BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE

Directed by Joseph E. Austin II

“Sundays In July” takes an intimate look at two lovers navigating the minefield of their egos, fears, and flaws to dive into the most foreign and uncharted territory- true love.

BEST FOREIGN NARRATIVE FEATURE

Directed by Collyns Tafial, Kalenge Tafial

Karl is a homeless youth. He is settled at the edge of a Parisian canal and manages by himself. Karl takes care over his appearance to hide his homeless status. In this life of ups and downs, Karl will meet a young lady, Alicia, and her son Kelyan, who will disrupt his daily life.

BEST REGIONAL NARRATIVE SHORT

Directed by Anton Deshawn

From shady record execs, rival groups and bitter infighting, follow the meteoric rise of a 90’s R&B group told through a music exposé.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Directed by Rodrick Wimberly and Senuell Smith

This is the untold story of the role of Chicago's Chosen Few DJs in the creation and popularization of this international musical genre and the celebration of the 25th Annual Chosen Few Music Fest where 50,000 people of different races, ages, and sexual orientation come together in unity, peace, and love in one of the most challenging environments in the country.

This film also won Audience Award for Best DocumentaryDescription goes here

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Directed by Emmanuel Terrell

Emmanuel Terrell is a west side Chicago native, who recently graduated from Taylor University in Upland, IN, where he studied Film and Media Production. He was a wrestler for most of his life so when his now fiancé, Rachel Gray, a graduate of Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, told him about the school's highly successful wrestling program, he knew he wanted to feature its athletes in film.Description goes here

BEST NARRATIVE SHORT

Directed by Nailah Robinson

As tragedy strikes down the street in Washington DC on 9/11/2001, 11 year old, stoic Jamila navigates her pre-teenage life and waits for her mom to come home from the Pentagon so that they can celebrate her birthday.

BEST ANIMATED FILM

Directed by Ken Lewis

“Gangsta Island” is fully animated dark quirky comedy that brings back the nostalgia that we all loved prior to the social media era: kids playing outside, boomboxes, the Golden Era of Hip-Hop, handwritten letters to love interests, and the grade school bully. It is a shocking, clever, and innovative story that will surely make you laugh and cry...sometimes simultaneously!

HOMEGROWN AWARD

Directed by: Chris Parker Robinson

This is the story of Gary, Indiana. A City that has been Looted by America, Lake County & even it's own citizens.

DIRECTORS AWARD For NARRATIVE STORY

Directed By Megan Ebor

What does Trauma look like? How does it manifest if unresolved in our communities? Inspired by real-life events, TRY, reveals the stories of 3 HIV+ support group members as they struggle to use new strategies for coping with the ups and downs of life-- past and present.