Each year, GBFF serves to highlight the incredible work of all the creatives who pour their heart and soul into projects that put 2SLGBTQIA+ stories and representation on screen.
All the films that are run at the festival have the opportunity to be scored by a panel of judges from within the media and filmmaking industry (read about the judges here).
With categories spanning from Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best Music Video…to celebrating many creative aspects of the filmmaking process including Best Cinematography, Best Writing, Best Sound/Music, and many more – there is much to celebrate and show appreciation for!
CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners, runners up, and honorable mentions from Gilbert Baker Film Festival 2023 who have been awarded as the following:
BEST IN FESTIVAL
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Mama Bears (2022)
BEST FEATURE FILM
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Mama Bears (2022)
BEST SHORT FILM
Winner: Lambing (2022)
Runner Up: Immortal (2019)
BEST WEB SERIES
Winner: Real: The Series (2023)
Runner Up: Italian 101 (2018) & Italian 102 (2020)
BEST ANIMATION
Winner: Café au Fate (2023)
Runner Up: RECLAIMING MY VOICE (2022)
BEST DIRECTION
Winner: Mama Bears (2022)
Runner Up: Immortal (2019)
BEST WRITING
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Mama Bears (2022)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Winner: Immortal (2019)
Runner Up: Lambing (2022)
BEST PERFORMANCE/ACTING
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Mama Bears (2022)
BEST PRODUCTION VALUE
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Lambing (2022)
BEST SOUND/MUSIC
Winner: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
Runner Up: Secrets of a Wallaby Boy (2022)
BEST COSTUME DESIGN/MAKE UP
Winner: Erzulie (2021)
Runner Up: Cafe au Fate (2023)
and
Runner Up: Six Words (2018)
BEST EDITING
Winner: Mama Bears (2022)
Runner Up: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
MOST EVOCATIVE/EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Winner: Mama Bears (2022)
Runner Up: AKOE/AMFI – The Story of a Revolution (*Just to sleep on their chest…) (2023)
and
Runner Up: MAJOR! (2015)
MOST Authentic/Positive LGBTQIA+ Representation
Winner: Mama Bears (2022)
Runner Up: MAJOR! (2015)
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS:
Winner: MAJOR! (2015)
Runner Up: The Secret Lives of Lesbians Cats (2023)
and
Runner Up: REAL: The Series (2023)
Honorable Mentions:
– Erzulie (2021)
– Park 33 (2022)
– Lambing (2022)
– Six Words (2018)
– Mama Bears (2022)
– And They Named Her Love (2023)
– Glances (2020)