Organizers look back at film fest
GREENWICH — “Crime + Punishment,” a documentary exposing illegal arrest quotas, was named best Best Social Impact film at the fourth annual Greenwich International Film Festival, which concluded Sunday.
More than 70 films, panels and parties were held Thursday through Sunday. A jury, led by actor Ryan Eggold of NBC’s “The Blacklist,” chose the best the festival had to offer.
Other winners included “Find This Dumb Little B—— and Throw Her Into A River,” a film from the Netherlands about the consequences of an act of animal cruelty going viral, for best narrative feature. “The Dawn Wall,” about free climber Tommy Caldwell, won best documentary feature. “The Peculiar Abilities of Mr. Mahler” won best narrative short and “Kayayo” won best documentary short.
The award for best Connecticut short film went to “The Hammamis.”
The festival was founded with the goal of advancing social causes along with entertainment.
“I think we really came into our own this year,” festival CoFounder and Board Chair Wendy Stapleton said Monday. “We stand firmly behind our social impact messaging and bring to the community films and panels that address the challenges and opportunities we are facing as women today. We will continue to shine a light in marginalized people and do whatever we can to lift them up in a small way through this little gem of a festival.”
According to the festival, 50 percent of the films shown were either written or directed by women.
The organization’s core team of four increases to about 120 during festival weekend. Executive Director Ginger Stickel said many interns, volunteers and event staff have come back each year because they “want to be a part of the magic of the festival.”
“There is a great sense of accomplishment now that the festival has wrapped,” Stickel said.
“We’ve received incredible feedback from our audience members who took full advantage of festival screenings, panels, receptions and other events.”
During the four days, actress and activist Ashley Judd and local educator Duncan Edwards were honored at the Changemaker Gala; actor and director Tony Goldwyn and Academy Awardwinning screenwriter James Ivory took part in conversations about their work; and Grammy winner Lauryn Hill performed for a packed audience Friday night.
Stickel said the GIFF team will spend the summer collecting feedback from attendees and sponsors and other key stakeholders and the reports they collect will shape what next year’s festival will look like.