By Maria Esteves – August 20, 2012
The 3rd New York City International Film Festival Awards Gala (NYCIFF 2012) presented by NYCIFF Founder/CEO Roberto Rizzo and President Caroline Johnson for outstanding film achievements of 2012 commenced Thursday, August 17, 9:00pm at the Angelika Film Center, New York. The Closing Night World Premiere of Forbidden Kiss, directed by Fen Tien preceded the awards ceremony. NYCIFF 2012 Awards Gala reception immediately followed at Stir, New York.
Since 2010, NYCIFF founded by Roberto Rizzo showcase the best in global cinema by emerging and established filmmakers from around the world.
This year’s festival included over 40 films (features, documentaries, shorts, animations) from around the world, seminars, workshops, black-tie gala receptions, and awards ceremony. More than 20 countries worldwide participated at this year’s festival.FORBIDDEN KISS and SAVING GRACE B. JONES received three awards. NYCIFF 2012 Award winners by category are:
Best Feature Film
MOLES, directed by Emiliano Romero, Argentina
Best American Feature
SAVING GRACE B. JONES, directed by Connie Stevens
Audience Choice Feature
SEEDLINGS (Lamha), directed by Manosoor Mujahid, Pakistan
Best Documentary Feature
NASSEREDIN SHAH, AND HIS 84 WIVES, directed by Beate Petersen
Best Comedy Feature
SODOMA, directed by Vicenzo Pirozzim, Italy
Best American Comedy Feature
PENDEJO, directed by Jairaj Walia
Best Director
JORGO PAPVASSILIOU in Slave, Cyprus/Germany
Best Upcoming Director
FEN TIEN in Forbidden Kiss, China
Best Cinematography
VILAMOR, directed by Ignacio Vilar, Spain
Best Actor in a Leading Role
LAUTARO DELGADO in Moles, Argentina
Best Actress in a Leading Role
AAMINA SHEIKH in Seedlings (Lamha), Pakistan
Best Leading American Actress
TATUM O’NEAL in Saving Grace B. Jones
Best Supporting Actor
ZSOLT BACS in Slave, Cyprus/Germany
Best Supporting Actress
WANG JI in Forbidden Kiss, China
Best Supporting American Actress
PENELOPE ANN MILLER in Saving Grace B. Jones
Best Score
VILAMOR, directed by Ignacio Vilar, Spain
Best Original Script
PEANUTS ONE DOLLAR, directed by Sebastian Monaco, Argentina
Best Wardrobe
FORBIDDEN KISS, directed by Fen Tien, China
Best Short
SIBLING IN LOVE, directed by Markus Dergel
Best Documentary Short
LA ESTANCIA, directed by Richard Darge
Best Director Short
GUILLAUME PIRRET in Matriarche, France
Best Actor Short
RICK BORGIA in Gunner’s Rift
Best Actress Short
PAULA ROMAN in Blackout
Best Animated Short
THE CYCLE OF LIFE, directed by Gerald Guthrie
Best Gay/Lesbian Short
WORD GAMES, directed by Avri Dishwang, Israel
Best Student Short
THE PERFECT DAY, directed by Sidsel Dall