Foreign Language Short

Specter of Innocence (France)

Mathis Tayssier

For its excellent musical score, creative storytelling using flashbacks, and original story idea. One of the jurist said: “The French film was by far my favorite. They paid great attention to the cinematography and the storyline was very intense.”

LGBTQIA+ and Student Shorts

LGBTQIA+

Panic Attack

Anthony Assad

“God, it was so good. Everyone should watch this.” The film is vulnerable, brave, triumphant, and much needed in our current political landscape.

Honorable Mention: Lee Baby

Music Video

Comfort Zone

Jason Affolder

“Awakening, eruption, transformation, and a climax, robotic, this reminds me of the 90s cult movie, Hardware set to music.”

Honorable Mention: The Odyssey of Cleve and Mike

Experimental Short

Living Reality

Philip Thompson

“This experimental narrative faithfully recreates the setting and tone of a 90’s era sitcom, only to turn it on its head with a character who, like most of us would, feels out of place in sitcom-land. The results is unsettling but also inspires empathy and self-reflection.”

Honorable Mention: Another Sinking Sun

Doc Shorts, Fest Forward, and Music Videos

Narrative Shorts

Narrative Short

The Old Young Crow

Liam LoPinto

“The Old Young Crow’s calm narration of a childhood memory was captivating. The creative and seamless blend of animation, cinematography and storytelling helped elevate this short to award-winning status.”

Honorable Mentions: Infraction

Family Friendly Short

Wider Than the Sky

Philip Taylor

“Storytelling through the use of cardboard cut out animation was very imaginative. The power to believe, to love, to hope is wider than the sky.”

Honorable Mentions: Lost in the Sky

Mississippi Made

MS Music Video

Black Boy Cry

Kira Cummings

“A young rapper tries to come to grips with his tumultuous reality. With engaging storytelling, one can still feel and understand the underlying context of the story, asking ‘why can’t this black boy cry,’ without the substance of being lost. The language is harsh, but not out of place for edgier rap styles.”

Student Short

Knead

Kelsey Scult

“A passionate journal of self-discovery.” The film was creative, raw , and gives the viewer a peak into how a person’s craft can imitate the process of life.

Honorable Mention: Corndog

Animated Short

Slower Animals

John Christopher Kelley

“This movie is beautiful, sad and full of nostalgia. When animation really works it brings together creative moving images and immersive sound and a powerful concept. Slower Animals forces us to think about the places we’ve been and the people we’ve left behind, and it does so with intricate hand drawn animation, transportive full audioscapes and a thoughtful introspective narration. ”

Honorable Mention: Balthazar’s Dream

Doc Short & MS Made Doc Short

Please Ask for It

Allison Waid

“A colorful portrait of a man who spent his life shining a light on other artists and using his success to give back to his community, this intimate documentary aptly turns the spotlight on living but unsung Mississippi legend, Fox Caldwell, and his shrine to this blues in Holly Springs.”

Honorable Mentions: Hopefully and I’m (Not) You’re Negroni

Sci-Fi / Horror Short

MARBLES

Kyle Hatley

“Watching Marbles is like watching an acting masterclass. You are drawn in by every character’s story. You grieve, laugh, and cry alongside everyone in the support group.”

Honorable Mentions: TOOTH

Comedy Short

Barely Breathing

Derek Evans and Neal Reddy

“Who would have thought that an auto erotic asphyxiation support group could become the best of friends. The camaraderie and honesty through embarrassing episode earns this shot, the best comedy award.”

Honorable Mentions: One Happy Customer

MS Narrative Short

The Chair at the Edge of the Woods

Mary Charles Ramsey

“A smartly done, well-paced short that maintains a fresh level of suspense. The authentic and understated performance from the lead actor accents a subtlety found throughout the film. Who knew moving a chair could be so suspenseful?”