Chelsea Film Festival announces 2023 winners
The 11th Annual Edition of Chelsea Film Festival announces its list of winners listed below by award category. It introduced American and foreign films to the public.
Edward Gonzalez Jr.’s These Days was the big winner, taking prizes for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Young Actor.
Burgeoning muralist Jay (Billy Mayorga Reyes) lives in Brentwood, NY, where his neighborhood of Salvadoran immigrants offers a rich tapestry of stories, traditions, and perspectives that have often been marginalized and overlooked. At age 15, he is involved in a local youth program aimed at both healing generational trauma and combating the lure of gang violence. While his survival depends on street smarts, his loving single mother (Carla Vila) uses tough love to keep him on the right path. A heartfelt debut from director Junior Gonzalez, THESE DAYS is a thoughtful, moving docudrama portrait of a vibrant Long Island community, as seen through the eyes of a promising young artist.
The Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) held its 2023 Edition in-person from October 12-15 at Regal Cinemas Union Square and online through FilmFestival+ until October 31st.
NARRATIVE FEATURE AWARD WINNERS
Grand Prix Award for Best Picture – THESE DAYS by Edward Gonzalez Jr.
Best Director – Edward Gonzalez Jr. for THESE DAYS
Best Actress – Cristiane Wersom in TREE HOUSE
Best Actor – Armand Assante in DON Q
Best Cinematography – Jess Dunlap for THE DIRTY SOUTH
Audience Award – HIGH TOUCH! by Karlie Hustle
Honorable Mention – IBIZA BLUE by Jesús Lloveras
Best Young Actress – Julia Schanker in FLYING LESSONS
Best Young Actor – Billy Mayorga in THESE DAYS
US NARRATIVE SHORT AWARD WINNERS
Petite Prix for Best Short Film – SAM by Jen Stafford, Ryan Thielen
Best Actress – Soleia Clark in SAM
Best Actor – Luke Tennie in JADE
Best Animation – WALLS by Michael C. Perry
Best Cinematography – Kyle Moe for SAM
Audience Award – LAYAWAY by Kaitlyn T. Busbee
INTERNATIONAL SHORT AWARD WINNERS
Petite Prix for Best Short Film – HEY, SHAWTY! by Sarah Démonio
Best Actress – Romane Arrendel in HEY, SHAWTY!
Best Actor – Mert Aykul in IN SEARCH OF DAD ONE NIGHT
Best Animation – SKINNED by Joachim Hérissé
Best Cinematography – Kirtan Hummelen for REQUIEM FOR A MARTYR
DOCUMENTARY AWARD WINNERS
Best Documentary Feature – ADDICTED TO LIFE by Pola Rapaport
Best Documentary Short – EUROPE BY BIDON by Samuel Albaric, Thomas Trichet
INDIE EPISODIC WINNER
RABBIT HOLE by Aaron Schoonover
SCREENWRITING INCUBATOR WINNER
CHRISTMAS IN JULY by Christopher Emmanuel London