Cleveland International Film Festival Announces 2026 Jury Awards for feature and short films

The Cleveland International Film Festival is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s juried competitions as presented at the Festival jury awards ceremony on Sunday, April 1, 2026 at The City Club of Cleveland. 

• Local Heroes Competition: In the Ever, directed by C.M. Sutton and Yaya. Honorable Mention: Missy by Nikolai Berger.

• The Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition: Steal This Story, Please!, directed by Tia Lessin, Carl Deal. Honorable Mention: Jane Elliott Against the World by Judd Ehrlich.

• George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern European Competition: Catane, directed by Iona Mischie. Honorable Mention: Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day by Ivona Juka.

• Groundbreaker Award: Soul Patrol, directed by J.M. Harper. Honorable Mention: Kikuyu Land by Andrew H. Brown and Bea Wangondu.

• DReam Maker Award: Barbara Forever, directed by Brydie O’Connor. Honorable Mention: We Are Pat by Rowan Haber.

• Grand Jury Award: Documentary (Best Documentary): The Big Cheese, directed by Sara Joe Wolansky. Honorable Mention: The Spies Among Us by Jamie Coughlin Silverman and Gabriel Silverman.

• American Independents Competition – Best U.S. Narrative Film: Mouse, directed by Kenny Riches. Honorable Mention: Silent Notes by Toni Comas.

• International Narrative Competition: Happy Birthday, directed by Sarah Goher. Honorable Mention: Yesterday Island by Sam Voutas.

• Programmer’s Choice Award: Given in Celebration of the Life of Toni Oliverio: Magan’s Fare, directed by Chris Knoblock and Dana White.

• Best Live-Action Short Jury Award (Oscar Qualifying): Diego, directed by Melissa Silveira. Honorable Mention: Lost and Found by Wiktoria Kwoka.

• Best Animated Short Jury Award (Oscar Qualifying): Susurros, directed by Alexandra Pewinski, Marie Lombard, Florian Reignier, Emma Pluchard, Lisa Francillon, and Alice Parmentier. Honorable Mention: The Apricot directed by Alex Z. Avila.

• Best Documentary Short Jury Award (Oscar Qualifying): Voice Shift, directed by Roberto Duque. Honorable Mention: Oh Whale by Winslow Crane-Murdoch.

• Best Comedy Short Jury Award: She Raised Me, directed by Ben Lewis. Honorable Mention: Teen Mary by Ali Rosenthal.

• Shorts in Focus Award: Nathanael Matanick for his work on the ReMoved Trilogy and short films focused on Foster Care and Children in Crisis.

In addition to the award, feature film directors will receive a $5,000 prize. Directors of short films will receive $1,000.

This year’s jury awards are sponsored by La Familia Watilo Blake, the George Gund Foundation, Lauren Rich Fine & Beatrice Advisors, Anne Ream (honoring life and legacy of David K. Ream), the Thomas Piraino and Barbara McWilliams Family Foundation, The Sloop Family, Kevin and Leslie Blum, Ciuni & Panichi, and Tom and Anita Cook. 

The audience choice awards will be announced at the conclusion of the 50th Cleveland International Film Festival on April 18, 2026.