The 10th Annual NYC Web Fest (NYCWF) marked a triumphant return to New York City, bringing together creators, industry professionals, and enthusiasts for a weekend of celebration, screenings, and insightful panels. The event, held at the iconic Producerโs Club in Manhattanโs Theatre District from November 10 to 12, showcased a diverse array of web series and talent, making it a milestone celebration for the festival. Weeks later, weโre excited to be revealing the award winners.
Founder Lauren Atkins expressed her excitement, stating, โThis year was one for the books! Of the 36 projects we screened at the fest, only 11 production teams didnโt make it to New York, everyone else was there. On top of that, just 24 hours before our opening night party, the SAG-AFTRA strike ended for actors. The energy in New York was electric, it was the perfect setting for us to celebrate ten years.โ
The festivities began with an electrifying opening night party at the Greenwich Treehouse in the West Village, a local bar owned by filmmaker Alexandra D. Levinsohn, setting the stage for a weekend filled with screenings, industry panels, and networking opportunities. The NYCWF also featured special events like a workshop on Intimacy Coordinating for Film & TV, led by jury member Jamie Monahan, and a fireside chat with comedian Dan Perlman, hosted by CBS New Yorkโs Donna Drake.
Watch the 10th Anniversary Special on The Donna Drake Show Part 1.
Watch the 10th Anniversary Special on The Donna Drake Show Part 2.
โSeeing as this was the first festival in New York since before the pandemic and so many attendees, we really wanted to give everyone a platform to speak about their art. Itโs been a long 3 years, and it was a New York reunion and celebration after all,โ continued Atkins.
Throughout the weekend, attendees had the chance to engage with seven industry panels, providing a platform for filmmakers to discuss their craft. Founder Lauren Atkins emphasised the importance of giving everyone a voice in light of the festivalโs return to New York after a prolonged absence.
The pinnacle of the festivities unfolded during the grand Awards Ceremony on the eventโs concluding night, coupled with a lively cocktail reception. Standout victors emerged, with Montrealโs Les Mal-Aimants clinching the prestigious Best Web Series Prize, while the New Zealand sensation, Sky Tower, astoundingly clinched four distinct awards. The captivating red carpet interviews orchestrated by Donna Drake amid the Awards Ceremony resulted in a compelling one-hour special broadcasted on national television, spotlighting the creativity and brilliance of the filmmakers gracing the occasion.
โDonna was at our Fifth Anniversary, so weโre especially grateful that she was at our Tenth. I love that we can also stream the CBS special online as well, so many great memories,โ said Atkins. โThe feedback and our experience at The Producerโs Club was so positive, weโve decided to return for 2024!โ
The NYC Web Fest 2023 Award Winners:
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting
- Miguel Ramirez, TJ Wong โ STICKS (WINNER)
- Saad Abas, Andrรฉ-Claude Boudreau, Christophe Chapados, Franz Benji, Charles Labrie, Norbert Denis-Blais, Rachel Accolas โ Wipe me away
- Jordan Carroll โ Love Undone
- Lee Stapleton โ Sky Tower
- Norbert Denis-Blais, Patrice Arsenault, Alexandre Boucher, Auguste Lapensรฉe, Jรฉrรฉmy Scoulsky, Franz Benji โ Summer Campย
Outstanding Achievement in Editingย
- Marina Zimina โ Moversย (WINNER)
- Hayley Karl โ Good morning Cuomoย
- Cassie Carlyle โ The Powers That Be
- Josef Cunningham and Jordan Pring (VFX) โ Wispy
- Spider Chambers โ Second Team
Outstanding Achievement in Soundย
- Alexey Sinitsyn, Andrey Umnikov โ Superposition (WINNER)
- Franรงois Del Fante, Mark L. Brock, Antoine Beauchamp, Jรฉrรดme Chรฉnard, Samuel Fortin โ Chaotic Symphony
- Brianna Todd โ Chateau Laurier
- Georgy Lebedev โ Movers
- Jay Scala โ Rent Controlย
Outstanding Achievement in Musicย
- Caetano Veloso โ Sky Tower (WINNER)
- Shaquan Perkins (Music Supervisor) โ Love Undone
- Raphaรซl Lรฉveillรฉย โ Les Mal-Aimants
- Sydney Alexandria, Jordyn Rene Randall, Ryan K Dunston โ STICKS
- Maxime Fortin โ Summer Camp
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematographyย
- Gregoire Auborg โ Sky Tower (WINNER)
- Bart Cortright โ Alpha/Beta
- Robert E. Arnold โ Benny and James
- Kirill Holdin โ Movers
- Arthur Cooper โ Chateau Laurier
Outstanding Achievement in Writing
- Luke Goodall and Marc Gallagher โ The Followers (WINNER)
- Nick Melin, Ian Isaacs, Vidya Rajan, Nina Oyama, Deirdre Fidge โ Monologueย
- Brian Padian โ Man of La Mansionย
- Lisa Jill Anderson, Ahsan Ali, & Stephen Brown โ Legit Married
- Tom Little โ Donโt overthink it
Best Original Conceptย
- Unlicensed & Unstoppable โ Jordan Smith (WINNER)
- Illuminagents โ Herman Wangย
- Movers โ Alexander Ershov
- Revenge of the Black Best Friend โ Amanda Parris
- Superposition โ Vadim Valiullin
Best Supporting Actress
- Ming-Zhu Hii โ Wispy (WINNER)
- Samantha Jones โ A Short tutorialย
- Justine Clarke โ With Grace, amazing Grace series 3
- Wonjung Kim โ The Powers That Be
- Sarah-Maxine Rozefort โ Wipe me away
Best Supporting Actorย
- Emmanuel Kabongo โ Chateau Laurier (WINNER)
- Ben Wood โ With Grace, amazing Grace series 3
- Rishi Varma โ The Powers That Be
- Jean-Nicolas Verreault โ Wipe me away
- David Sitler โ A Short Tutorial
Best Mystery/Suspenseย
- Summer Camp โ Marjorie Armstrong, Philippe-A. Allard, Marco Frascarelli, Mathieu Paiement, Babel films (WINNER)
- Illuminagents โ Herman Wang, Herman Wang productions
- The Hunted: NYCSS โ Kaitlyn Farley, Danielle Joy, Jared Kirby, Sophie Moshofsky, Fight The Good Fight Productions
- The Powers That Be โ Ricky Kapoor, Rocco Gallimbeni
- Movers โ Alexander Ershov, Olga Volodina, Elena Kotunova, Elena Afanasyeva, Akvilon media
- Superposition โ Vadim Valiullin, Dmitry Tshcherbanov, Andrey Shishkanov, Denis Ryabtsev, Alexandra Tretyakova, Mikhail Kukushkin, Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Vlasov, Yasher Pictures
Best Dramaย
- Love Undone โ Joseph Goncalves, Sonya Joyner, James McGruder, Ron Artis Jr., jgproductions (WINNER)
- Chateau Laurier โ James Stewart, Kent Staines, Emily Weedon, Geneva Film co.
- With Grace, amazing Grace series 3 โ Julie Money, Georgina Connellย Grace Truman, TruMoney Films
- Wipe me away โ Eric Piccoli, Babel films
- Sky Tower โ Roberto Nascimento, Rebels & Robots
Best Comedy
- Donโt overthink It โ Tom Little, Benjamin Sutton, Charlie Dinkin, Daddyโs Superyacht Productions (WINNER)
- Chaotic Symphony โ Lysandre Mรฉnard and Daphnรฉe Cรดtรฉ-Hallรฉ, Emilie Beaulieu, Sarah Chรขtelain, Echo Media
- Monologue โ Nick Melin, Jim Wright, Elise Trenorden, Emma Roberts, Truce Films
- The Followers โ Luke Goodall, Marc Gallagher, Jess Pearce, Goodall and Gallagher
- STICKS โ Jordyn Rene Randall, Armando Ortiz, Sydney Alexandria, Ryan K Dunston, Visual Glass productions
Dynamic Duoย
- Lysandre Mรฉnard/Daphnee Cรดtรฉ-Hallรฉ โ Chaotic Symphonyย (WINNER)
- Phillip James Brannon/Calvin Leon Smith โ Benny and James
- Tom Little/Jain Edwards โ Donโt overthink it
- Francia Raisa/Danielle Savre โ Second Teamย
- Danil Steklov/Philip Ershov โ Movers
Ensemble Castย
- Akil Jackson, Catfish Jean, Sally Brooks, Chester Lockhart, Melissa Greenspan, Alexander True โ Second Team (WINNER)
- Joe Dekkers-Reihana, Ben Porter, Uhyoung Choi, Deanna Chiang, Elizabeth Thomson, Josh Thomson, Roberto Nascimento โ Sky Tower
- Lou Manthy, Ace Adom, Malik Henry, Dwayne Savid โ STICKS
- Dounia Ouirzane, Zakary Mรฉthot, Lรฉo Nault, Iani Bรฉdard, Phara Thibault, Kelly Depeault, Evelyne Laferriรจre โ Summer Camp
- Charlee-Ann Paul, Malik Gervais-Aubourg, Sarah-Maxine Racist, Julie Perreault, Jean-Nicolas Verreault, Schelby Jean-Baptiste, Anglesh Major โ Wipe me away
Best Host/Solo Performanceย
- Jack Maxwellย โ Spirit Quest with Jack Maxwellย (WINNER)
- Reginald K. Butters โ Man of La Mansion
- Marina di Marzo โ Whala Whala: An Italian Dad Talk Showย
Special Guest Starย
- Young Mazino โ Drama High (WINNER)
- Sammy Hagar โ Spirit Quest with Jack Maxwell
- Berto Colon โ Alpha/Beta
- Andrea Lewis โ Revenge of the Black Best Friend
- Dwain Murphy โ Revenge of the Black Best Friend
Best Actress โ Shortsย
- Lisa Jill Anderson โ Legit Marriedย (WINNER)
- Kerri Romeo โ A Short Tutorialย
- Leven Rambin โ Alpha/Beta
- Lenka Olลกanovรก โ American Ghost Hunter in Prague
- Dionne van den Berg โ Q Train
Best Actor โ Shorts
- Phillip James Brannon โ Benny and James (WINNER)
- Ahsan Ali โ Legit Married
- Carl Donnelly โ Reformedย
- Rick Younger โ Rick Younger Presents The Rick Younger Show Starring Rick Younger as Rick Youngerย
- Jake Bernard Buckner โ American Ghost Hunterย in Prague
Best Actress โ Seriesย
- Tiffany Montambault โ Les Mal-Aimants (WINNER)
- Kate Ross Leckie โ Chateau Laurier
- Emily Taheny โ Monologueย
- Olunike Adeliyi โ Revenge of the Black Best Friend
- CT Marie โ Rent Control
Best Actorย
- Josรฉ de Abreu โ Sky Tower (WINNER)
- Jean-Alexandre Lรฉtourneau โ Les Mal-Aimants
- Danil Steklov โ Movers
- Tom Little โ Donโt overthink itย
- Sanskar Agarwal โ The Powers That Be
Best Foreign Languageย
- Sky Tower โ Roberto Nascimento, Rebels & Robots (WINNER)
- Movers โ Alexander Ershov, Olga Volodina, Elena Kotunova, Elena Afanasyeva, Akvilon media
- Chaotic Symphony โ Lysandre Mรฉnard and Daphnรฉe Cรดtรฉ-Hallรฉ, รcho Mรฉdia, Emilie Beaulieu, Sarah Chรขtelain
- Summer Camp โ Marjorie Armstrong, Philippe-A. Allard, Marco Frascarelli, Mathieu Paiement, Babel Films
- Wipe me away โ Eric Piccoli Philippe-A. Allard, Marco Frascarelli, Mathieu Paiement,ย Babel Films
Best Internationalย
- Chateau Laurier โ James Stewart, Kent Staines, Emily Weedon, Geneva Film co (WINNER)
- The Followers โ Luke Goodall, Marc Gallagher, Goodall & Gallagher
- Revenge of the Black Best Friend โ Amanda Parris, RBBF inc
- Monologue โ Nick Melin, Truce Films
- With Grace, amazing Grace series 3 โ Julie Money, Georgina Connellย Grace Truman, TruMoney Films
Best Short Filmย
- Benny and James โ Logan Vaughn, Ria Pavia, Laurie Bernhard, Mayon Denton, Robert E. Arnold (WINNER)
- Reformed โ Michael Bateson-Hill,ย Aaron Kilkenny-Fletcher
- Second Team โ Mayon Denton, Robert E. Arnold, Julia Armine & Ria Pavia
Best Pilotย
- Rick Younger Presents The Rick Younger Show Starring Rick Younger as Rick Younger โ Neil Turitz, Rick Younger, Lalou Dammond, Joaquin Baca-Asay, Accidental Picturesย (WINNER)
- Unlicensed and Unstoppable โ Jordan Smith, Tiara Starksย
- Spirit Quest with Jack Maxwell โ Jack Maxwell, Don Billings, Sean McKnight, Tracy Trost, Meredith Thomas
- Legit Married โ Ahsan Ali, Lisa Jill Anderson, & Stephen Brown
- Drama High โ Jessica W Chen, Sandra Chen, LIU Brooklyn TVWS
I love NYย
- Good morning Cuomo โ Hayley Karl, Karlโs bar (WINNER)
- Rent Control โ CT Marie, Eric Doviak
- Rick Younger Presents The Rick Younger Show Starring Rick Younger as Rick Younger โ Neil Turitz, Rick Younger, Lalou Dammond, Joaquin Baca-Asay, Accidental Pictures
- Q Train โ Dionne van den Berg & Samantha Tran, Fountain Avenue Productions
- Legit Married โ Ahsan Ali, Lisa Jill Anderson, & Stephen Brown
Best Directorย
- Logan Vaugh โ Benny and Jamesย (WINNER)
- Misha Calvert, Leven Rambin โ Alpha/Betaย
- Zoรฉ Tremblay-Bianco โ Les Mal-Aimants
- Ria Pavia โ Second Team
- Roberto Nascimento โ Sky Towerย
Best Web Series
- Les Mal-Aimants โ Mรฉlodie Bujold-Henri, Lou Bรฉlanger, Marieme Ndiaye, Rafael Perez, Productions ST Laurent Web (WINNER)
- Rent Control โ CT Marie, Eric Doviak
- Monologue โ Nick Melin, Jim Wright, Elise Trenorden, Emma Roberts, Nick Melin, Truce Films
- Sky Tower โ Roberto Nascimento, Rebels & Robots
- The Followers โ Luke Goodall, Marc Gallagher, Goodall & Gallagher
For more information about check out the NYC Web Fest official website. You can check out the list of the 36 official selections of the NYCWF by clicking here. You can also watch all the Creator Conversations from the NYC Web Fest 2023 in the playlist video below.
As the curtain fell on the 10th Annual NYC Web Fest, Founder Lauren Atkins reflected on the positive experience at The Producerโs Club, announcing the decision to return for the 11th edition in 2024. The festival will take place from November 8 to 10, once again in the heart of New York City. With submissions opening on May 1, 2024, the NYC Web Fest continues to be a beacon for emerging talent in the digital storytelling landscape.