This year’s UNO Film Fest award jury for the Graduate Thesis Prize consisted of Landon Zakheim (Programmer, Short Films at Sundance, Associate Programmer at Tribeca Film Festival, and Co-Founder & Co-Director of The Overlook Film Festival) and Zaf Yumru (Director of Marketing and Communications at the New Orleans Film Society and Co-Director Patois New Orleans International Human Rights Festival). The jury met virtually to deliberate and award this year's prizes.
The remainder of this year’s prizes, kindly donated by our sponsors, were awarded by the UNO Film Festival class.
Graduate Thesis Prize
1999 by R. Morgan
The jury awards 1999 by Robbie Morgan the Graduate Thesis Prize for its authentic performances, well thought out character development, and attention to detail - all tied together by a strong ensemble and noteworthy direction.
Graduate Thesis Prize - Honorable Mention
The Way Home by B. Cunningham
Gary by B. Donnellon
Honorable Mention for Emotional Storytelling and Convincing Cast.
Honorable Mention for Superior Craftsmanship.
Best Student Film
Do You Love Me? by KC Simms & Maison Harris
Honorable Mention: Her Teeth and Where To Find Them (Kelsey Scult) & Timbre (Marion Forbes)
Best Emerging Professional Film
Blue Country by Jordan Johnson
Honorable Mention: HBD (Ruby Green)
Best Actress
Sadie May in Artifacts
Honorable Mention: Maile Zox (Yelena), Normeka Ageous (A Frantic Love III), & Jordan Joseph (Tender Curiosity)
Best Actor
Ja'Quan Henderson in Goodbye
Honorable Mention: Mason Willis (Dancing is the Best Revenge) & Justin Davis (Blue Country)
Best Editing
Robbie Morgan for 1999
Honorable Mention: Dustin Foret (Just Chill)
Best Sound
Holly Ferrari in Multiple Films
Best Cinematography
Ben Donnellon in Multiple Films