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Whitby, Ontario – From October 19 to 21, the Durham Region International Film Festival (DRIFF) had its annual run at two beautiful venues in Ajax and Oshawa. The festival showcased wonderful films at its in-person festival as well as through virtual programming. The carefully curated line-up included films from all over the world but had a special focus on Canadian and regional productions.
A lineup of independent judges determined the winners for each of the festival’s categories. The panel included actor, writer and producer, Brian Quintero; media funding and marketing expert, Dahlia Thompson; filmmaker, Chen Sing Yap; professional photographer and filmmaker, Alexandra Hickox; director and producer, Jesse T. Cook; and actor, Emmanuel Kabongo.
DRIFF 2023 winners are as follows:
Best Feature – Egghead and Twinkie (USA), directed by Sarah Kambe Holland
After coming out to her parents, an Asian American teenage girl takes off on a road trip to meet her online crush with the help of her nerdy best friend.
Best International Short – Our males and Females (Jordan), directed by Ahmad Alyaseer
A father and mother are faced with the painful task of washing and shrouding their deceased transgender daughter. Shrouding is an Islamic religious practice that is deemed obligatory to carry out upon death. But when no one agrees to wash her and shame falls onto the family, how far is the father willing to go to make sure his "son" is washed?
Best Student Film – Frida in the Sky (Canada), directed by Dani Sadun
Frida, an eight-year-old engineering prodigy, builds an airplane behind her mother’s back to follow in her abuela’s legacy.
Best Canadian Short – SIMO (Canada), directed by Aziz Zoromba
The usual rivalries and jealousies that exist between two teenage brothers Simo and Emad take a dangerous turn that may seriously impact the future of their family.
Best Documentary – Sloane: A Jazz Singer (USA), directed by Michael Lippert
Filmed days before her final live recording in New York City, jazz legend, Carol Sloane, reflects on her storied, but largely unknown, career involving everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to The Rolling Stones. A natural interpreter of the Great American Songbook, she was hailed by Johnny Carson— and later the Washington Post— as “the greatest living jazz singer.” She performed and toured with some of the biggest names, like Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald. Through rare archival footage, intimate moments with Sloane, and enlightening commentary from industry leaders, we learn of this singular artist’s adherence to her passion against great odds, and are invited to examine the meaning of success in a world where "art don't pay."
Best Animation Short – Where Rabbits Come From (Canada), directed by Colin Ludvic Racicot
In a cold dystopian world, a widowed father defies the authorities trying to instil a sense of wonder into his daughter’s life.
Best Regional Film – Purple Don’t Cry (Canada), directed by Mamoun Hassan
A misguided young man ignores the wise advice of a Muslim leader and starts selling drugs to achieve his dreams of luxury lifestyle; but he soon realizes that quick money comes with deadly consequences. Shot in and around Durham Region, this film explores the complexities of Muslim identity and the challenges that many Muslim youths face in western society.
People’s Choice Award – When Hope Breaks Through (Canada), directed by Matthew Wagner
After a grim medical prognosis and a mental health breakdown, now disabled professional paddleboarder and Durham Region local, Mike Shoreman, fights his way back to the surface and sets out to raise awareness and funding for the youth mental health crisis in Canada by paddleboarding across all five Great Lakes.
DRIFF is proud to be able to showcase so many amazing films in Durham Region and sends out a warm congratulations to the winners of this year’s festival.
About DRIFF:
DRIFF is a not-for-profit film festival rooted in the communities of Durham. DRIFF will engage a diverse network of audiences, filmmakers, and collaborators to promote film as a form of creative expression and a catalyst for community building. Find out more at driff.ca.
Media contact:
Eileen Kennedy, marketing@driff.ca
Durham Region International Film Festival
driff.ca | @catchthedriff
