The Seasonal winners of Montreal Independent Film Festival bring together international and Canadian artists competing in various sections of the Winter/2023 competition. Cannes award winners, Grammy nominated artists and emerging talents competed together in the latest seasonal edition of the festival.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_4f7b35c2785948ff91487dff566d6e98~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_327,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_4f7b35c2785948ff91487dff566d6e98~mv2.png)
The annual competition of the festival happens in association with Cinema du Parc of Montreal and Minima Films. Canadian shorts and features will be further nominated for a hybrid event with cinema and online screenings and promotions for indie film talents from all over the world. Montreal Independent Film Festival (MIFF) has turned into one of the most popular emerging international festivals dedicated to the cinematic language and independent filmmaking.
It is our pleasure to announce the winners of the Winter/2023. Here are the winners:
Best Narrative Feature
THE BALLAD OF PIARGY
Director: Ivo Trajkov
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_94a0a79a80314fc8b37480ebd9008639~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_517,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_94a0a79a80314fc8b37480ebd9008639~mv2.png)
Best Narrative Short
The escape
Director: Antoine Blanche
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_1a7b725cb205413ebf664cf161a3b5fa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_533,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_1a7b725cb205413ebf664cf161a3b5fa~mv2.png)
Best Feature Documentary
SYRIA, WOMEN IN WAR
Director: Kamal Redouani
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_ee1bfe89393e4279b3934202b158108a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_ee1bfe89393e4279b3934202b158108a~mv2.png)
Best Short Documentary
The Bardia
Director: Gabriella Garcia-Pardo
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_3dcd8af652cf463abd9250ba668929b4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_3dcd8af652cf463abd9250ba668929b4~mv2.png)
Best Independent Film
In Her Name
Director: Sarah Carter
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_4d7f6174302149069863b0a39a3cf3af~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_431,h_640,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_4d7f6174302149069863b0a39a3cf3af~mv2.png)
Best Horror The Abode
Director: Claudia La Bianca
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_3d6a181b09a74fd7bd02443ca1bdaf0d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_3d6a181b09a74fd7bd02443ca1bdaf0d~mv2.png)
Best Comedy
Murder At Hollow Creek
Director: David Lipper
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_b97723d29d534ccba118f542a91642db~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_543,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_b97723d29d534ccba118f542a91642db~mv2.png)
Best Animation
The BLIND OWL
Director: M.ALI SAJADI
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_408afccf48bd4e6496d3919c00e98ad9~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_408afccf48bd4e6496d3919c00e98ad9~mv2.png)
Best Science Fiction
Sustained Reaction
Director: Greg A Ferrara
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_69646a679d1744c097f2cef6c8f36ebb~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_69646a679d1744c097f2cef6c8f36ebb~mv2.png)
Best Web Series/TV Pilot
Chateau Laurier -Season 2
Director: James Stewart
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_eedc6f3f11dc4a1f8890ac1575d20d14~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_513,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_eedc6f3f11dc4a1f8890ac1575d20d14~mv2.png)
Best Environmental & Best Experimental I c Director: Helene Moltke-Leth
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_1878ae8ed840472193159424129efb39~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_566,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_1878ae8ed840472193159424129efb39~mv2.png)
Best Female Director
Crossing
Director: Jacqueline van Vugt
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_3d1608ce352b44139b231155e63f41a9~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_336,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_3d1608ce352b44139b231155e63f41a9~mv2.png)
Best Human Rights
Bowery
Director: Mike Mintz, Irad Straus
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_8857298b139d4590b9dd0bf519ea0ada~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_540,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_8857298b139d4590b9dd0bf519ea0ada~mv2.png)
Best First-Time Filmmaker
Love & Irony
Director: John A Biesack
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_73953da92b6c41af86ea55b0bc497a99~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_378,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_73953da92b6c41af86ea55b0bc497a99~mv2.png)
Best Student Film
Before You
Director: Gia-Rayne Briana Harris
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_122adca89d5249e294d460259752785b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_410,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_122adca89d5249e294d460259752785b~mv2.png)
Best LGBTQ
Political Bodies
Director: Pedro Henrique França
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_1f10c08f59584d27a22fcdc5aad3ebb5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_498,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_1f10c08f59584d27a22fcdc5aad3ebb5~mv2.png)
Best Music Video
As Days Go By (An Arrangement of the “Family Matters” theme song)
Director: Chad McClarnon
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_3655d5a0afb54a7cbeb1970c0636bb0f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_3655d5a0afb54a7cbeb1970c0636bb0f~mv2.png)
Best Thriller
Seclusion
Director: Lovinder Gill
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_37a7ba8341da46348d6b21dec138f7f3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_216,h_320,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_37a7ba8341da46348d6b21dec138f7f3~mv2.png)
Best Canadian Indie (Narrative)
The Hours Before Sunrise
Director: Daniel H. A. Stewart
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_00d67387249e4ae795b18ba12932ed61~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_00d67387249e4ae795b18ba12932ed61~mv2.png)
Best Canadian Indie (Documentary)
The Lobster Whisperer
Director: Colin MacKenzie
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_5a933c139f3642ec88099ca26d4c27dd~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_653,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_5a933c139f3642ec88099ca26d4c27dd~mv2.png)
Best Director of the season
Bullets over Marseille
Director: Gordan Matic
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_f055166bf46e4d1a9d468390a1d222a3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_571,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_f055166bf46e4d1a9d468390a1d222a3~mv2.png)
Honorable Mention First Time Filmmaker
Director: Ethan Michael Strong
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_28759ce4f32246b892150b6c345f6c04~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_540,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_28759ce4f32246b892150b6c345f6c04~mv2.png)
Best Cinematographer of the season
Jonah Mazer
Is This Forever
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_2493bee88af846338fe48054f1c4975a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_411,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_2493bee88af846338fe48054f1c4975a~mv2.png)
Best Actor of the season
Drew Elston
The Placebo
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_c5cdf9a62f8941159af1ebb2650a7922~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_640,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_c5cdf9a62f8941159af1ebb2650a7922~mv2.png)
Best Actress of the season
Ciera Danielle
In Her Name
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_ae3d781562704638b92cdcdc8685dca4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_488,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_ae3d781562704638b92cdcdc8685dca4~mv2.png)
Best Editor of the season
J.C. Doler
The Blue Dress
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_037ef23981904adf96893252e8c23b00~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_564,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_037ef23981904adf96893252e8c23b00~mv2.png)
Best Composer of the season DAVIDE CAPRELLI EST
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_4f959e84f903499788fb6983ff9635d3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_563,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_4f959e84f903499788fb6983ff9635d3~mv2.png)
Scriptwriter of the season The Arrival Gary O. Bennett
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_fbcf62da23a54197b45a0a2ddecec88d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_618,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_fbcf62da23a54197b45a0a2ddecec88d~mv2.png)
Best Youth Artist of the season Adrian Antonsen Escorted
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_f803b435311441d0a0c1b1944d208f01~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_551,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_f803b435311441d0a0c1b1944d208f01~mv2.png)
Best Unproduced Feature Script Branca Andre Alves, Antonio Paz-Bezerra
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_949ab6032cfc431a9110f70367b57190~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_450,al_c,q_85,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_949ab6032cfc431a9110f70367b57190~mv2.png)
Best Unproduced Short Script Dramical Adam Kelly Morton
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_0b55b086f8674f94a4e5981673ba242f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_538,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_0b55b086f8674f94a4e5981673ba242f~mv2.png)
Canadian Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mention Screenplay
Writer: Alice Moran
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_66839e7197b24e3da6b20a582d68165f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_576,h_720,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_66839e7197b24e3da6b20a582d68165f~mv2.png)
Honorable Mention Composer
La Rosa Purpurea
Enzo De Rosa
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_07dff333d4a442dab8850a2b70dc5187~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_800,h_461,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_07dff333d4a442dab8850a2b70dc5187~mv2.png)
Honorable Mention Documentary
SAVING CHINATOWN - OUR HERITAGE. OUR LEGEND. THE IMPACT.
Director: Jimmy Chan
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_84f31b4c772a47dc9b2ff1c4c0fb1244~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_531,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_84f31b4c772a47dc9b2ff1c4c0fb1244~mv2.png)
Honorable Mention Short Documentary
What Remains
Director: Kylie Edwards
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_5092b73831ea43c4a904743345dc85a1~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_518,h_800,al_c,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_5092b73831ea43c4a904743345dc85a1~mv2.png)
Honorable Mention Feature Documentary
Srpska: The Struggle for Freedom
Director: Boris Malagurski
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9a9abd_a399f7db3d394b63b1da8df5b4130556~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_736,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/9a9abd_a399f7db3d394b63b1da8df5b4130556~mv2.png)
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