl No. 60427, directed by Shulamit Lifshitz won Best Live Action Short Award. These award winners will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards.
CIFF47 Streams, presented by PNC, takes place April 2 – 9, 2023 online. Hundreds of films will be available on demand.
CIFF48 will take place April 3 – 13, 2024 at Playhouse Square.
Complete list of winners of the 47th Cleveland International Film Festival
FEATURE FILM AWARD WINNERS
Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film
1946: THE MISTRANSLATION THAT SHIFTED CULTURE, directed by Sharon “Rocky” Roggio (USA)
Reel Women Direct Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman
Christine Yoo (for 26.2 TO LIFE; USA)
George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern European Competition
PAMFIR, directed by Dmytro Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk (Ukraine, France, Poland, Chile)
Nesnadny + Schwartz Portrait Documentary Competition
MAY THE SCHWARTZ BE WITH YOU Director’s Award
JOONAM, directed by Sierra Urich (USA)
New Direction Competition
JOYLAND, directed by Saim Sadiq (Pakistan, USA)
Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition
20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL, directed by Mstyslav Chernov (Ukraine)
Global Health Competition
NURSE UNSEEN, directed by Michele Josue (USA)
American Independents Competition
PLAYING THROUGH, directed by Balbinka Korzeniowska (USA)
Local Heroes Competition
WE ARE THE TROOPERS, directed by Jonathon Kimble (USA)
Ad Hoc Docs Competition
CHOP & STEELE, directed by Ben Steinbauer and Berndt Mader (USA)
International Narrative Competition
MY SAILOR, MY LOVE, directed by Klaus Härö (Finland, Ireland)
FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Feature Film
JUNETEENTH: FAITH & FREEDOM, directed by Ya’Ke Smith (USA)
SHORT FILM AWARD WINNERS
Audience Choice Award for Best Short Film Overall
One Small Visit, directed by Jo Chim (Canada)
Best Animated Short Award*
It’s a Gray, Gray, World, directed by Seyed Mohsen Pourmohseni Shakib (Iran)
$1,000 cash prize
Best Documentary Short Award*
A Chocolate Lens, directed by Gabriel Veras (USA)
Best Live Action Short Award*
Girl No. 60427, directed by Shulamit Lifshitz (Israel)
FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Short Film
Foreign Uncle Directed by Sining Xiang (China, USA)