Festival Awards
Audience Choice Awards
2019
Best Feature & Best Cinematography,
Feature: Show Me What You Got
Best Documentary: The Condor & The Eagle
2018
Best Feature: Saint Judy
Best Documentary: Fiddlin’
2017
Best Feature: D-Love
Best Documentary: Blood Road
2016
Best Feature: Sugar!
Best Documentary: My Love Affair with the Brain
2015
Best Feature: The Lennon Report
Best Documentary: Yemeniettes
2014
Best Feature: The Park Bench
Best Documentary: Cyber-Seniors
2013
Best Feature: Margarita
Best Documentary: The Girls In the Band
2011
Best Feature: The First Grader
Best Documentary: Bill Cunningham New York
2010
Best Feature: Welcome
Best Documentary: Waiting For “Superman”
2009
Best Feature: Skin
Best Documentary: Signs Of The Time
2008
Best Feature: Phoebe in Wonderland
Best Documentary: Autism: The Musical
2006
Best Feature: The Lives Of Others
Best Documentary: American Blackout
2005
Best Feature: The World’s Fastest Indian
Best Documentary: Christa Mcauliffe: Reach For The Stars
2004
Best Feature: Dear Frankie
Best Documentary: Born Into Brothels
2003
Best Feature: In America
Best Documentary: My Architect
2002
Best Feature: Nowhere In Africa
Best Documentary: Blue Vinyl
2001
Best Feature: No Man’s Land
Best Documentary: Southern Comfort
The Susan B. Anthony “Failure is Impossible” Award
Honors a woman in the film industry who has persevered in her career and triumphed over difficulties.
2017: Cinematographer Nancy Schreiber, ASC
2011: Director/filmmaker Julie Taymor
2010: Film Editor Thelma Schoonmaker
2009: Actors Lynn Redgrave and CCH Pounder
2008: Actor Rita Moreno
2006: Director Agnieszka Holland
2005: Actor Angela Bassett
2004: Actor Sally Kellerman
2003: Actor Candice Bergen
2002: Actor Lainie Kazan
2001: Actor Pam Grier
The Rochester Film Legacy Award
Honors a filmmaker or film supporter based in the Rochester area whose passion and dedication embodies Rochester’s proud film legacy.
2019: Jack Garner
2016: June Foster
2015: Marilyn O’Connor
2011: Brock Yates
The Elizabeth Cady Stanton “Thorn in the Side” Award
Honors women who exemplify the collaborative nature of film and video. The award is named in honor of Stanton, who said: “If there is one part of my life which gives me more intense satisfaction than another, it is my friendship with Susan B. Anthony… we have indeed been thorns in the side of each other…”
2019: Catherine Wyler, founding Artistic Director, High Falls Film Festival
2009: Debra Zimmerman
2008: Estela Bravo, director
2006: Stella Pence, (retired) Co-Director, Telluride Film Festival
The Therese DePrez Award for Outstanding Production Design
Pays tribute to Rochester born award-winning production designer Therese DePrez’s memory and legacy while inspiring a new generation of women in the industry.
2019: Adri Siriwatt – Go Back to China
2018: Sally Del Castillo – Darcy
The Faith Hubley “Web of Life” Award
Named after its first recipient, honors a woman who understands the power of art in connecting with an audience and in making the world a better place.
2005: Jane Alexander, actor
2004: Mira Nair, filmmaker
2003: Jeannie Epper, stuntwoman
2002: Nancy Cartwright, voice actor
2001: Faith Hubley, animator
The Golden Lens Award for Cinematography
Honors a person who has made creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of cinematography.
2011: Buddy Squires