Humanitarian Award Winners 2022

Accolade Competition Humanitarian

2022 HUMANITARIAN AWARD WINNERS
The Humanitarian Award  honors filmmakers who are bringing awareness to issues of Ecological, Political, Social Justice and Equality, Health and Wellness, Animals, Wildlife, Conservation and Spiritual importance while at the same time demonstrating excellence in storytelling and filmmaking craft. Congratulations to this year’s illustrious winners who are committed to making a difference in the world through memorable filmmaking. To read more about the award click here:Humanitarian Award Film Festival

Susan Kucera 12th Hour

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022
Susan Kucera (USA), 12th Hour, Doc Feature – Emmy-nominated actor David Morse narrates this brutally honest doc with insight from noted evolutionary biologists, climate scientists, cognitive researchers and psychologists. This exceptional doc uniquely weaves together the importance of human psychology in solving humanity’s biggest ecological crises. Given the same evolutionary traits that have allowed humankind to thrive, are we actually capable of effectively responding to climate change? Visionary thinkers lay out an unflinching look at mankind. The 12th Hour lays out our biases so that we may overcome them. Deft direction, potent script, provocative questions. Rangeland Productions. Produced by Jim Swift.

Outstanding Achievement2

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Farnoosh Abedi (Iran), The Sprayer, Animation – Abedi’s deft direction combined with his exceptionally creative and meticulous characters and scenes – bring to life a dystopian future weaving in cautionary tales from our past. Superb animation and imagination of every detail of this animation all highlight the message of this potent film. A heartbreaking and heart-warming tale expertly crafted in absolutely every way.
 Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Shahab Hosseini (Iran), Residents of Nowhere (Moghimane Nakoja), Film Feature – An impeccably crafted film examining the most profound existential questions faced by every living human.  Hosseini’s deft direction and exceptional performance inspire poignant introspection. Unique, creative production and lighting design carry the story in subtly profound ways with courageous and extraordinary cinematography. Achingly authentic performances by a talented cast. Cannes Film Festival best actor Shahab Hosseini (Oscar-winning film The Salesman), Parinaz Izadyar (Abad va yek rooz), Nahid Moslemi (Drown), Ghazle Nazar (Nargesi), Ahmad Saatchian (Rest in Silence), Arman Darvish (The Human Comedy), Mehdi Hosseini, Teni Avakian.  From 7Skies Entertainment.

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Roman Musheghyan (USA / Armenia), It’s Spring… (Garuna), Film Feature – Inspired by real events of the four-day war in Armenia in April 2016 – this tightly directed feature film highlights three generations of father-son relationships – with incompatible ideologies and tragic consequences. A well-researched and artfully crafted script, exceptional performances by a talented cast. Outstanding production, sound design, score, editing and cinematography. Stars: Alexander Khachatryan (Betrayal, The Leaders), Levon Hakhverdyan (Mechanics of Happiness), Marjan Avetisyan (Power) and Armen Margaryan (Manyunya) – Honored Artist of Armenia.  Phoenix Art Foundation.

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Arlo Iron Cloud (USA), Remember the Children, Native American / Aboriginal Peoples – the story of the 400 government Indian Boarding schools, their goal to erase native culture and the often-horrific abuses of indigenous children there – including thousands of deaths. Insightful and impactful.Tracing the efforts of the elders and communities who are keeping their stories alive through creating memorials. A touching tribute.

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Bill Wisneski (USA), Almost Home:  Life After Incarceration, Documentary Feature – examines the many challenges individuals face when they get released from prison and the positive impact they can have if given the opportunity to succeed. This unique film follows formerly incarcerated students enrolled in an innovative program at a community college. Their inspiring stories illustrate how education and support can transform lives, open doors to new careers, heal trauma, and uplift entire families and communities.

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Masoud Ahmadi (Iran), Migrants, Experimental – An experimental film with no dialogue  creatively and potently exposes the brutal reality of Migrants being unearthed from their homes and homeland through violence and fear. A brutally honest and exceptionally innovative depiction of this gut wrenching humanitarian crisis. Artistic cinematography, excellent sound design, imaginative direction and a potent yet understated cast.

Award of Distinction2

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Jon Osaki (USA), Not Your Model Minority, Asian

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Pejman Alipour (Iran), Where the Winds Die, Animation

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Sean Schiavolin (USA), Beyond Homeless: Finding Hope, Documentary Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Lisa Gerstner (USA), EARL BISS, The Spirit Who Walks Among His People, Documentary Feature, Native Peoples

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Igor Pronin (Latvia), Dialogue in the Silence and in the Dark, Disability Issues

Olivier Ponthus, Edward Bally and Sebastien Eppinger (France), 9:59AM, Documentary Feature

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Saïd Abitar and Curt Fortin (Germany), Akesi and the Secrets of the Forest, Children / Family Programming

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Chenguang Xie (China), Exhausted, Film Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Yaser Talebi (Iran), I Won’t Remain Alone

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Kevin Adamson, Samaritan’s Purse (USA), Uprooted: An Afghan Evacuee Story, Animation

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Oton Bacar (Slovenia), Dawn, Public Service Announcement

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Mohammad Reza Mohammadi (Afghanistan), Roya, Film Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Sounds True Studios (USA), Being with You: The Power of Self-Compassion, Doc Feature 

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Daniele De Muro (Italy), Horizon, Film Short, Cinematography

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Jaime Jacobsen (USA), Crop Diversity Series, Educational / Instructional / Training, Web Series

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Craig Daniel Leon (Ecuador), Dipsas Speaks, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Kate Cohen (USA), Luna, Documentary Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Marc Cunningham (USA), An Interview with the Times, Film Short

Accolade 2022 Humanitarian AwardAlexandra Alekhina (Russian Federation), Hold My Hand, Film Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Peter Xifaras (USA), Children Of Conflict-Mother’s Lament, Music Video

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Lindsey Ward (USA), Dominion, Documentary Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Mosayeb Hanaei (Iran), Before Darkness, Film Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Oleksandr Lozytskyi (Ukraine), Tierra del Fuego, Nature / Environment / Wildlife

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Rodney Roldan (USA), Country and Courage, Doc Short

Accolade Competition Film Festival Humanitarian Award 2022Winston Verdult (USA), Chasm, Film Short (Student)