Black Rain In My Eyes – Best Documentary
Hessan is a Syrian poet and the father of four blind daughters. He hides the war from his kids. He calls the sound of bullets and explosions a celebration and dancing. Hessan has been invited to attend a poetry forum, but taking the girls out and confronting them with the effects of war is a […]
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In Half – Best Animation
Through a child’s imagination it tells the journey of a man who after falling prey to his fears, he must cross a strange world, a universe full of magic, where he will be confronted with his own fears and conflicts from the past and where he must find solutions for the future to discover his […]
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7 to 10 – Best Director
On Halloween, Olivia’s mask slips as she uses sex to repress traumatic flashbacks. Trigger warning: sexual assault Director Biography – Ana Pio Ana Pio wrote and directed her debut short film, in 2014, ‘I Welcome You to This House’, financed by the Portuguese Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual. In 2015, she graduated with the short […]
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The Tragedy of the Lady – Best Student Film
Hannah, a young actress, is forced to compete for the role of Lady Macbeth against her friend, whom she secretly loves.
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Jay Kamal – 2025 HNIFF Presenter
Jay Kamal is an award-winning cinematographer based in Vancouver, Canada. He works worldwide on films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries. Jay holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Film Production from the University of British Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Film and Theatre from the University of Alberta. While […]
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The Two Life of Sepideh-Best Actor-Best Cinematography
After learning about her estranged mother’s severe Alzheimer’s, Sepideh, a single mother, chooses to visit her after ten years despite their troubled past to see if her mother still recognizes her and remembers their conflicts. Soha Niasti, a 28-year-old Iranian filmmaker and actress, holds a background in architecture from the University of Tehran. In 2019, […]
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Maritama Carlson – 2025 HNIFF Judge
Maritama’s journey in the entertainment industry is a testament to her versatility and dedication. Born into a family of performers in Vancouver, BC, she has honed her craft across multiple disciplines, including dancing, singing, modeling, and acting. Her diverse talents have been showcased in a variety of media, from television and web series to film […]
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Karl Willems – 2025 HNIFF Judge
Born November 12, 1967, Karl Willems is a Vancouver born voice director. He has 30 years of experience in the business and started out as a sound engineer before falling into directing. He has directed many pre-lay and ADR shows over the years, including Death Note, Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, and X-Men Evolution. […]
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Corey Woods – 2025 HNIFF Judge
Corey Woods was born in the small village of Fruitvale, BC. After graduating she decided to move out to Vancouver to pursue her passion in acting. Soon after moving she booked her first role in “The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story” and since then had opportunities to work on Lifetimes “The Unauthorized Melrose Place […]
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