ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL

Independent spirit: SFIFF announces its 2020 award winners

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Like most festivals, the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival was forced to get creative when presenting its 12th edition.

This included streaming films, as well as teaming up with Motorama at the Downs Santa Fe for some drive-in films.

“While SFiFF has adjusted to the circumstances, our mission remains the same, and the artist outreach and cultural significance of our festival are now more essential than ever,” says Liesette Paisner-Bailey, SFiFF exeutive director. “We are delighted to recognize the talents of our filmmakers and announce the following outstanding films, which have earned top scores from our festival jury.”

SFIFF WINNERS 2020

Best Narrative Feature
“Our Own” directed by Jeanne Leblanc
Best Documentary Feature
“MLK/FBI” directed by Sam Pollard

Best New Mexico Feature
“Truth or Consequences” directed by Hannah Jayanti

Best U.S. Short
“Lost Kings” directed by Brian Lawes

Best International Short
“The Present” directed by Farah Nabulsi

Best Documentary Short
“My Brother’s Keeper” directed by Laurence Topham

Best Animated Short
“Grand Adventure Railroad” directed by Hsiao-Shan Huang

Best Experimental Short (TIE)
“Flora My Dear” directed by Dan Janos and “Pile” directed by Toby Auberg

Best Overall New Mexico Short, Best NM Documentary Short
“Mermaids Against Plastic: Tamara” directed by Sylvia Johnson

Best New Mexico Narrative Short
“Away, Together” directed by Sana Malik