31st Hamptons International Film Festival Announces Winners

The 31st Hamptons International Film Festival, presented by HamptonsFilm, today announced the winners for feature and short competition sections and audience awards. This year HIFF screened a lineup of films that are 49% female-directed and represent 42 countries from around the world. The festival had a record number of submissions this year and screened 72 features and 46 shorts with 8 World Premieres, 3 North American Premieres, 12 US Premieres, 13 East Coast Premieres, and 7 New York Premieres. All feature and short competition section screenings were sponsored by Silvercup Studios.

HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONGRATULATES THE 2023 WINNERS:

HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Feature

20,000 SPECIES OF BEES, directed by Estibaliz Urresola Solaguren

The Narrative Feature Competition honors emerging directors who represent cinema’s next generation of innovative film artists. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the film received a $2,500 cash prize, and $72,500 in in-kind goods and services, sponsored by Panavision, Hamptons Locations, and On Location Education.

“The narrative feature award is given to 20,000 SPECIES OF BEES, an exceptionally sensitive and nuanced portrayal of childhood, shown largely from the perspective of an eight-year-old struggling to understand their identity. The performances are heartbreaking, anchored by young Sofia Otero, who is a revelation. As gender issues are currently debated in loud and polemic terms, this outstanding film presents the feelings of a child with uncommon grace,” said Narrative Competition Jury members Arianna Bocco, David Koepp, and Matt Singer.

HIFF Best Narrative Feature Special Mention

THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, directed by Joanna Arnow

HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature

TELL THEM YOU LOVE ME, directed by Nick August-Perna

Featuring an array of powerful subjects, the Documentary Feature Competition honors new and distinctive voices in documentary filmmaking. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the winning Documentary Feature film receives a $2,500 cash prize and $20,000 in in-kind goods and services, sponsored by GreenSlate and 91 East Productions.

“With a strong group of documentary contenders at HIFF this year, we are proud that our selection for Best Documentary Feature is Nick August-Perna’s World Premiere feature film, TELL THEM YOU LOVE ME. We were greatly impressed with the way August-Perna constructed the telling of this controversial story—one that addresses issues of power, consent, and truth in the context of race, gender, and disability—with a sophisticated nuance that respects not only its subjects but the audience as well,” said Documentary Competition Jury members Caryn Coleman, Marie Therese Giurgis, and Carlos Sandoval.

HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Short Film

XIAOHUI AND HIS COWS, directed by Xinying Lao

Featuring exceptional technique and storytelling, the Narrative Short Competition honors the fresh perspectives of up-and-coming filmmakers. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the Narrative Short Competition winner will take home a cash prize of $1000 and qualify for Academy Award consideration.

HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Short Film

THE WAITING, directed by Volker Schlecht

The Documentary Short Competition celebrates new and emerging voices in the documentary film world. Juried by world-class filmmakers and industry professionals, the Documentary Short Competition winner will take home a cash prize of $1000 and qualify for Academy Award consideration.