Award Winners From the 32nd Hamptons International Film Festival

The 32nd Hamptons International Film Festival, presented by HamptonsFilm, has announced the winners for the feature and short competition sections and audience awards. This year, HIFF screened a lineup of films that are 45 percent female-directed and represent 50 countries from around the world. The festival screened 89 features and 61 shorts with 14 world premieres, two international premieres, nine North American premieres, 15 U.S. premieres, 18 East Coast premieres and 33 New York premieres.

“Armand,’ directed by Halfdan Ullman Tøndel, won the award for Best Narrative Feature. The film received a $2,500 cash prize, and $72,500 in in-kind goods and services.

“Armand is an intense journey into the complexities of human nature. Halfdan Ullman Tøndel has skillfully crafted a narrative that grips you from start to finish, featuring Renate Reinsve in a stunning performance that lingers long after viewing,” said Best Narrative Feature jury members Joanna Arnow, Wyatt Cenac, and Genevive Villaflor. “We are delighted to present Armand with the Best Narrative Feature award, celebrating its bold exploration of accountability and the tumultuous path to redemption.”

“Viktor,” directed by Olivier Sarbil, received the award for Best Documentary Feature. The film received a $2,500 cash prize and $20,000 in in-kind goods and services.

“Amid a remarkable selection of documentary films this year, we are privileged to present Best Documentary Feature to Olivier Sarbil’s Viktor,” said the Documentary Competition jury members Ebs Burnough, Rachel Fleit and Tomris Laffly. “Sarbil’s innovative approach, fusing striking black-and-white imagery with inventive sound design, adds an extraordinary depth to Viktor’s journey, inviting audiences to engage with a conflict that remains inaudible to him yet resonates powerfully through his steadfast determination. This documentary not only illuminates the resilience of the human spirit but also reveals the intricate realities faced by those on the fringes of war.”

“L’Avance,” directed by Djiby Kebe, received the award for Best Narrative Short Film, and “Until He’s Back,” directed by Jacqueline Baylon, won for Best Documentary Short Film. Both films received $1,000 cash prizes and will qualify for Academy Awards consideration.

The Narrative Competition jury recognized Nicolas Keppens’s “Beautiful Men” with a Special Jury Prize for its comedy, originality and thoughtful portrayal of masculinity. The Documentary Competition Jury recognized “Walk With Me,” a Special Jury Prize for director Heidi Levitt’s intimacy and generosity.

HIFF audiences selected narrative feature “Bob Trevino Likes It,” directed by Tracie Laymon, and documentary feature “The World According to Alee Willis,” directed by Alexis Spraic, for this year’s Audience Awards. “A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack received this year’s Audience Award for Best Short Film.

The festival also announced winners for additional special awards. For the full list of award-winning films in the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.

“We congratulate all of our award winners and thank them for bringing their incredible stories and creative art to our audiences out east,” said HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent. “This year brought projects and storytellers from across the globe. Seeing how many projects had the power to personally touch our filmgoers is what brings us back each year. We are thankful to everyone including our staff, filmmakers, volunteers and audiences who make the festival possible each year.”