New York International Children's Film Festival (NYICFF) announces 2024 award winners
New York City, New York (Release): Following the conclusion of its 27th annual event, New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF) announced its 2024 award winners on Thursday.
NYICFF award-winning films were determined by the votes of audience members ages three to 17, audience members ages 18+, and its jury. The Unstoppable Kids Prize, co-presented with Shine Global, recognizes a film that highlights the resilience and strength of children in the face of adversity. 'Dounia - The Great White North' was named the winner of the Unstoppable Kids Prize and will be awarded $2,500 and an invitation to participate in Shine Global’s Resilience Awards events.
Winners of NYICFF’s Jury Awards were 'Magic Candies' and 'Unibrow', enabling them to qualify for the Oscars. Juror Benjamin Renner called 'Magic Candies': “An absolute delight that hooked me from the beginning to the end,” while Ilana Glazer applauded 'Unibrow': “This piece was so specific it was universal. Told viscerally with a full palette of emotions, Unibrow is an example of excellent storytelling.”
This year’s jury was an illustrious group including: Jarelle Dampier ('The Spider Within: A Spider-Verse Story'); Ilana Glazer ('Broad City'); Guillermo Martinez (Head of Story, Sony Pictures Animation); Matthew Modine ('Oppenheimer'); Chris Nee ('Doc McStuffins'); Peter Ramsey ('Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'); Benjamin Renner ('Ernest & Celestine'); Ira Sachs ('Passages'); Phillipa Soo (Award-winning actor, singer, author); Ellen Su (producer, director, and head of artistic recruiting at Titmouse Animation); and Uma Thurman ('Kill Bill', and founding board member, Room to Grow).
NYICFF 2024 took place March 2 through 17 at venues throughout New York City and in Westchester and The Hamptons.
2024 Jury Awards
Jury Award, Animated Short: 'Magic Candies' (Japan, World Premiere); Daisuke Nishio
Jury Award, Live Action Short: 'Unibrow' (Canada); Nedda Sharshar
2024 Audience Awards
Audience Award, ages 3+: Tabby McTat (United Kingdom, US Premiere); Jac Hamman & Sarah Scrimgeour, Shorts for Tots
Audience Award, ages 6+: Hoofs on Skates (Lithuania, World Premiere); Ignas Meilūnas, Short Films One
Audience Award, ages 8+: The Queen’s Flowers (United States, World Premiere); Ciara Leinaala Lacy, Short Films Two and Girls’ POV Shorts
Audience Award, ages 10+: Karol, The Vampire Queen (Colombia, World Premiere); Alfonso Acosta, Short Films Two and ¡Hola Cine!
Audience Award, ages 12+: Squeegee Boy (United States); Chung-Wei Huang, Short Films Three
Grown Ups Award, determined by audience members ages 18 and older: Karol, The Vampire Queen (Colombia, World Premiere); Alfonso Acosta,Short Films Two and ¡Hola Cine!
Grand Prize Short Film: The Queen’s Flowers (United States, World Premiere); Ciara Leinaala Lacy, Short Films Two and Girls’ POV Shorts
Grand Prize, Animated Feature: Kensuke’s Kingdom (United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France, New York Premiere); Neil Boyle & Kirk Hendry
Grand Prize, Live Action Feature — Coco Farm (Canada, New York Premiere); Sébastien Gagné
Unstoppable Kids Prize, Co-presented with Shine Global: Dounia - The Great White North (Canada, US Premiere); André Kadi & Marya Zarif
