The queer action romantic comedy Artist Unknown, directed by Cinder Chou, is the winner of the Jury prize at the 2023 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival. The film tells the story of an insecure unlucky-in-love martial artist who must find out the origins of a painting after two thieves attempt to steal it from her. Kerry Lacy also won the award for Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature for her performance in the film.
The Audience Choice and Outstanding Feature Documentary prizes went to The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow Goes to Haiti, directed by Alain Martin. This documentary opens with Martin reading a letter to his deceased grandfather in which he recalls their conversation about the chronic troubles that plague his country – Haiti. Through powerful firsthand accounts and archival footage, this film sheds light on a lesser-known piece of history and its present-day implications.
The musical comedy Mother of All Shows starring Wendie Malick, took the prizes for Outstanding Narrative Feature, and Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature for Melissa D’Agostino. In the film, in order for Liza to cope with the impending death of her estranged mother, she retreats to a 70’s variety show in her mind where the all-powerful host is her own mother, Rosa played by Wendie Malik.
The other top prize Outstanding Ensemble Performance went to $ Broke Boi directed by David Bell, Mecca Medina. The film follows a weed delivery boy, with dreams of being an NYC Hustler, who gets robbed of his stash and profits at the worst time. He #Brokeboi and friends have twelve hours to make as much money as they can to pay back the supplier, while also trying to make it to the “Party of The Summer”.
Complete list of winners of 2023 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival
Outstanding Cinematography: MARTYR OF A FORGOTTEN DREAM
Outstanding Sound: MISPRINT
Outstanding Editing: 300 HOURS
Outstanding Musical Score: STILLNESS
Outstanding Ensemble Performance: $ BROKE BOI
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Short: Alexandra Rey in GOOD GIRL
Outstanding Performance in a Narrative Feature: Kerry Lacy in ARTIST UNKNOWN
Outstanding Animation: HANDWRITTEN
The Dark Side Award: THE BUTTON GAME
The Vanguard Award: AGITA
Outstanding Comedy: HOLD TO DASH
Outstanding Drama: HAKONIWA
Outstanding Short Documentary: THREE LESSONS (HOW TO SHOOT A GUN)
Outstanding Feature Documentary: THE FORGOTTEN OCCUPATION: JIM CROW GOES TO HAITI
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Short: Edward Worthy for REAR
Outstanding Director of a Narrative Feature: Melissa D’Agostino for MOTHER OF ALL SHOWS
Outstanding Narrative Short: FLOPPIES
Outstanding Narrative Feature: MOTHER OF ALL SHOWS
Outstanding Screenplay: GODFOR, written by Pablo Torroella
Jury Prize: ARTIST UNKNOWN
Audience Choice: THE FORGOTTEN OCCUPATION: JIM CROW GOES TO HAITI