PUSH PAUSE

Jury Award - Narrative Feature Film

Gentle and cozy, like a warm blanket, with delicious food we all wanted so badly to eat. The Coco Guesthouse is a safe haven for this charming ensemble of characters each at their own crossroads during the recent pandemic. This film responds to life’s uncertainties and anxieties with sweetness, patience, and the power of connection and community. A timeless reminder to slow down and reassess, PUSH PAUSE is this year’s Best Narrative Feature.

SOUTHERN AFTERNOON

Jury Award - Narrative Short Film

Tian Lan's SOUTHERN AFTERNOON masterfully utilizes a slice-of-life narrative to explore the intergenerational tensions of cultural assimilation within an immigrant family. Through tight storytelling and nuanced performances, particularly between the father and his daughters, the film tackles the complexities of balancing ethnic identity with mainstream culture in a sensitive and realistic manner.

HOME COURT

Jury Award - Documentary Feature Film

We learn about Ashley Chea and her personal history of triumph and perseverance as a first generation Cambodian American basketball player, in a narrative that also captures her parents experiences as refugees fleeing the Khmer Rouge, and her coach’s personal commitment to using sport to empower Asian American youth. The storytelling is entertaining and uplighting without shying away from difficult histories of war and displacement, gender roles, cultural adaptation and change, and the experiences of young Asian American women in sport. The film also highlights the importance of uplifting the narratives of a spectrum of Asian American identity, including Hapa, Japanese American, and Southeast Asian American communities, which are often underrepresented.

Makeover Movie

Jury Award - Documentary Short Film

Movies have a special impact on our teenage years and can have an effect on us as adults. The MAKEOVER MOVIE is no exception. This film turned an important film study of sorts into a highly entertaining and creative experience. Diving head first into the popular makeover trope since the beginning of filmmaking, it’s a historical but timely look at the perception of beauty, female identity, and self-worth in cinema and pop culture spaces.

Andy Sarjahani

Special Jury Mention for Visionary Filmmaker of THE SMALLEST POWER and WILD HOGS AND SAFFRON

In Iranian American director Andy Sarjahani’s two films in this year’s edition, his potent voice shines through a multitude of his storytelling techniques, styles, and forms. From the intricate work of protecting his protagonists in the Iranian “Woman, Life, Freedom” moment through the artful use of animation and audio recordings in THE SMALLEST POWER, to an intimate lens on friendship, masculinity, and cultural divides in WILD HOGS AND SAFFRON, Andy’s work highlights the power of cinema to build bridges amongst us. In such divisive times, these films remind us of the revolutionary act of listening.

BLUE SUNSHINE

Special Jury Mention for Debut Feature

BLUE SUNSHINE by Samyuktha Vijayan has been recognized by the jury for her exceptional directorial, writing, and acting debut. This film offers a poignant and nuanced portrayal of the emotional and social struggles faced by individuals who are going through gender transition. This film prioritizes the human experience over the medical aspects, highlighting the collective and personal journeys with sensitivity and authenticity. This powerful work stands as a testament to Samyuktha Vijayan's talent and the importance of authentic representation.

ASHIMA

Special Jury Mention for Documentary Ensemble Cast

A strong family unit is always beautiful to see on screen but when the central character is the world’s youngest competitive rock climber, a story of strength, perseverance and determination shines through. The strength of this documentary is the voice and actions of Ashima and her family, who’s love is portrayed in so many ways, sometimes in arguments and highly emotional scenes, sometimes through the humble actions of support by the parents. This may be a story about rock climbing, but aren’t we all trying to climb the hardest rock we call life?

THIRSTYGIRL

Special Jury Mention for Directing

THIRSTYGIRL’s heavy subject matter is handled deftly by director Alexandra Qin. In deep reds and gutting close-ups, a story of a woman hiding her sex addiction while trying to be present for her younger sister captivated us. For its tender, heartwrenching, and bold storytelling, we give a Special Jury Mention for Directing to Thirstygirl.

VIDEO FUNERAL

Special Jury Mention for Acting

We were moved by these two performers and the palpability of their grief, longing, and regret in their reunion after their father’s passing. For a sisterly bond rendered with textured mundanity and sensitivity, we give the Special Jury Mention for Acting to Trisha Do and Kate Vu of Linh Tran’s VIDEO FUNERAL.

Alejandra Martinez

Alejandra Martinez is a Tejana writer, film critic, and archivist. She is a member of the Austin Film Critics Association. Her writing has been published in multiple outlets including The Austin Chronicle, The Wrap, RogerEbert.com, and Letterboxd Journal. You can often find her reading a good book, watching movies, or writing at your local coffee shop.

Animon Jose

A passionate advocate for independent cinema's power to ignite social change, Animon Jose brings a wealth of experience to the jury. Deeply involved in Austin's independent film scene, he serves on the board of Indie Meme and has spearheaded the programming team for the past two years.  His keen eye for storytelling extends beyond film, as evidenced by his work as Indie Meme's Design Director, where he crafts captivating festival posters.

Animon's commitment to community extends beyond film. He actively volunteers as co-chair of the Texas Chapter for the Shanti Bhavan Children's Project.  Professionally, Animon leads the custom solutions team at KPMG's Tax Technology division.