Best Narrative Short - Oscar Qualifying Award
Reunion
Directors/Writers: Timothy S Naylor, Zainab Jah
Producers: Djaka Souaré, Timothy S Naylor, Zainab Jah
Narrative, 15 min.
Isata, a West African immigrant living in the Bronx, while watching a morning talk show recognizes the guest, bestselling author, Mamadou Kargbo. He triggers in her deep memories of surviving a civil war. She wonders, was he once the child soldier who destroyed her family? Setting out to find him, if she is right - will she seek vengeance or grant forgiveness?
Best Documentary
NEGRITA
Writer: Magdalena Albizu
Directed by: Magdalena Albizu
Producer: Ingrid Matias, Eddie Savoy Bailey
Documentary, 50 min.
NEGRITA is a feature documentary about diverse Afro Latinas who explore and confront culture and racism while defining their own identity in the United States. NEGRITA explores the ideology of Blackness, and how both American and Latino cultures perpetuate the belief that Blackness is to be destroyed. Through personal accounts, family pictures, old videos, and interactions with family and friends, NEGRITA will follow the director's own struggle with identity.
Best Documentary Short
Sydney G. James: How We See It
Best Animation
Blueberry
Writer: Stephanie Glover
Directed by: Stephanie Glover
Producer: Stephanie Glover
Animation, Short; 5 min.
A determined, practical boy has a change of heart when his favorite food comes to life.
Best Experimental
I AM NOT OK
Writer: Tiffiney Davis
Directed by: Gabrielle Lansner
Producer: Ben Glickstein, Dean Taucher, Gabrielle Lansner
Documentary, 12:10 min.
A mother and son respond to the unending killings of black Americans amidst the backdrop of the protests that followed the death of George Floyd. Dance and archival photographs are woven together to evoke fear, outrage, and anger and the need for communities to come together and find solutions.
Best Comedy Award
A.V. Van
Writer: Morayo Akandé
Directed by: Morayo Akandé
Producer: Helen Gladders, Moyo Akandé
Narrartive, 12:17 min.
Two film-fanatic sisters try to reconnect with their estranged deceased father by selling his vintage porn collection.
Best Director
Here Is A Man
Writer: Jarvis D. Matthews
Directed by: Sideeq Heard
Producer: Jarvis D. Matthews, Joanna White-Oldham
Narrative, 18:32 min.
Donny, a young black musician, is on the cusp of becoming the greatest soul singer of the 1970's, but the quiet dread within his own mind threatens to derail his future. This is film is inspired by the life, legacy, and music of Donny Hathaway.
Best Screenplay (Tie)
Esperanza
Writer: Shruti Parekh
Directed by: Shruti Parekh
Producer: Laura Scarano,Shruti Parekh
Narrative, 18 min.
When an immigrant taxi driver in upstate New York takes an undocumented couple to the Canadian border, they find themselves at odds in the shared pursuit of a better life.
Grandma's Magic Pills
Director/Writer: Jing-Yu Xiao
Narrative, 14:09 min.
A young girl discovers her grandmother’s mysterious magic pills. A beautiful story on a strong bond between a granddaughter and grandmother who loves dancing.
Reel Cinematography
Reunion
Directors/Writers: Timothy S Naylor, Zainab Jah
Producers: Djaka Souaré, Timothy S Naylor, Zainab Jah
Narrative, 15 min.
Isata, a West African immigrant living in the Bronx, while watching a morning talk show recognizes the guest, bestselling author, Mamadou Kargbo. He triggers in her deep memories of surviving a civil war. She wonders, was he once the child soldier who destroyed her family? Setting out to find him, if she is right - will she seek vengeance or grant forgiveness?
Reel Sisters Spirit Award
Fake It Til You Make It
Director/Writer: Kimrie Lewis
Producer: Sonja Perryman
Narrative, 8:46 min.
Based on a true story, Fake It Til You Make It is a comedy that tells the story of a hustler-at-heart finally deciding to play by her own rules. In order to succeed as a black actress in 2005 Hollywood, Kira Lawson has to first take on the role of a white man.
Honorable Mentions (Tie)
The Bond – USA(CA)
Director/Writer: Jahmil Eady
Producer: Jahmil Eady, Selena Leoni, Reina Higashitani
Narrative, 15:50 min.
Pregnant and incarcerated, Aria fights for her most precious connection against a system designed to isolate her.
Confirmation
Writer: Nana Duffuor
Directed by: Nana Duffuor
Producer: Yaél Bermudez
Narrative, 11:49 min.
Maame is a God-fearing mother who wants nothing but the best for her son, Kojo. But when he befriends an out and proud, expressive young man in their church, Maame must confront her fear of accepting Kojo’s burgeoning sexual identity or risk losing him.