"For its honesty, humor and potential to changes minds and even save lives, the jury awards the Documentary Award to Wish Me Away."

"For mixing innovative three-dimensional paper-cut animation, a stunning white-on-white visual style, and a wryly original sense of storytelling, the jury presents the Animated Short Film Award to Mikey Please for The Eagleman Stag."

"For using gorgeous cinematography and energetic editing to capture a young woman's journey from biological maleness to forthright femininity, and for giving us a glimpse at an open-minded new generation with a better understanding of gender and sexuality issues than their parents ever dreamed, the jury presents the Documentary Short Film Award to Susan Koenen for I Am a Girl!"

"For offering insight into the specifics of life under theocratic rule in Iran in a way that speaks to us all, with a remarkable lead performance by an actress forced by circumstances to remain anonymous, the jury presents the Narrative Short Film Award to Saba Riazi for The Wind is Blowing on My Street."

"At a time where actors are often asked to take a larger role in the creation of what is said in a film and how it's done, the performers of How to Cheat deserve special distinction. Kent Osborne, Amber Sealey, Amanda Street, and Gabriel Diamond dug deeper and messier, heroically past the point of comfort."

"An entire tree sticking out of a fireplace...a beaten-up snowman...an operatically dancing inflatable blue dude...the anything but familiar images of Familiar Ground won't soon be forgotten. In a strong narrative competition this year, this was the singular vision that stood out the most."