20th Canadian LGBTTQ* Short Film Competition Winners (2023)
Jury Choice - Short Film
Grown in Darkness
Director: Devin Shears
Bio: Devin Shears is a filmmaker from St. John’s NL. Currently pursuing an MFA in Film at York University.
Awards: William F. White International Inc. $1000 grant; Reel Pride Film Festival $500 cash award
Audience Choice - Best Short Film Award
Jury Choice - Manitoba’s Best Short Award
Purple City
Director: Noam Gonick & Michael Walker
Bio: MICHAEL WALKER
An art photographer with a worldwide following on social media, Michael’s work is primarily self-portraiture with a focus on his own body within a domestic sphere. Purple City is his first film, both as an actor and director.
Bio: NOAM GONICK
A filmmaker and artist, Noam has an enduring interest in social activism, sexuality and our connections across racial and class divides, often influenced by the palette of his hometown, Winnipeg.
Awards: William F. White International Inc. $1000 grant; Reel Pride Film Festival $1000 cash award, Winnipeg Film Group WFG Package – one year General Membership with production add-ons
Jury Choice - Best Community Reflection Award
Colours of the Lake
Director: James Cooper
Bio: James is an aspiring director, actor, and scriptwriter with a background in theatre, improvisation, and digital media production. James’ latest and greatest passion is inspiring audiences to feel more deeply connected to themselves through the art they create.
Awards: Reel Pride Film Festival $500 cash award
Jury Choice - Top Emerging Filmmaker Award
Hook up
Director: Coby Friesen
Bio: Coby Friesen is a Winnipeg-based storyteller. He spends his days, writing, acting, directing and working in a bookstore.
Awards: Winnipeg Film Group WFG Package – one year General Membership with production add-ons; Reel Pride Film Festival $500 cash award
2023 Short Film Competition Awards
JURY CHOICE AWARD
Judged by: Jury
Criteria: Best Short Film of the 20th Competition
Sponsored by: William F White International
Value: $1000 in-kind equipment rental grant
Sponsored by: Reel Pride Film Festival
Value: $500 cash
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
Judged by: Audience
Criteria: Best Short Film of the 20th Competition
Sponsored by: William F White International
Value: $1000 in-kind equipment rental grant
Sponsored by: Reel Pride Film Festival
Value: $500 cash
MANITOBA’S BEST AWARD
Judged by: Jury
Criteria: Short is Filmed in Manitoba
Sponsored by: Winnipeg Film Group
Value: WFG Package – one year General Membership with production add-ons
Sponsored by: Reel Pride Film Festival
Value: $500 cash
TOP EMERGING FILMMAKER AWARD
Judged by: Jury
Criteria: Best Short Film from an emerging filmmaker who has less than three years experience as a filmmaker.
No minimum or maximum age limitation.
Sponsored by: RBC
Value: $500 cash
BEST COMMUNITY REFLECTION AWARD
Judged by: Jury
Criteria: Best Short reflecting the complexity/diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community
Sponsored by: Reel Pride Film Festival
Value: $500 cash
Other Official Selections:
Arc-en-Noir
EPHEMERA
In the Cards
MABUHAY: Musical Broadway Dream
Our / Their Parade
Sounds of Hell
The Other Woman
2023 Short Film Competition Jury:
Christian Delaquis
Ben Waldman
Rose Murego