The 32nd Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) has announced its 2024 winners following an impressive event that ran from October 4 to October 14. This year’s festival highlighted notable premieres, including the U.S. debut of John Crowley’s film, “We Live in Time.” Other standout screenings included “Nightbitch,” “A Real Pain,” “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” and R.J. Cutler’s Netflix documentary, “Martha,” focused on Martha Stewart.
This year’s award winners, as selected by the HIFF jury and audience members. The HIFF Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “Armand,” which also serves as Norway’s submission for the 2025 Academy Awards. Directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, a grandson of Liv Ullmann and Ingmar Bergman, “Armand” features Renate Reinsve, known for her roles in “A Different Man” and “The Worst Person in the World,” as a mother grappling with her seemingly troubled six-year-old son. The film debuted at Cannes before its screening at HIFF and is distributed in the U.S. by IFC Films.
The narrative competition jury, composed of Joanna Arnow, Wyatt Cenac, and Genevieve Villaflor, praised “Armand” as “an intense journey into the complexities of human nature.” They commended Tøndel’s skillful storytelling and Reinsve’s captivating performance, which leaves a lasting impression. In recognition of its artistic achievement, “Armand” received a $2,500 cash prize along with $72,500 in in-kind goods and services, courtesy of sponsors Panavision, Hamptons Locations, and On Location Education.
The HIFF Award for Best Documentary Feature was awarded to “Viktor,” directed by Olivier Sarbil. This film, which also received a $2,500 cash prize and $20,000 in in-kind goods and services sponsored by GreenSlate and 91 East Productions, was praised by jury members Ebs Burnough, Rachel Fleit, and Tomris Laffly for its innovative approach. They highlighted Sarbil’s use of striking black-and-white imagery and inventive sound design, which adds significant depth to the film’s narrative, reflecting the resilience of the human spirit amid the chaos of war.
In addition to the main awards, the narrative jury granted a Special Jury Prize to “Beautiful Men,” directed by Nicolas Keppens, for its originality and thoughtful portrayal of masculinity. The documentary jury also awarded a Special Jury Prize to “Walk with Me,” recognizing director Heidi Levitt’s intimate and generous storytelling.
The award for Best Narrative Short Film went to Djiby Kebe’s “L’Avance,” while Jacqueline Baylon’s “Until He’s Back” was named Best Documentary Short Film. Both short films received $1,000 cash prizes and are now eligible for consideration at the Academy Awards.
Audience Award winners were also announced, with festival attendees selecting “Bob Trevino Likes It” for Best Narrative Feature, “The World According to Allee Willis” for Best Documentary Feature, and “A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack, for Best Short Film.
The complete list of winners includes:
HIFF Award Winners:
- Best Narrative Feature: “Armand,” directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel
- Best Documentary Feature: “Viktor,” directed by Olivier Sarbil
- Best Documentary Feature Special Mention: “Walk with Me,” directed by Heidi Levitt
- Best Narrative Short Film: “L’Avance,” directed by Djiby Kebe
- Best Documentary Short Film: “Until He’s Back,” directed by Jacqueline Baylon
- Best Narrative Short Film Special Mention: “Beautiful Men,” directed by Nicolas Keppens
Audience Award Winners:
- Best Narrative Feature: “Bob Trevino Likes It,” directed by Tracie Laymon
- Best Documentary Feature: “The World According to Allee Willis,” directed by Alexis Spraic
- Best Short Film: “A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack
Additional Awards:
- Peter Macgregor-Scott Memorial Award: “Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” directed by Julia Aks and Steve Pinder
- Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for Films of Conflict and Resolution: “Antidote,” directed by James Jones
- Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice: “I’m Your Venus,” directed by Kimberly Reed
- Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award: “Checkpoint Zoo,” directed by Joshua Zeman
- Suffolk County Next Exposure Grant: “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” directed by Tyler Taormina
- Sherzum Award: “A Nice Indian Boy,” directed by Roshan Sethi; “Sabbath Queen,” directed by Sandi DuBowski
- New York Women in Film & Television Award for Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking: “Bob Trevino Likes It,” directed by Tracie Laymon
- New York Women in Film & Television Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking: “The Last of the Sea Women,” directed by Sue Kim
University Short Film Awards:
- “Praeis,” directed by Dovydas Drakšas (London Film School)
- “Tornado,” directed by Jack Kendrick (NYU)
- “Bug Diner,” directed by Phoebe Jane Hart (California Institute of the Arts)
- “My Morning,” directed by Liav Tamuz (Minshar School for Art, Israel)
- “The Truck,” directed by Elizabeth Rao(NYU)
Previously Announced Awards:
- Career Achievement in Acting Award: Demi Moore
- Dick Cavett Artistic Champion Award: Liev Schreiber
- Breakthrough Performer Award: Clarence Maclin
- Breakthrough Director Award: Malcolm Washington
- Achievement in Screenwriting Award: Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein
The Hamptons International Film Festival continues to celebrate cinematic excellence and emerging talent, providing a platform for diverse voices in film.
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