Here Alone and The Return won the Audience Awards for narrative film and documentary, respectively, at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.
Directed by Rod Blackhurst, Here Alone played in Tribeca’s Midnight section. The story centers on a virus that has ravaged human civilization, leaving two groups of survivors: those who have managed to avoid infection, and those driven to madness, violence, and an insatiable blood lust. Living deep in the woods, Ann, Chris, and Olivia are forced to fend off the infected while foraging for supplies. But when a supply expedition goes terribly awry, one among their number must make a terrible choice. The cast includes Lucy Walters, Gina Piersanti, Adam David Thompson, and Shane West.
Directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway, The Return screened in Tribeca’s World Documentary section. The film addresses how prisoners reintegrate into society after making peace with a life sentence. California’s controversial three-strikes law/prison for life law was repealed in 2012, resulting in the release of many convicts. This documentary captures many of the issues raised by re-entry through the varied experience of recently freed lifers.
Each Audience Award comes with a cash prize of $10,000.
“It’s great to see audiences finding and supporting a true discovery film like Here Alone and the powerful and affecting documentary The Return. While very different films, both highlight the resilience of the human spirit,” said Genna Terranova, Tribeca Film Festival director.
The runners-up were Children of the Mountain directed by Priscilla Anany for the narrative Audience Award and Midsummer in Newtown, directed by Lloyd Kramer, for the documentary Audience honor. Throughout the Festival, which kicked off on April 13, audience members voted by using their mobile devices and going to tribecafilm.com/vote and rating the film they just experienced on a scale of 1-5 stars. Films in the U.S. Narrative Competition, International Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Spotlight, and Midnight sections were eligible.
Screened in Tribeca’s Spotlight section, Midsummer in Newtown is a testament to the transformative force of artistic expression to pierce through the shadow cast down by trauma. From auditions to opening night, we witness the children of Sandy Hook Elementary find their voice, build their self-confidence, and ultimately shine in a rock-pop version of "A Midsummer’s Night Dream."
Playing in the Viewpoints section was Children of the Mountain which centers on a young woman who gives birth to a deformed and sickly child. As a result, the woman becomes the victim of cruelty and superstition in her Ghanaian community. Discarded by her lover, she is convinced she suffers from a “dirty womb” and embarks on a journey to heal her son and create a future for them both. Cast includes Rukiyat Masud, Grace Omaboe, Akofa Edjeani, Adjetey Annang, Agbeko Mortty (Bex), Dzifa Glikpo and Mynna Otoo.
