This year’s Inside Out LGBT Film Festival was full of memorable moments – from Stonewall veteran and black trans activist, Miss Major to Christopher and Gia, the young and inspiring subjects of our Closing Gala, Kiki to the Toronto cast and crew of the Women’s Gala, Almost Adults, the over-the-top presence of Hurricane Bianca’s Bianca Del Rio, to name just a few.

CANADIAN JURIED AWARDS

This year’s Canadian jury consisted of Sonia Hong, Mark Pariselli and Berwyn Reynolds.

Best Canadian Feature
Sponsored by Entertainment Partners Canada/Canada Film Capital, this $2,000 award is presented to an established Canadian artist for their short or feature-length narrative or documentary film.

Closet Monster (Canada) | Directed by Stephen Dunn

“A natural progression of his often dark, surreal and carnal storytelling style, Closet Monster is a striking and distinctive approach to a coming of age story, using elements of magic realism to tackle difficult issues.”

Emerging Canadian Artist
Sponsored by RBC Royal Bank, this $2,500 cash award funded by our presenting sponsor is awarded to an emerging Canadian filmmaker who is in the early stages of their career. The recipient must have directed no more than two fiction narrative short films, or no more than one fiction narrative feature-length film.

Blake Mawson (Director of PYOTR 495)

“The special effects were more than we had expected in a short… the bar has truly been raised to a new heigh for future filmmakers.”

Best Canadian Short
Sponsored by HARDtv, this $750 cash award is presented to a Canadian filmmaker for their short form narrative or documentary film.

Never Steady, Never Still (Canada) | Directed by Kathleen Hepburn

“Quietly powerful and beautiful, [Never Steady, Never Still features] evocative cinematography, nuanced performances and a delicate directorial touch”

INTERNATIONAL JURIED AWARDS

Bill Sherwood Award for Best First Feature
Named in honour of the gay American film director, who stepped boldly onto the international film stage in 1986 with his first feature, PARTING GLANCES, this $2,500 cash award is an international prize presented to a first-time feature director.

Spa Night (USA) | Directed by Andrew Ahn

“Featuring a stunning performance from the film’s lead actor, as well as remarkable performances from the supporting cast, [Spa Night] is a deeply resonant story that needs to be told. And, the film is a clear breakthrough for this first-time director.”

AUDIENCE AWARDS

Best Narrative Feature
This generous $2,500 award is presented to the audience’s favourite feature-length film. Sponsored by Suzy Zucker.

ANGRY INDIAN GODDESSES (India) | Directed by Pan Nalin

Best Documentary Film
This $500 prize is named in recognition of the contribution of Elle Flanders, Inside Out’s Executive Director from 1996 to 1999.

MAJOR! (USA) | Directed by Annalise Ophelian

Best Short Film
Sponsored by Michael Leshner and Michael Stark (in honour of Mikey/Schmikey), this $1,500 award is presented to a short film under 50 minutes in length.

Oh-be-joyful (UK) | Directed by Susan Jacobson

This year marks the inaugural Inside Out BravoFACT Pitch Competition. Five teams were selected to pitch their short narrative film projects in front of a jury of industry experts and a live audience at this year’s Festival. The winning team is presented a cash prize of $50,000 from BravoFACT to complete the project and it will screen at the 2017 Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival.

The winning team for the BravoFACT Pitch Competition Winner was Kyle Reaume (Director) and Carolyn Reznik (Producer) for What About Shelley.