Not even Southern California’s pervasive and overcast “June Gloom” weather could put a damper on the spirits of the filmmakers, programmers, and Festival staff as this diverse and innovative group of creators gathered at the Festival Lounge at the historic Culver Studios for the announcement of the 2016 LA Film Festival award winners.

The reception was hosted by LA Film Festival Director of Programming Roya Rastegar and Creative Director Jennifer Cochis, who handed out awards for US Fiction, World Fiction, Documentary, LA Muse and Nightfall, as well as Short Fiction and Short Documentary. Audience Awards were also presented for Fiction Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Film and Web Series. The ceremony was sponsored by the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.

“With all the talk about diversifying Hollywood, the LA Film Festival provides proof that talented filmmakers with new voices are out there, they just need a platform and that’s what we’re providing,” said LA Film Festival Director Stephanie Allain, who added, “One of the more satisfying aspects of this job is watching new directors blossom in the spotlight. I’m grateful to our esteemed jurors for their service and congratulate the winners.”

So what are we waiting for? Here’s who was celebrating in Culver City:

• The U.S. Fiction Award went to Remy Auberjonois for Blood Stripe, which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The World Fiction Award went to Anaïs Volpé for HEIS (chronicles), which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The Documentary Award went to Jonah Markowitz and Tracy Wares for Political Animals, which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The LA Muse Award was given to Heidi Saman for Namour, which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The Nightfall Award went to Jackson Stewart for Beyond The Gates, which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The Audience Award for Fiction Feature Film went to GREEN / is / GOLD, directed by Ryon Baxter which made its World Premiere at the Festival.

• The Audience Award for Documentary Feature Film was given to Political Animals, directed by Jonah Markowitz and Tracy Wares.

• The Award for Short Fiction went to The Beast (Zvjerka), directed by Daina Oniunas Pusić.

• The Award for Short Documentary went to The Gatekeeper, directed by Yung Chang.

• The Audience Award for Short Film went to Into Darkness directed by Rachida El Garani.

• The Audience Award for Web Series went to Instababy, directed by Rosie Haber.

Thanks for being a part of this year’s Festival! See below for exclusive video highlights from each day of the Festival and for more, be sure to check out the 2016 LA Film Festival on our blog and YouTube channel.

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