OXIFF AWARD WINNERS

Best Documentary – Darryl Jones: In the Blood

Best Short Doc – The Cage

Best Student – Rabbits

Best Animation – How Countries Fight Their Wars

Best Experimental – Close Quarters

Best Music Video – Black Pumas Colors

Best Uncomissioned Screenplay– Winter Bird by Stephen Delos Treacy

Best Documentary – Darryl Jones: In the Blood

Best Short Doc – The Cage

Best Student – Rabbits

Best Animation – How Countries Fight Their Wars

Best Experimental – Close Quarters

Best Music Video – Black Pumas Colors

Best Uncomissioned Screenplay– Winter Bird by Stephen Delos Treacy

Best Feature – International Falls

Best Director - Sarah Pirozek, #LIKE

Best Actor - Marc Menchaca, #LIKE

Best Actress - Rachael Harris, International Falls

Best Screenplay – International Falls by Thomas Ward

Best UK Short – Isabel

Best International Short – Leaving to Live

FILM OF THE FESTIVAL - INTERNATIONAL FALLS

In response to the challenges posed by COVID-19 OXIFF was a hybrid event, with a selection of films screening at Oxfords legendary The Ultimate Picture Palace and Odeon Cinema, George Street and a selection screening online.

Having already postponed the festival from May OXIFF presented a selection of the finest independent cinema from across the world through narrative features and short films, documentaries, music videos, animations, and experimental films.

Highlights included the British comedy LOVE TYPE D, about a woman who finds she has a ‘loser in love’ gene, INTERNATIONAL FALLS, about a small town Mum who dreams of becoming a comedienne that stars Rachael Harris (The Hangover) and Rob Huebel (Transparent) , revenge thriller #LIKE starring Marc Menchaca (Ozark) and Sarah Rich (Orange is the New Black) and supernatural horror NINA OF THE WOODS, about a documentary crew following a guide into labyrinthine wilderness, where they seem to encounter an ancient, hypnotic force.

Documentary highlights included the Susan Sarandon featuring AMERICAN MIRROR: INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY in which Sarandon discusses time and identity with Armenian painter Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, music documentaries A SOUL JOURNEY, about the Porretta Soul in Italy, the greatest Soul music festival in the world and DARRYL JONES: IN THE BLOOD, about the legendary Darryl Jones, bassist for The Rolling Stones. Feature length documentary selection was rounded out by the award-winning KNOTS: A FORCED MARRIAGE STORY, about the practice of child and forced marriage that is happening legally throughout the United States.

The festival opened The Ultimate Picture Palace with a selection of thirteen UK Shorts, all made by some of the UK’s up and coming filmmaking talents. Highlights of the session included SORCERESS, starring Game of Thrones Nathalie Emmanuel, SHE, directed by Control screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh, ISABEL, starring Iain Glenn (Game of Thrones) and Claire Skinner (Outnumbered) and GAME OVER with Blake Harrison (The Inbetweeners) and Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones, Killing Eve).

Other shorts that played over the weekend included the award-winning RUNNING NAKED IN THE UNIVERSE, animation HOW COUNTRIES FIGHT THEIR WARS, drama LEAVING TO LIVE, award-winning student film RABBITS and horror short SEEK. OXIFF2020’s Short Documentary selection includes award winning RECLAMATION: THE RISE AT STANDING ROCK, football doc THE CAGE, and portrait of sculptor John Mills in TOMMY: THE PORTRAIT OF A SCULPTOR.

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