Denver Film Festival Announces 2024 Award Winners, Spotlighting Emerging and Oscar-Contending Films

The 48th annual Denver Film Festival concluded yesterday with the announcement of its award recipients, recognizing both audience favorites and films poised for potential Oscar recognition.

“Calle Malaga,” directed by Maryam Touzani and representing Morocco in the international feature Oscar race, took home the Narrative Feature Audience Award. “Comparsa,” a Guatemala–United States co-production exploring Carnival traditions and cultural survival, earned the Documentary Feature Audience Award, while “The Singers,” directed by Sam Davis, won the Short Film Audience Award. Among the juried awards, Olivier Laxe’s “Sirāt” received the Krzysztof Kieslowski Award for Best Feature Film, and Laura Poitras and Mark Obenhaus’s “Cover-Up,” a Netflix acquisition, won the Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary. This festival is a key launching pad for independent films seeking wider distribution and awards consideration.

Jurors praised “Sirāt” as “a movie you’ll never forget,” highlighting its “brilliant performances, sound design and cinematography.” “Cover-Up” was lauded for its “radically honest portrayal” of investigative journalism and its examination of state-sanctioned violence. Additional juried awards included the American Independent Award for “Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)” and the Grand Jury Award for Short Film to “The Singers” once again. The festival also honored industry veterans like Lucy Liu with the John Cassavetes Award and Delroy Lindo with the Next50 Career Achievement Award; you can find more information about film awards and recognition at the Academy Awards website.

The Music on Film – Film on Music Documentary Grant Awards (MOFFOM) were also presented, with “Bulletproof Stockings” and “The Road to Ruane” receiving $5,000 and $15,000 respectively to support their completion. Artistic Director Matthew Campbell stated, “This year’s Denver Film Festival celebrated an extraordinary lineup of films, visionary storytellers, and unforgettable experiences,” adding that the winners represent “the very best of bold, authentic storytelling.” Denver Film continues to be a vital part of the regional film landscape, as detailed on their official website.

Festival organizers stated they will begin planning for the 49th annual event, aiming to continue showcasing independent and international cinema.