The judges wish to recognize the Award of Merit winners for notable
artistic or technical aspects of their project in the categories entered.
A.L. Pruitt and MaKenna Perkal (USA), The Rich Kid Rules, Ep. 1: 362 Rules of a High School Dropout, Actress: Leading (Sienna Novikov as Sandy), Television – Pilot Program, Web Series, Actor: Supporting (John Henry Richardson as Chuck), Actor: Supporting (Ernest Walker as Dr. Engel), Actress: Supporting (Robyne Richards as Mom/Momma Bear/Grace)
Alvaro Beltran Janes (Spain), CROMAESCOPE – Episodes 2, 5 & 6, Web Series, Comedy Program / Series
Amelia Rich (USA), Kindred Spirits, Women Theme (Student), Film Short (Student)
Ben Radley (United Kingdom), TO BE A PHOENIX, Documentary Feature, Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays
Catherine Legault, Isabelle Phaneuf-Cyr, Rémy Huberdeau, Concerto Films (Canada), LARRY (they/them), Cinematography (Claire Sanford, Samuel Trudelle, Catherine Legault), Documentary Feature
Christopher Patrick Vallone (USA), Hellbound Fugitive, Film Short
Denise Gentilini (USA), Let Freedom Ring, Original Song (Denise Gentilini and Lisa Nemzo)
Jason Montgomery (Korea), Turncoat, Film Short, Script / Writer
Karin Shapiro (USA), A Road Out, Jewish Filmmaker
Liyu Qin (China), Follow Your Heart, Asian Theme
Lori Watt (Canada), Henderson, Actress: Leading (Lesli Brownlee as Ally)
Matt Risk (Canada), The Tree of Life, Script / Writer
Mazyar Mahan (USA), Exile Echoes, Documentary Short (Student), Script / Writer (Neda Sheyda), Use of Film / Video for Social Change (Student)
Michael Gosden (Australia), The Zoo, Web Series
Mike Hill (Australia), Conquering Skin Cancer, On-Camera Talent (non-acting) (Sue Collins and Mike Hill)
Pui I. Cheang (China), Drowning, Asian Theme
Rui Diogo, Denis Ndeloh and Muleng Timngun (USA), Baka, The Wisdom Of The Forest, Documentary Short
Sandie Ritter (United Kingdom), Art and Healing in Mendocino, Documentary Short (Student), Jewish Filmmaker (Student)
Vinosha Kiriwandeniya (Sri Lanka), Hello From the Other Side, Asian Filmmaker, Asian Theme
Yana Alliata (USA), Portrait of a Grieving Housewife, Film Short
Anthony Lolli and Tereza A. Hakobyan- Lolli (USA), Biohack Yourself Chapter 1: Lifespanning our Vitality, Documentary Feature
Audrey Whiteford-Woods (France), Between Thoughts, Film Short (Student)
Bryce Mackie (USA), Michigan Visits Matter: The Family Cost of Incarceration, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Charles Peachey and Amrit Hari (USA), violet, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Charles V. Peachey and Charles V. Reyes (USA), evanesce, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Charlie Hane (USA), Divorced Dads Hotel, Film Short (Student)
Chelsea Debo (USA), Men Who Live In Cars, Television – Pilot Program, Direction
Damian McLindon (Australia), The Last Time I Saw You, Film Short, Script / Writer
Dante Bellini Jr. (USA), MALASSADA DAY, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising, Documentary Short
Daryl Scott Granger (Canada), Netting the Waters, Documentary Feature
Dastan Khalili (USA), The Sniper, Film Short
Derek Jaskulski (USA), We’re Happy as Clams, Children / Family Programming, Music Video
Dimitri Logothetis (USA), Gunner, Film Feature, Direction
Fella Cederbaum (USA), The Orchid And The Daisy, Film Short
Franz Michael Gottleib and John Rausch (USA), Tango Fine’, Actor: Leading (Bryan Ferriter as Bryan)
Heidi Duckler Dance (USA), Alma Luz, Experimental
J.A. DellaRipa (USA), Another Saturday, Women Filmmakers
Jérôme Vandewattyne, Guillaume Campanacci, David Gregory, Douglas Buck, Truman Kewley, Martina Schöne-Radunski, Buddy Giovinazzo, Andreas Horvath, Patrycja Planik, Jen Gatien, Katsuki Kuroyanagi, Edgar Pêra (Belgium), One-Way Ticket to the Other Side, Experimental
Jim Menza (USA), Kick the Can, Actor: Leading (Adam Rebora as Dace St. Clair)
Jody Stelzig (USA), The WeedHacker Massacre, Actor: Leading (David Trevino as Willie Wonder), Original Song (The Ballad of Weedhacker Willie by Britton Buchanon)
Joe Michael Herbert, Rutledge Productions, Herbert Brothers Entertainment, and Van by the River Productions (USA), Charlie Moon Landing, Film Short, Direction
Jon Meggison (USA), Battle Of Love, Actor: Leading (Jon Meggison as Jeff), Script / Writer (Jon Meggison)
Keith Leon S. (USA), Navigating the Clickety-Clack: How to Live a Peace-Filled Life in a Seemingly Toxic World, Television – Program / Series
Leonard Alecu (Romania), Ice Breath, Direction
Lori Watt (Canada), Henderson, Direction, Cinematography (Rob Zawistowski)
Maryam Ghasemi (Iran), The Hidden, Asian Filmmaker
Morgan Notari (USA), Pushing Up Daisies, Animation (Student)
Nadereh Sadat Serki (Iran), Claimant, Women Filmmakers
Nan Xi (China), Vital Essence, Children / Family Programming
Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold and Espen Jan Folmo (Norway), LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution, Documentary Feature
Randy Dersham (USA), Oregon’s Boat: the McKenzie River Drift Boat, Documentary Short
Reza Nahvi (Iran), Duality, Cinematography (Reza Nahvi)
Rostam Nazari (Iran), Sayad Capello, Documentary Short
Sandie Ritter (United Kingdom), Art and Healing in Mendocino, Narration / Voiceover Talent (Student)
Scott Macklin (USA), JamCation: The Chronicles of Now Defunkt, Documentary Feature
Shaily Sanghvi and Naosheen Ahmed (USA), Pandaal, Actress: Leading (Naosheen Ahmed as Durga), Film Short, Women Filmmakers (Naosheen Ahmed)
Shayan Murray and Ten Alphas-Nick Bolton and Jess Milne (Australia), Trip Down Memory Lake, Disability Issues, Actor: Leading (Alex Bar as Young Joey)
Soronzonbold Bat-Erdene (Mongolia), Before Hello, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Steven Martini (USA), BitterSweet, Direction, Filmmaker with Disability, Film Feature
Tess Detwiler (USA), The Five Steps of Irish Catholic Grieving, Film Short (Student)
Tom Michaels (USA), Older Self, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Tom Michaels as Younger Ben, Older Ben Marsh)
Tomas Samaniego-Evans (USA), Juke Box Hero, Latin / Hispanic Filmmaker
Vijay Bosco (United Arab Emirates), Leab- Doors, Deals, Distance, Webisode
William R. Andrea (USA), The Raven (Nic Andrea & The Verdict), Original Song
Yana Alliata (USA), Portrait of a Grieving Housewife, Actress: Leading (Isabella Kaplan as Mrs. Parker), Direction