37th Festival Awards

Jury Awards

Jury Award - Best Feature Film

Winner - Listen Up!

The Jury selected Listen Up! for its original concept and an unflinching commentary on racism, religion and class, as well as the cast’s fantastic comedic performances.

Special Mention - Sebastian

The Jury also recognized Sebastian for its original storytelling that blended a modern exploration of the sex work industry and inter-generational relationships.

Jury Award - Best Documentary

Winner - Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes

Hidden Master: The Legacy of George Platt Lynes was praised by the Festival Jury "for bringing to light the life of one of the first openly gay American artists, nearly forgotten by history. Both his art and his life were noteworthy, and we are thankful that his work and his story were preserved. We also hope that this film will renew interest in exhibiting his masterful work in galleries across America."

Jury Award - Best Short Film

Winner - Totems

Totems tells the story of friendship, and the lengths to which close friends will go to preserve the honor and memory of their loved one. The Festival Jury was impressed by the strong performances of the entire cast, the universal message of the film, and the flawless delivery of both humor and sentimentality.

Runner Up - Some Kind of Paradise

Some Kind of Paradise was a modern romance showing how love can be sparked in the most unlikely of places and can lead to lasting change.

Special Mention - If

If tells the story of two women separated by arranged marriage, but destiny brings them to a strange crossroad in life.

Rising Star Award

**M. H. Murray (I Don't Know Who You Are)**

The Rising Star Award, in memory of festival volunteer and supporter Pam Connelly, highlights and rewards new talent in the independent film industry. The 2024 Rising Star Award was awarded to Canadian writer/director M.H. Murray for his film I Don’t Know Who You Are. Out Film CT Festival Director Shane Engstrom states, "M.H. Murray has received accolades for his web series Teenagers, which he has written and directed from the age of 23. By writing, directing, producing and editing his first feature film, Murray has elevated his artistry and has demonstrated an impressive ability to bring compelling stories to life. We look forward to seeing more feature films from Murray in the years ahead.”

Director's Award

**Anthony Schatteman (Young Hearts)**

The Director’s Award, selected by festival director Shane Engstrom, is presented to Anthony Schatteman, writer/director of Young Hearts. Engstrom states, "Young Hearts is a highly personal story based on the filmmaker’s own life growing up in rural Belgium. While Anthony wasn’t able to attend the festival in person, his pre-recorded Q&A bridged the distance and resonated with our audience, as Anthony shared the behind-the-scenes details and motivations that they were eager to hear about. He said that he ‘made the movie that I needed to see when I was young’ after he struggled with his own sexuality at a young age and couldn’t find the answers he needed from home, school, books and movies. We agree that this was the movie we all needed at that age.”