32nd Hamptons International Film Festival Announces Award Winners; Best Narrative and Documentary Features Revealed
EAST HAMPTON, NY – The 32nd Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), presented by HamptonsFilm, has announced its award winners for feature and short competition categories, along with the audience awards. This year’s festival featured a diverse array of films, with 45% directed by women, and included entries from 50 countries. The festival screened 89 feature films and 61 short films, with several premieres, including 14 World Premieres.
Top Honors
- Best Narrative Feature: Armand – Directed by Halfdan Ullman Tøndel
- Best Documentary Feature: Viktor – Directed by Olivier Sarbil
Both films were awarded cash prizes and substantial in-kind goods and services. Armand explores the complexities of human nature, earning praise from the Narrative Competition Jury for its gripping narrative and strong performances. Viktor captivated the Documentary Competition Jury with its striking visuals and sound design, telling the story of resilience amidst conflict.
Short Film Winners
- Best Narrative Short Film: L’Avance – Directed by Djiby Kebe
- Best Documentary Short Film: Until He’s Back – Directed by Jacqueline Baylon
Both films were awarded cash prizes and are eligible for Academy Awards® consideration. Additional special mentions included Beautiful Men for its originality in the portrayal of masculinity and Walk with Me for its intimate storytelling.
Audience Awards
- Best Narrative Feature: Bob Trevino Likes It – Directed by Tracie Laymon
- Best Documentary Feature: The World According to Allee Willis – Directed by Alexis Spraic
- Best Short Film: A Swim Lesson – Directed by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack
These audience-selected films reflected the diverse tastes of festivalgoers, highlighting unique stories from around the world.
Special Awards
- Artemis Rising Foundation Award for Social Impact: Zurawski v Texas – Directed by Maisie Crow & Abbie Perrault
- Peter Macgregor-Scott Memorial Award: Jane Austen’s Period Drama – Directed by Julia Aks and Steve Pinder
- Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution: Antidote – Directed by James Jones
- Victor Rabinowitz & Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice: I’m Your Venus – Directed by Kimberly Reed
- Zelda Penzel “Giving Voice to the Voiceless” Award: Checkpoint Zero – Directed by Joshua Zeman
- Suffolk County Next Exposure Grant: Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point – Directed by Tyler Taormina
- Sherzum Awards: A Nice Indian Boy and Sabbath Queen
New York Women in Film & Television Awards
- Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking: Bob Trevino Likes It
- Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking: The Last of the Sea Women
University Short Film Awards honored emerging talent, awarding $500 each to films including Praeis (London Film School), Tornado (NYU), and Bug Diner (California Institute of the Arts).
Notable Honors
Previously announced award recipients include:
- Career Achievement in Acting: Demi Moore
- Dick Cavett Artistic Champion Award: Liev Schreiber
- Breakthrough Performer: Clarence Maclin
- Breakthrough Director: Malcolm Washington
- Achievement in Screenwriting: Meg LeFauve & Dave Holstein
The festival, known for its role in awards season, awarded over $130,000 in prizes this year. HIFF thanks its sponsors, including the Artemis Rising Foundation, Audi, UBS, and more.
For more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.
