The 2015 Tribeca Films Festival displayed a wide array of films that surpassed genre, race, sex, and norm. A constant champion of inclusion for the “different and new”, the Tribeca Film Festival continues its tradition to honor and showcase films otherwise excluded from other festivals. This year, the festival saw much of the attention going towards women filmmakers, who walked away with awards and distribution deals.
Virgin Mountain dir. Dagur Kári (Denmark, Iceland)
This film took home two of the most coveted awards of the night: Best Narrative Feature and Best Screenplay. Virgin Mountain follows a 43-year-old socially awkward man named Fúsi as he is pressured to join a dance class by his family. The Jury absolutely loved the film, stating, “with its mixture of humor and pathos, this film captured our heats.”
Democrats dir. Camilla Nielsson (Denmark)
As Zimbabwe transitions from a corrupt authoritarian leadership toward a new constitution, Nielsson follows Paul Mangwana and Douglas Mwonzora, two men appointed to the newly formed bipartisan constitutional committee. They hail from rival political parties, but must overcome their differences to form an unlikely alliance. The doc was awarded Best Documentary Feature, with the Jury applauding its efforts “for prioritizing dignity, courage, and our common struggle for humanity.”
Sworn Virgin dir. Laura Bispuri (Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Kosovo, Albania)
The Nora Ephron Prize this year was awarded to the phenomenal film Sworn Virgin. At a time when gender, gender identity, and gender politics are at the forefront of social issues, director Laura Bispuri focuses on a young woman living as a chaste man in a Northern Albanian Village. The Jury called it, “a truly original story that touches on gender identity and oppression in a way that members of this jury have rarely seen before.” Sworn Virgin is slated for international distribution from Strand Releasing.
Special mention: Meadowland dir. Reed Morano (USA)
Reed Morano made her first directorial debut with the drama film Meadowland, starring Olivia Wilde and Luke Wilson as two parents trying to cope with the news of their missing son. Morano is a multi-award winning cinematographer, with credits that include Frozen River, Kill Your Darlings, and The Skeleton Twins.
The 2015 Tribeca Films Winners
The Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature Virgin Mountain
Best Documentary Feature Democrats
Best Cinematography in a Narrative Feature Film Magus Jønck, Bridgend
Best Editing in a Narrative Feature Film Oliver Bugge Coutté, Bridgend
Best Editing in a Documentary Feature Valerio Bonelli, Palio
Best Screenplay for a Narrative Feature Film Dagur Kári, Virgin Mountain
Nora Ephron Prize Laura Bispuri, Sworn Virgin
Best New Narrative Director Zachary Treitz, Men Go to Battle
Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film Hannah Murray, Bridgend
Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film Gunnar Jónsson, Virgin Mountain
Best Narrative Short Listen
Best Documentary Short Body Team 12
Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award Ewan McNicol & Anna Sandilands, Uncertain
Student Visionary Award Nina Thyberg, Catwalk
Bombay Sapphire Storyscapes Award Door Into the Dark
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