Nevada Short Film Festival Fall 2021

The 2nd edition of the Nevada Short Film Festival took place on Sunday September 19, 2021 at the Reno Little Theater 147 E. Pueblo St. Reno, NV 89502 presented by Film Festival Circuit. The official selection, award finalist and award winner laurels are publicly available. (LINK) All film and series episode submissions were submitted via FilmFreeway. Please check out our FilmFreeway waiver code list and save 20% on future film festival submissions. The official NSFF Shirts, Sweatshirts and clothing are now available in our online store. The Nevada Film Festival is a great opportunity to network with others in the Film and Television Industry. This event is hosted by Director Mikel Fair, author of the Film Festival Submitter’s Handbook. If you are interested in attending the NSFF in the future, or to get updates, please join our emailing list. 

NOTE: Fall 2021 Deferred Films (Screening Spring 2022)

Please note that some filmmakers from the Fall 2021 Season have deferred their screening date until the March 2022 event due to travel reasons. This does not affect award standing, nominations, wins or laurels. Changing the screening date is a courtesy for those that want to participate, but were not able to attend our Fall 2021 event.

1. Antisera, Directed by Marc Cleary (California)
2. Breathe, Directed by Lizette Hunter and Angel Contreras (Nevada)
3. Caleb and the Perfect Order of Things, Directed by Tyson Hunsaker (Utah/Idaho/Nevada)
4. Can't Drink the Kool-Aid, Directed by Sam Benson Smith (California)
5. Come Find Me, Directed by Nela Wagman (New York)
6. Defenseless, Directed by Javier Augusto Nunez (California)
7. Don't Let Go, Directed by Mel Orpen (California)
8. Phantom Pain, Directed by Henry James (California)
9. Rocks & Salt - Kentucky Straight Blues - Official Music Video, Directed by Vitaliy Strokous (California)
10. Tangerine Labyrinth, Directed by Samwell Freesun (Maine)
11. The Last of Ian Campbell, Directed by Courtney Deelen (Canada)
12. The Partisan, Directed by Walter Haussner (United States)
13. The Virus, Directed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith (California)
14. Thee Who Hesitates..., Directed by Kelly Perine (California)
15. What's in the Woods?, Directed by Michel Dominguez Beddome (New York)
16. Zamboni, Directed by Jon Lazar (New York)

Fall 2021 Award Winners And Finalists

The following film, video, screenplay and teleplay submissions rated in the top 30% by the Nevada based judges and have been named Official Selections. The awards nominations are listed below.

Best Acting Performance Award Finalists

• Sophia Mossa in "Come Find Me" Directed by Nela Wagman (New York)
• Andre Montano in "Him & Her" Directed by Aaron Castillo (Nevada) - Winner!
• Vergi Rodriguez in "Dreamer" Directed by Vergi Rodriguez and Diana Zollicoffer (California)

Best Action Film Award Winner

• Antisera, Directed by Marc Cleary (California)
  
  

Best Action Micro Film Award Winner

• License to Steal, Directed by Mat Grimes (Ohio)
  
  

Best Animated Film Award Winner

• Being A Dog, Directed by Felix Swahn (Sweden)

Best Cinematography Award Finalists

• Cowboy, Directed by Matthew Wheat and Andrew Preston (California)
• The Mugging of Christian Brown, Directed by Spencer Halverson (California)
• Midnight, Directed by Tony Lugo (United States) - Winner!

Best Comedy Film Award Finalists

• The Carnival, Directed by Zachary Krueger (Illinois)
• Divine Imperfection, Directed by Stuart Blue (Wisconsin) - Winner!
• Killers Inc, Directed by Graham Peak (United Kingdom)

Best Comedy Screenplay Award Winner

• Henching, Written by Jason Lor (California)

Best Dark Comedy Film Award Winner

• Exaltation, Directed by Kevin P Kearney (California)

Best Dark Comedy Micro Film Award Winner

• Can't Drink the Kool-Aid, Directed by Sam Benson Smith (California)

Best Dark Drama Film Award Winner

• Defenseless, Directed by Javier Augusto Nunez (California)

Best Dark Drama Micro Film Award Winner

• Blind Runners, Directed by Hunter Fenoglio (Illinois)

Best Dark Drama Screenplay Award Winner

• The Suicide Diaries, Written by Joseph Lint (California/Nevada)

Best Documentary Film Award Finalists

• Caleb and the Perfect Order of Things, Directed by Tyson Hunsaker (Utah/Idaho/Nevada)
• Thee Who Hesitates..., Directed by Kelly Perine (California)
• Mason's Return to Dirt, Directed by Tim Burr (Colorado) - Winner!

Best Documentary Micro Film Award Winner

• A Message to My Youngest Son, Directed by Letitia Capili (California)

Best Drama Film Award Finalists

• Zamboni, Directed by Jon Lazar (New York)
• The Last of Ian Campbell, Directed by Courtney Deelen (Canada)
• Off On Buttons, Directed by Kyle Klubal (United States) - Winner!

Best Drama Micro Film Award Winner

• Breathe, Directed by Lizette Hunter and Angel Contreras (Nevada)

Best Ensemble Cast Award Finalists

• RED MRKT, Directed by Beau Knapp (California)
• What's in the Woods?, Directed by Michel Dominguez Beddome (New York) - Winner!
• Class, Directed by Enzo Cellucci and Ash McNair (New York)

Best Experimental Film Award Winner

• Phantom Pain, Directed by Henry James (California)

Best Experimental Music Video Award Winner

• Geneva Jacuzzi's Casket, Directed by Chris Friend (California)

Best Fantasy Film Award Winner

• Tangerine Labyrinth, Directed by Samwell Freesun (Maine)

Best Fantasy Screenplay Award Winner

• Windy, Written by Todd Sorrell (Hawaii)

Best Horror Comedy Film Award Winner

• The Fuzzies, Directed by Josh Funk (California)

Best Horror Comedy Micro Film Award Winner

• The Virus, Directed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith (California)

Best Horror Film Award Winner

• Echthaar, Directed by Dominic Kubisch (Austria)

Best Horror Micro Film Award Winner

• First Date, Directed by Paul Laier (California)

Best Horror Screenplay Award Winner

• 7 Evils, Written by Antoinette Fernandez (Massachusetts)

Best International Film Award Finalists

• War Games, Directed by Dacio Caballero (Spain)
• Hannah Rosenthal, Directed by Naomi Lisner (Australia)
• This One Time..., Directed by Yassi Jahanmir (Kuwait) - Winner!

Best International Micro Film Award Winner

• Bye Dummy, Directed by Aniruddh K (Singapore)

Best International Screenplay Award Winner

• A Vegan Love Story, Written by Desmond Ngai (Canada)

Best Music Video Award Finalists

• Rocks & Salt - Kentucky Straight Blues - Official Music Video, Directed by Vitaliy Strokous (California)
• Trouble, Directed by Glenn Barbosa and Brittney Graves (Nevada) - Winner!
• On My Way, Directed by Marco Cheng (Canada)

Best Relationship Drama Award Finalists

• Don't Let Go, Directed by Mel Orpen (California)
• Hearts of New England, Directed by J.R. Fortin and Stephen Conicelli (Maine) - Winner!
• Rise of the Dead: The Undead Heart, Directed by Jack Hillebrecht (New Jersey/Massachusetts)

Best Romantic Comedy Screenplay Award Winner

• Three Nights Only, Written by Philip C. Sedgwick (Arizona)

Best Science Fiction Film Award Winner

• Marvelous Little World, Directed by Joshua Whitehorn (California)

Best Science Fiction Micro Film Award Winner

• The Girl on the Moon, Directed by Georgina Jenkins (Australia)

Best Screenplay Award Winner

• Sleep, Written by Jason Lor (California)

All Fall 2021 Official Selections

• 7 Evils, Written by Antoinette Fernandez (Massachusetts)
• A Message to My Youngest Son, Directed by Letitia Capili (California)
• A Story of Courage, Directed by Ariana Feiner (Georgia)
• A Vegan Love Story, Written by Desmond Ngai (Canada)
• Antisera, Directed by Marc Cleary (United States)
• Being A Dog, Directed by Felix Swahn (Sweden)
• Blind Runners, Directed by Hunter Fenoglio (Illinois)
• Breathe, Directed by Lizette Hunter and Angel Contreras (Nevada)
• Bye Dummy, Directed by Aniruddh K (Singapore)
• Caleb and the Perfect Order of Things, Directed by Tyson Hunsaker (United States)
• Can't Drink the Kool-Aid, Directed by Sam Benson Smith (United States)
• Class, Directed by Enzo Cellucci and Ash McNair (New York)
• Come Find Me, Directed by Nela Wagman (United States)
• Cowboy, Directed by Matthew Wheat and Andrew Preston (California)
• Defenseless, Directed by Javier Augusto Nunez (California)
• Divine Imperfection, Directed by Stuart Blue (Wisconsin)
• Don't Let Go, Directed by Mel Orpen (California)
• Dreamer, Directed by Vergi Rodriguez and Diana Zollicoffer (California)
• Echthaar, Directed by Dominic Kubisch (Austria)
• Exaltation, Directed by Kevin P Kearney (California)
• Fading Dream, Directed by Nicholas Ferlisi (Alabama)
• First Date, Directed by Paul Laier (California)
• Geneva Jacuzzi's Casket, Directed by Chris Friend (California)
• Hannah Rosenthal, Directed by Naomi Lisner (Australia)
• Hearts of New England, Directed by J.R. Fortin and Stephen Conicelli (United States)
• Henching, Written by Jason Lor (United States)
• Him & Her, Directed by Aaron Castillo (Nevada)
• Killers Inc, Directed by Graham Peak (United Kingdom)
• License to Steal, Directed by Mat Grimes (Ohio)
• Marvelous Little World, Directed by Joshua Whitehorn (California)
• Mason's Return to Dirt, Directed by Tim Burr (Colorado)
• Midnight, Directed by Tony Lugo (United States)
• Murder For Dummies, Directed by Meredith Red (United States)
• Off On Buttons, Directed by Kyle Klubal (United States)
• On My Way, Directed by Marco Cheng (Canada)
• Phantom Pain, Directed by Henry James (California)
• RED MRKT, Directed by Beau Knapp (United States)
• Rise of the Dead: The Undead Heart, Directed by Jack Hillebrecht (United States)
• Rocks & Salt - Kentucky Straight Blues - Official Music Video, Directed
  by Vitaliy Strokous (California)
• Sleep, Written by Jason Lor (United States)
• Tangerine Labyrinth, Directed by Samwell Freesun (Maine)
• The Carnival, Directed by Zachary Krueger (United States)
• The Fuzzies, Directed by Josh Funk (California)
• The Girl on the Moon, Directed by Georgina Jenkins (Australia)
• The Last of Ian Campbell, Directed by Courtney Deelen (Canada)
• The Mugging of Christian Brown, Directed by Spencer Halverson (California)
• The Partisan, Directed by Walter Haussner (United States)
• The Suicide Diaries, Written by Joseph Lint (California/Nevada)
• The Virus, Directed by Lorinda Hawkins Smith (California)
• Thee Who Hesitates..., Directed by Kelly Perine (California)
• This One Time..., Directed by Yassi Jahanmir (Kuwait)
• Three Nights Only, Written by Philip C. Sedgwick (United States)
• Trouble, Directed by Glenn Barbosa and Brittney Graves (Nevada)
• War Games, Directed by Dacio Caballero (Spain)
• What's in the Woods? Directed by Michel Dominguez Beddome (New York)
• Windy, Written by Todd Sorrell (United States)
• Zamboni, Directed by Jon Lazar (New York)