SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

"A subject matter this unusual may invite scrutiny yet the celebration of the power of imagination reflects the spirit of Sundance."

"To a film that comprises the best of both great comedy and drama."

"Innovative filmmaking on a bold scale, centered on a Hertzogian main character."

Breakout First Feature - "This filmmakers dare to expose a story that powerful forces would rather keep hidden."

Vérité Filmmaking - "We recognized the restraint of filmmakers letting image and sound to speak for itself."

Social Impact - "If you have paid any attention to the news, you know that we are a nation in crisis. As a jury, we feel that it is important to recognize a film that because of the close collaboration between the filmmakers and their subjects, lets the audience examined that crisis, lets the audience considered the consequences of that crisis, and invites us all to consider this very difficult question: why are young black men so often the objects of fear? This documentary matters."

Collaborative Vision - "We are honoring two individuals for their unique collaborative vision. Two women that between them wrote, starred and co-edited a beautiful parable about a mother's love, sacrifice and society's worship of youth."

Impact -"For its judgmental humanism and its potential to change policy around the world."

Unparalleled Access - "For gaining such extraordinary trust and intimacy with its main character and thereby revealing a world which is increasingly relevant today."

Acting

Acting

"To a filmmaker who had courage to pursue a story that developed with unexpected complexity. His confident hand takes us into a world where we see both brutality and grace."

"To a director who demonstrated a consistent and excellently rendered vision, creating a story that was hauntingly detailed as it was masterfully executed."

"Fiercely compassionate and skillfully constructed, this film is one of the best director-subject duets in cinema."

"The risks a documentarian with a camera faces are physical, emotional and ethical. This cinematographers navigated all, allowing us to care deeply about people while creating images that propel us through a landscape of nightmares."

"A screenplay that brings to life a true story that is as powerful and unfortunately relevant even almost moreso today than it was 44 years ago."

"To a person whose innovative cutting and skillful manipulation of time and rhythm made this story dope!"

"For its brilliant weaving of past and present and skillfully layered storytelling."

"This piece was absolute fun. It exploded in different perspectives and layers of story told in unusual colors and a fun house of style."

"This film explores the awkwardness of misguided desires on a deep level."

"Loaded with strong directing and powerful unpredictable performances, this film creates an unconventional moving hero with a late awakening"

"Beginning with an engaging and smart visual hook, this film goes beyond that quiet storytelling to reveal unexpected twists and turns. We are led through humor and heartbreak while also challenging our judgement and first impressions of the subject."

Acting -"In a role that is so often cliched, this actress balances raw honesty with grace and clever choices that cut deep in startling ways. Powerful emotion is held just under the skin with the combination of subtle technique and remarkable emotional control."

Visual Poetry - "For its extraordinary visual storytelling and it let us through beauty, darkness and suspense in an untraditional way."

"When we saw this film, we unanimously agreed on our connection with it. It was similar to being an abstract train. We had no idea where it was going but we knew we're gonna get there safely. Some of the wittiest writing with a unique way of story building, this film removed the weight of our own philosophical dilemmas."