Atlanta, GA — The 37th annual Out on Film festival, one of Atlanta’s premier events celebrating LGBTQIA+ cinema, unveiled its array of filmmaker awards. The festival, sponsored by GILEAD, concluded with significant accolades for various films that captured the hearts and minds of both the audience and the jury.
The festival, known for showcasing diverse and compelling stories from the LGBTQIA+ community, saw Anthony Schatteman’s “Young Hearts” clinch the Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature and the award for First Feature. The film paints an evocative portrait of young love through 14-year-olds Elias and Alexander, capturing the complexities of their burgeoning relationship.
Conversely, “Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps,” a film adaptation of transgender icon Scott Turner Schofield’s performance piece, was honored with the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. This film weaves together a multitude of stories from Schofield’s personal journey, emerging from over a decade and a half of performances that began in Atlanta, making it a hometown favorite.
Festival director Jim Farmer expressed delight at this year’s programming, stating, “Our jurors and audiences had a challenging task in selecting the winners from our diverse slate of films. We’re proud to bring insightful stories from around the globe as well as from our own community.”
Highlighting directors who venture into socially impactful narratives, Juan Pablo Di Pace and Andrés Pepe Estrada received the Jury Award for Best Director for their film “Duino.” The film follows an Argentinian filmmaker as he revisits his unrequited first love through an unexpected invitation, an intricate narrative that resonates deeply with audiences.
On the documentary front, Ashley Francis Roy’s “Striking With Pride: United at the Coalface” claimed the Jury Award for Best Documentary. This powerful documentary explores the historic alliance between London’s LGBTQ community and the striking miners of South Wales from the mid-1980s.
The Audience Award for Best Documentary was awarded to Claudia Sanchez for “TransMexico,” which illuminates the adversities faced by transwomen in Latin America, providing a crucial platform for underrepresented voices in the community.
Moreover, a special jury award recognized the performances of actresses portraying Eva & Violeta in Alessandra Lacorazza’s “In the Summers.” The performers’ authentic portrayal of their characters’ complex emotional landscapes made a significant impact.
Matt Nadel’s “Cashing Out” served as a poignant reflection on the AIDS crisis, earning both the Jury and Audience Awards for Best Documentary Short. The film insightfully examines a time when many gay men, facing terminal illness, chose to sell their life insurance policies for immediate financial relief.
In the narrative shorts category, Melissa Fisher’s “Buscando Alma” won the Jury Award. With this recognition, the film becomes eligible for next year’s Academy Awards in the Live Action Short Category because Out On Film is an Oscar-qualifying festival. Additionally, the Audience Award for Best Narrative Short was presented to “Die Bully Die,” directed by Nathan and Nick Lacey.
Illustrating the breadth of perspectives this festival brings together, this year’s jury was composed of distinguished members including Zuri Obi, Marquise Mays, and B Ryan Glick. They, among others, scrutinized the various entries to determine the standout works that best represent the festival’s mission.
Out on Film continues to be a significant cultural event not just for Atlanta but for the film industry, as it champions LGBTQIA+ stories, fostering awareness and appreciation across a broader audience.
For more details about the festival and its future editions, visit outonfilm.org.
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