Circle Award: Our Lady of the Nile

We felt that this film deserves to be seen by a wider audience because of the evocative manner in which the filmmaker depicts the cosseted world of school girls on the verge of womanhood as they wrestle with the everyday challenges of growing up, while also dealing with turmoil and horrific violence intruding from the wider world. The director foreshadows the coming civil unrest in Rwanda, with well-cast actors, visually-arresting scenery, and lyrical storytelling to offer a compelling and poetic look at the full spectrum of human nature.

We were struck by the fact that both films take place in the protective environment of elite schools. But as both films show, no matter what we do, we can never be sure that our children will be safe.

Circle Award: 1982

We'd also like to give special recognition to the film 1982. We felt that its small stories of love—romantic, filial, parental, platonic, and puppy love—set against and paralleling the larger canvas of war reminds us of the deeply felt personal effect of global conflict.

We were struck by the fact that both films take place in the protective environment of elite schools. But as both films show, no matter what we do, we can never be sure that our children will be safe.

Signis Award: 1982

1982 draws us into the lives of middle school children and their teachers coming to terms with what counts most in their lives – love and friendship – as their world in Beirut, Lebanon, begins to come under Israeli bombardment. First-time director Oualid Mouaness deftly manages the growing tensions as jets flying overhead threaten this peaceful enclave of non-combatants, while avoiding military and political issues. What we see unfolding are relationships which, at the end of the film, promise to sustain the ordinary people whose lives will be caught up in war.

Signis Commendation: Yalda: A Night For Forgiveness

The Iranian film Yalda tackles the universal issue of forgiveness in a unique way, while giving audiences a look at another world culture. A teenage bride who has accidentally killed her husband appears on a reality TV show on which she is expected to apologize to, and be forgiven by, the daughter of the man killed. If all goes as planned the daughter will be awarded the blood money she is due, and the young widow will be free of legal consequences. Told briskly, with effective tension, the story reveals how complex the human reality of forgiveness can be. At the same time it suggests a critique of media manipulation of religious belief for the sake of entertainment.

Shorts Award: A Mother

While the 16 shorts in this year's festival are the works of filmmakers from a wide gamut of experience and renown, the purpose of the Short Cuts Award is to shine a light on an emerging filmmaker with a bright future.

We present the 2020 Short Cuts Award to director Natasha Ngaiza for her film, A Mother, in recognition of her transmutation of anxiety and moral uncertainty into a visual and auditory experience unique to the possibilities of cinema. With deft camera work, carefully crafted soundscapes, thematic use of color and a multi-faceted script, she eases us into the slippery fusion of waking experience and dream states. In this story of a Black middle class mother of two struggling with her decision to end a pregnancy, the synthesis of the subconscious and conscious liberates the protagonist to accept her decisions and move on with her life.

Special Commendation: Acuitzeramo

A Special Commendation goes to director Miguel Angel Caballero and producer Luis Aldena for their film Acuitzeramo. The emotional landscape of Salvador, a gay elder grieving the passing of his longtime partner, Roberto, is delicately revealed through an artful screenplay. Each phrase uttered in this quiet drama is important. The nuanced direction allows us to perceive this humble man, whose unassuming dignity transforms the mistrust and misconceptions of Roberto’s estranged son into a shared opportunity to heal.

We look forward to seeing more outstanding independent work from all of these filmmakers in the years to come.

Justice Matters Award: La Llorona

The 2020 Justice Matters Jurors are pleased to award the Filmfest DC 2020 Justice Matters Award to La Llorona. Jayro Bustamante's haunting film is built around a little-known genocide where an estimated 250,000 Native Ixil Mayan were killed by the Guatemalan military in the 1980s. The film weaves the story through the Latin American Folktale La Llorona. Through superb acting and imagery those complicit through their silence are called to account by the Supernatural presence of "the Weeping Woman." The film's artistic qualities and haunting portrayal challenges us to confront a painful history of impunity.

Justice Matters Award: Pureza

The Committee would also like to give an Honorary Mention Award to Pureza and Director Renato Barbieri for his insightful, moving and revealing depiction of modern slave practices, the brutal treatment of workers in the Brazilian Amazon, and one woman's brave and determined pursuit to save her son from the grip of slavery.