Winners Announced at the Grand Closing of LUSCA Film Fest 2023
An evening of celebration and triumph for local and international cinema at Caribbean Cinemas at Plaza Guaynabo
San Juan, Puerto Rico – The 17th edition of the LUSCA Film Fest concluded with an award ceremony celebrating the cinematic excellence of local and international filmmakers. This festival, held from October 18 to 25 at Caribbean Cinemas at Plaza Guaynabo, has served as a global platform allowing filmmakers to present their art to a diverse and passionate audience.
Zoilo Rodríguez, director of the LUSCA Film Fest, stated: "The LUSCA Film Fest has established itself as a space for celebration and creative exchange. The diversity of the works presented, along with the participation of filmmakers from different parts of the world, reflects our inclusive spirit. Special events and educational workshops add an enriching dimension, making this festival a complete experience for cinema lovers.”
The winners announced at the closing ceremony are as follows:
Main Categories:
Best Film: "My Mother's Eyes"
Best Director: Kenichi Sono for "Threads of Blue"
Local Short Film Audience Award: "Combinación pepper pollo con tostones"
Local Animation Audience Award: Tie between "Ceiba y sus raíces taínas" and "Sacred Lights"
International Short Audience Award: "Deadline"
Local Categories and Local Short Films:
Best Local Director: Yaremette S. Osorio for "Foreplay"
Best Local Editing: Lester E. Ortiz for "Foreplay"
Best Local Actress: Phanie Giboyeaux for "Foreplay"
Best Local Screenplay: Linda D. Maymí and Adrián Borges for "La Comuna"
Best Local Actor: Jeffrey Rivera for "Intrusivo"
Best Local Cinematography: NJ Valentino for "El Entierro"
Best Local Action/Thriller Short Film: "Hermanita"
Best Local Horror/Thriller Short Film: "El Entierro"
Best Local Sci-Fi & Fantasy Short Film: "8:3"
Best Local Drama Short Film: "Los Estraniños"
Best Local Dark Comedy Short Film: "Elena Sin Miedo"
International and Animation Categories:
Best International Short Film Director: Raúl Cerezo & Carlos Moriana for "El Semblante (Facies)"
Best International Horror & Thriller Short Film: "Melbo"
Best International Dark Comedy Short Film: "Violet Butterfield: Makeup Artist for the Dead"
Best International Sci-Fi & Fantasy Short Film: "The Old Young Crow"
Best Local Animation: "Bubble Head"
Special Projects and Screenplay Contest:
Virtual Reality Project: "Mahal"
Local Script: 1st place "Unconscious", 2nd place "El Festival", 3rd place "Perros en la Luna"
International Script: 1st place "Avon Lady", 2nd place "Inkwell", 3rd place "Gulp!"
Victoria Carrillo was announced as the winner of the "Never Trust The Living Sweepstakes" contest, which awarded a trip to Chicago for two people, including flights and hotel for 3 days and 2 nights to see “Beetlejuice The Musical” on Broadway Tour.
Within the framework of the festival, special events such as the “The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-A-Long and Dress Up Party” and the screening of “The Exorcist”, which featured an in depth analysis by film critics Juanma Fernández París and Mario Alegre Femenías, were celebrated. These activities enriched the festival experience, providing experiences for interaction and enjoyment for guests.
The volunteers, described as the heart of the festival, played a crucial role in the realization of the LUSCA Film Fest 2023. Their dedication and effort were fundamental to the success of the event. And this gratitude extended to the sponsors: Party City, Rums of Puerto Rico, Liberty, La X, ABC Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Tourism Company, Caribbean Cinemas, Final Draft, Atlantic University College, Rimas Publishing, Sony Pictures, and PRO Billboards, whose support significantly contributed to the realization of the festival.
For more details on the winners and the festival, you are invited to visit the official LUSCA Film Fest website. The 2024 edition is eagerly anticipated, continuing the tradition of celebrating cinema in the heart of the Caribbean.
