RIFF Announces 2019 Award-Winning Films
After five days of screening top-notch independent films, 11 filmmakers are now proud owners of the Rome International Film Festival Sylvia Award.
The staff and board of RIFF thank all of our visiting filmmakers, patrons, sponsors and attendees for helping us make the 16th festival one of the greatest yet.
Congratulations to the 2019 RIFF Award-Winning Films:
Shorts:
Best Family Friendly Short: Man In The Woods
Directed by Kevin James O'Neill - US
Jonathan is lost in a deep dark forest with nothing but a broken compass to find his way home.
Best Animated & Experimental: How Countries Fight Their Wars
Directed by Thomas Loopstra - The Netherlands.
A concept explored through animation shows how different countries fight their wars.
Best International Narrative Short: Atlas
Directed by Maciej Kawalski - Poland
The story takes us to a remote, and a bit crazy, psychiatric hospital, which receives a curious patient — the man doesn’t move nor speak, but spends his days standing with his hands up. The only thing known is his nickname — “Atlas”. In a word, he is a riddle, and a riveting one at that.
Best Domestic Short: Limerence
Directed by Charlene Fisk - US
When 10-year-old Park works up the nerve to give the girl across the street a love note, she faces the judgment of those closest to her. Will Park remain true to herself or become what others expect her to be?
Best Documentary Short: The Pull
Directed by Paul Szynol - US
After serving time in a New Hampshire jail, a freed inmate faces the pull of addiction.
Best Student Short: I Am Here
Directed by Amalia Williamson and Matt Long - US & Canada
Two refugee children are separated and taken to two different places. As both presumed the other dead, our siblings both live their lives with a hole that can't be filled. In a touching story, we see their journey to reunite and how fate, art and poetry bring the hope for our heroes and ourselves.
Features:
Best Animated Feature: SGT Stubby An American Hero
Directed by Richard Lanni - Ireland
”Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero" is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed animated feature based on the incredible true story of history's most decorated dog – "Stubby" – and the bonds he forged with a young soldier training for World War 1.
Best International Feature: A War Within
Directed by Kasper Torsting - Denmark
After three years at the front Esben flees the trenches of WWI to return to his beloved wife Kirstine and son Karl. But home is not what it used to be. The charming German officer, Gerhard, has done everything he can to win Kirstine's heart and take on the role as Karl’s father.
Best Narrative Feature: Reckoning
Directed by Lane & Ruckus Skye - US
After the disappearance of her husband, a struggling farmer in an isolated Appalachian community discovers she is a pawn in a blood-soaked revenge plot and the only way out for her and her son could mean destroying a decades-old truce.
Best Documentary Feature: When All That’s Left Is Love
Directed by Eric Gordon - US When All That’s Left is Love is the emotionally gripping story of a wife’s determination to care for her Alzheimer’s-stricken husband in their home. With unprecedented, behind-the-scenes access, the film reveals the toll that the disease takes on families coping with Alzheimer's, while also showcasing the power of love that sustains both patients and caregivers.
Audience Choice Awards:
Feature: A War Within
Directed by Kasper Torsting - Denmark
After three years at the front Esben flees the trenches of WWI to return to his beloved wife Kirstine and son Karl. But home is not what it used to be. The charming German officer, Gerhard, has done everything he can to win Kirstine's heart and take on the role as Karl’s father.
Short: Molly
Directed by Phyllis Jackson - US
He’s just your average, middle-aged divorcee looking for his first fix. Today he meets Molly.