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The Silent Child revolves around the efforts of a kindly, dedicated social worker (Rachel Shenton, who also wrote the film) attempting to teach sign language to a deaf four-year-old girl (Maisie Sly) as she prepares to start school.

Beautifully shot and scored, it's the strength of the writing and Shelton's deeply compassionate performance that really makes this one soar (Shenton's own father became deaf in his later years, so it's clearly a deeply personal project for her).

As a terrifying look at the isolating potential of deafness and a sad examination of negligent parenting - the child's mother (Rachel Fielding) staunchly opposes the sign language approach. It does a fantastic job getting the audience wholly invested in such a short time, cemented by a devastating final sequence that might leave you wiping away tears.

Thomas Lennon's "Knife Skills" tells the story of Edwins, a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, staffed almost entirely by ex-cons, who learn the fine art of French cooking over the course of weeks, not years. It's a sensitive and optimistic portrayal of people eager for second chances, and a proprietor whose overwhelming sense of shame demands that he make them the offer... It's worth a watch but not as deserving than the eventual winner, "The Silent Child"

Hawkins plays a volunteer helpline counselor who regularly offers a listening ear and emotional support for troubled souls. One day, she gets a call from a lonely old man who ever-so-gradually reveals what's bothering him (Jim Broadbent). As the call goes on, the clock on the wall ticks by, indicating the limited time she may have to avert whatever crisis he's phoned in to report.

As the suspense mounts, the conversation gets increasingly personal, suggesting the possibility that perhaps the Good Samaritan could also use some advice. The ending, while bittersweet, seemed a bit manipulative to me, but Hawkins' performance is worth the watch.