With the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival winding down, the event has announced the recipients of its two audience awards, which are given to the movies that attendees voted as the best of the festival. “Here Alone,” directed by Rod Blackhurst, won the prize for a narrative film, and “The Return” (pictured), directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway, took home the documentary award.
Aside from the recognition alone, each award also includes a $10,000 cash prize and work of fine art.
“It’s great to see audiences finding and supporting a true discovery film like ‘Here Alone’ and the powerful and affecting documentary ‘The Return.’ While very different films, both highlight the resilience of the human spirit,” said Festival Director Genna Terranova in a statement.
Runners-up were Priscilla Anany’s “Children of the Mountain” for the narrative audience award and Lloyd Kramer’s “Midsummer in Newtown,” for the documentary audience award.
According to a press release from the festival, “Throughout the Festival, which kicked off on April 13, audience members voted by using their mobile devices and going to tribecafilm.com/vote and rating the film they just experienced on a scale of 1-5 stars. Films in the U.S. Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Spotlight, and Midnight sections were eligible.”
The winning movies and runners-up will screen on Sunday, April 24, at the Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, along with the festival’s jury-chosen winners.
The festival’s descriptions of each of the Audience Award winners and runners-up is below.
WINNERS
Here Alone, directed by Rod Blackhurst, written by David Ebeltoft. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. A virus has ravaged human civilization, leaving two groups of survivors: those who have managed to avoid infection, and those driven to madness, violence, and an insatiable bloodlust. Living deep in the woods, Ann, Chris, and Olivia are forced to fend off the infected while foraging for supplies. But when a supply expedition goes terribly awry, one among their number must make a terrible choice. With Lucy Walters, Gina Piersanti, Adam David Thompson, and Shane West.
The Return, directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway, written by Kelly Duane de la Vega, Katie Galloway, and Greg O’Toole. (USA) – World Premiere. How does one reintegrate into society after making peace with a life sentence? California’s controversial and notoriously harsh three-strikes law was repealed in 2012, consequently releasing large numbers of convicts back into society. The Return presents an unbiased observation of the many issues with re-entry through the varied experiences of recently freed lifers.
RUNNERS UP
Midsummer in Newtown, directed by Lloyd Kramer. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Midsummer in Newtown is a testament to the transformative force of artistic expression to pierce through the shadow cast down by trauma. From auditions to opening night, we witness the children of Sandy Hook Elementary find their voice, build their self-confidence, and ultimately shine in a rock-pop version of A Midsummer’s Night Dream.
Children of the Mountain, directed and written by Priscilla Anany. (USA, Ghana) – World Premiere, Narrative. When a young woman gives birth to a deformed and sickly child, she becomes the victim of cruelty and superstition in her Ghanaian community. Discarded by her lover, she is convinced she suffers from a ‘dirty womb,’ and embarks on a journey to heal her son and create a future for them both. With Rukiyat Masud, Grace Omaboe, Akofa Edjeani, Adjetey Annang, Agbeko Mortty (Bex), Dzifa Glikpo, Mynna Otoo. In Twi with subtitles.