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The curtains have closed on the 7th edition of the African Smartphone International Film Festival (ASIFF), leaving behind a trail of awe-inspiring stories, innovative filmmaking, and a celebration of creativity in smartphone cinema. As we reflect on the festival’s success, it’s time to spotlight the exceptional talents that have earned prestigious awards and honourable mentions.
WINNERS
The ASIFF2023 jury had the challenging task of selecting films that stood out for their storytelling prowess, cinematography, and overall impact. The following films emerged victorious, showcasing the outstanding achievements in the realm of mobile filmmaking:
BEST FEATURE INTERNATIONAL
Directed by Levi Austin Morris
United States
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Directed by Tosin Coker, Geshin Salvador, Seun Afolabi
Nigeria
BEST HORROR FILM
Directed by Shreco Bakari
United States
BEST MICRO SHORT FILM
Directed by Kamal Mimoune TAHTAH
Morocco
BEST PRODUCER
Jyotsana Rajpurohit
India
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Mariah Tanner
WHAT’S ALOHA – proof of concept
United States
BEST PRODUCER INTERNATIONAL
Lebohang Claudia Seemane
South Africa
BEST SHORT FILM
Directed by Senate Ewah
Nigeria
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Directed by SJ van Breda
South Africa
BEST FIRST-TIME FILMMAKER
Christopher Oce
Mexico
BEST DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL
Levi Austin Morris
United States
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Taiwo Oshadare
Nigeria
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Pipe Arcila
Colombia
NEXT – RATED MALE FILMMAKER
GAIUS NDAGI GANA
Nigeria
NEXT – RATED FEMALE FILMMAKER
Minizobuhle Mmango
South Africa
BEST NARRATIVE SHORT
Directed by Leopold Hubert Hoekstra
South Africa
BEST EDITING
Xavier ( adamss Mcgarcia) Garcia
United Kingdom
HONOURABLE MENTION
In addition to our award winners, ASIFF2023 acknowledges the exceptional efforts of several filmmakers with honorable mentions. These films have left an indelible mark on our festival:
Directed by Joyce Nkgapele
South Africa
Directed by Mark Petrasso
Italy
Directed by Dan Tarrant
United States/ Uganda
Directed by Rebecca Rose
Australia
Directed by Prakash Gandhi Natarajan (Dhara Visual)
United States
Directed by Jon-Claire Lee
Australia
Directed by Elies Villalonga
Spain
Directed by Ginna Parra
Colombia
Directed by Olufemi Abioye Abraham
Nigeria
Directed by Mariam Kuku
Nigeria
The Invite
United Kingdom
The diversity of storytelling approaches, genres, and cultural perspectives represented by our award winners and honorable mentions is a testament to the rich tapestry of smartphone cinema. Each film has contributed to making ASIFF2023 a truly global celebration of creativity and innovation.
To our award winners and honorable mentions, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition. Your dedication to the craft has not only enriched this year’s festival but has also set a high standard for the future of smartphone cinema.
As we bid farewell to ASIFF2023, let’s carry forward the inspiration, connections, and unforgettable moments created during these cinematic days. We look forward to witnessing your continued success on the filmmaking journey.
Until next year, keep capturing dreams and empowering stories through the lens of smartphone cinema!
