The 11th annual NYC Web Fest concluded its vibrant weekend of screenings, panels, and celebrations, by crowning the NYC Web Fest 2024 award winners. Held at The Producers Club in Manhattan from November 15-17, 2024, the festival brought together creators, filmmakers, and fans from across the globe, showcasing the best in digital storytelling.
NYC Web Fest 2024
A Festival of Firsts and Innovation
With 31 exceptional projects on display, the NYC Web Fest celebrated diversity and creativity in digital media. Highlights included the world premieres of Transmission from Cape Town and Nothing Bad Ever Happens from Los Angeles, alongside screenings of dramas, comedies, and experimental works.
Festival founder Lauren Atkins, who participated virtually this year, has been the driving force behind NYC Web Fest since its inception. Her vision to celebrate and uplift the creators of web series, short films, and pilots has made the festival a cornerstone for independent digital storytelling. Lauren Atkins, a filmmaker herself, brings a deep understanding of the challenges and triumphs within the industry, ensuring that NYC Web Fest remains both an inspiring and supportive platform for emerging and established talent alike. Despite participating virtually, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her team for their hard work and dedication in making this year’s event a resounding success.
“My heart was broken that I couldn’t attend this year,” said Atkins. “But I have never been so grateful for my team. Zerelda Nothnagel (VP of Programming) MelimeL (Web Designer, Graphic Designer and Panel Host) did an amazing job hosting and ensuring that everyone felt welcome. The feedback has been amazing.”
Zerelda Nothnagel and MelimeL hosted the festival, keeping the energy vibrant while fostering meaningful conversations and connections. The weekend also included panels on television development and the evolving role of film festivals, with thought-provoking contributions from jury members like Rick Younger and Jen Su, further cementing the event’s reputation as an essential hub for industry insights and networking. Six jurors were on the 2024 panel, Cylla Senii, Jen Su, P. Frank Williams, Jack Maxwell, Meredith Thomas, and Rick Younger.
On the red carpet, Charlii Sebunya hosted interviews for The Donna Drake Show on CBS New York, engaging with cast and crew from the 31 official selections as well as members of the NYC Web Fest team. Atkins also partially hosted the awards ceremony virtually, showcasing her unwavering commitment to ensuring the festival’s success and highlighting the collaborative spirit that drives NYC Web Fest forward, even in the face of unexpected challenges.
The festival atmosphere extended beyond screenings, with an opening night party at The Pig & Whistle in Midtown Manhattan and a post-awards cocktail reception at the Brazen Tavern.
Major Winners
The festival’s biggest winners were celebrated for their outstanding contributions to digital storytelling. Future Proof from New York claimed the prestigious title of Best Web Series. Toronto’s How to Fail as a Popstar, and Montréal’s Discreet and The Meteorites also emerged as standout projects, with each securing three awards in various categories, solidifying their place as festival favourites. These projects exemplified the innovative spirit and diverse voices that continue to shape the future of web-based content.
South African producer Carolyn Carew, whose pilot Transmission won Best Pilot at NYC Web Fest, reflected on the project’s exploration of gender-based violence through a sci-fi lens. Highlighting the significance of this achievement and the collaborative effort behind it, she shared:
It’s an incredible honor to have our pilot episode premiere here at the NYC Web Fest and to have won Best Pilot. This project would not have been possible without the generous support of the NFVF Presidential Employment Stimulus Program. Your commitment to funding and supporting female-led stories is paving the way for vital narratives like ours to be realized.
Caroln Carew
Our story originates from the brilliant minds at OYA Pictures, and I’m deeply grateful to our partner companies, Frikken Films and Free Women Films—each led by powerhouse women who champion stories of substance and significance.
To our incredible team back in South Africa, thank you. From pre-production to the final cut, every cast and crew member poured their talent and heart into this project. Your generosity and passion shine through every frame. Transmission is our exploration of gender-based violence through a sci-fi lens—a story that not only examines, but reimagines, the power of women both in front of and behind the camera.
From the Festival Stage to Your Screen: NYC Web Fest Expands with Streaming Channel
The 2024 NYC Web Fest introduced an exciting new chapter with the launch of its very own streaming channel on the Footprint Network. This innovative platform will spotlight creators year-round, amplifying the festival’s mission to support diverse voices and fresh perspectives in digital storytelling.
This year’s festival also showcased the power of creativity and collaboration, drawing creators from around the world to celebrate an exceptional lineup of award-winning projects. It was a weekend that not only highlighted outstanding talent but also strengthened the global sense of community within the web series and short film industry.
NYC Web Fest 2024 Award Winners
Outstanding Achievement in Lighting
- WINNER: Dylan Young, Haider Hussaini – Near or Far
- Auguste Lapensée – La terre appelle Mathilde
- Andre St. Jules – 2GETHER 4EVER
- Frédéric Nivoix – The Meteorites
- Isabela Moreira, Camila Torres – My Exes’ Zodiac Signs
Outstanding Achievement in Editing
- WINNER: Renata Pegorer, Bruna Fortes, Lais Catalano Aranha – My Exes’ Zodiac Signs
- Marianne Boucher – La terre appelle Mathilde
- Zoé Guèvremont – Discreet
- Christopher Minns – Near or Far
- Brian Michael – Paranormal Unit
Outstanding Achievement in Sound
- WINNER: Thierry Bourgault-D’Amico, Gaël Poisson Lemay – Discreet
- Adam Killick – Space Janitors
- Arthur Hey – Paranormal Unit
- Luis Trujillo –Transmission
- Mathieu Roy – The Mediator
Outstanding Achievement in Music
- WINNER: Lorenzo Soldini – STRYX
- Hayden Warren – Upstairs
- Raffi Froundjian – Rent Control
- Pierre-Philippe Côté – Discreet
- Johnny Spence Vivek Shraya – How to Fail as I Popstar
Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
- WINNER: Thomas Fontaine – The Meteorites
- Marlon King, Kwesi Peters – Upstairs
- Pierre-Étienne Bordeleau – Vintage Heart (Coeur vintage)
- Xavier Bossé, François Herquel – La terre appelle Mathilde
- Michael Adeleke, Conor Clarke – The Roommate Contract
Outstanding Achievement in Writing
- WINNER: Amal Awad, Claire Christian, Iain Crittenden, Meg Mundell, Samuel Gebreselassie – Plausible Deniability
- Nadia Louis-Desmarchais – The Meteorites
- Joren Slaets, Renate Raman – When the Party is Over
- Andrezza Czech – My Exes’ Zodiac Signs
- Reva Grimball – Drunk Bathroom Girl
Best Original Concept
- WINNER: Drunk Bathroom Girl – Reva Grimball
- Future Proof – Bradley Tangonan, Justine Sweetman, Tessa Travis, Lacuna Films INC
- La dernière communion – Martin Henri, Béatrice Moukhaiber, Marina Khoury, Francis Corbeil-Savage, ROMEO & FILS
- The Roommate Contract – Lydia Muir
- Space Janitors – Davin Lengyel, Space Mop
Best Youth Performance
- WINNER: Heaven Jayne Fenelon Jean – The Meteorites
- Mae White – Plausible Deniability
- Anaïs Ceus – The Meteorites
- Ethan Hollingsworth – The son I (Un)Do
- Jamaal Mansaray – Manu’s brother
Best Supporting Actress
- WINNER: Ayesha Mansur Gonsalves – How to Fail as a Popstar
- Maïka Ferron – Ainsi va Manu/Hogtown Season 2
- Lynn Hagele – Swiping Right Season 2
- Édith Cochrane – Breathe In Breathe Out
- Ariane Castellanos – The Mediator
Best Supporting Actor
- WINNER: Patrick Henry Taft – Rent Control
- Ben Watts – Swiping Right Season 2
- Jeremy Tremblay – Near or Far
- Flavio Sala – STRYX
- Michele Rezzonico – STRYX
Sci-Fi/Thriller
- WINNER: Space Janitors – Davin Lengyel, Space Mop
- Closure – Joshua Charles Dawe, Joyce Northey, Abele Productions & Big Wonder & Dillon Pearce Media
- Breathe In Breathe Out – Sonia Cordeau, Katherine Levac, Jean-François Chagnon, Ian Quenneville, Patricia Blais, Monique Lamoureux
- Transmission – Carolyn Carew, Electra Hartman, Mikkie-dené Le Roux, Liese Kuhn
- Paranormal Unit – Brian Michael, Lori Roovers, Legs Production
Best Drama
- WINNER: The Meteorites – Nadia Louis-Desmarchais, Mylène Augustin, Marie Ka, Inaru Films
- Near or Far – Duana Taha, Caitlin Brown, Harlow Creative
- In A NY Minute – Phyillicia Bishop, Phil’s Productions
- Ainsi va Manu/Hogtown Season 2 – Josiane Blanc, Ania Jamila, Sahkosh Productions
- Vintage Heart (Coeur vintage) – Émilie Bibeau, Éric Lambert, Zone3
Best Comedy
- WINNER: The Mediator – Marie-Élène Grégoire, Louis-Philippe Drolet, Louis Morissette, Marie-Hélène Lebeau-Taschereau, Mélanie Viau, KOTV
- Drunk Bathroom Girl – Reva Grimball
- Future Proof – Bradley Tangonan, Justine Sweetman, Tessa Travis, Lacuna Films INC
- Rent Control – Claire Marie Torn, Lee Paul Crisci, A CT Marie Production
- How We Met Your Dave – Jesse Richards, Liam Nguyen, Greta Nash, Gillian Crosby, Gabrielle McLeod, GGG Films
Dynamic Duo
- WINNER: Eugenia Lemos, Alejandra Fosalba – Malena y Sofía, fashionistas pero nunca tanto
- Veerle Dejaeger, Nidal van Rijn – When the Party is Over
- Juliette Gosselin, Aurélia Arandi-Longpré – Discreet
- Sonia Cordeau, Virginie Fortin – Breathe in Breathe Out
- Jesse Richards and Liam Nguyen – How we met your Dave
Ensemble Cast
- WINNER: Todd A. Jackson, Leah Haile, Ethan Hollingsworth, Amari McCoy – I (Un)Do
- Connie Shi, Frances Li, Jason Amerling,Alphonse Gonzales, Sagan Chen, Lee Hubilla – Future Proof
- Naomi Ejigu, Lennox Lee, Mae White, Amir Rahimzadeh – Plausible Deniability
- Fayolle Jean, Guy Jodoin, Jean-Pierre Bergeron, Karina Aktouf – La dernière communion
- Brendan Halloran, Pat Thornton, Rong Fu, Neha Kohli, Scott Yamamura, Kris Siddiqi – Space Janitors
Special Guest Star
- WINNER: Vivek Shraya – How to Fail as a Popstar
- Amari McCoy – I (Un)Do
- David Sitler – A Short Tutorial
- Britt Migs – Drunk Bathroom Girl
- Darren Gilshenan – Plausible Deniability
Best Actress
- WINNER: Mylène Mackay – The Mediator
- Éléonore Delvaux-Beaudoin – La terre appelle Mathilde
- Kerri Romeo – A Short Tutorial
- Andrezza Czech – My Exes Zodiac Signs
- Mikkie-Dené Le Roux – Transmission
Best Actor
- WINNER: Olivier Gervais-Courchesne – Discreet
- Daniel Kim – The Roommate Contract
- Taylor Olson – 2GETHER 4EVER
- Joshua Charles Dawe – Closure
- Adrian Pavone – How to Fail as a Popstar
Best Foreign Language
- WINNER: La terre appelle Mathilde – Anthony Coveney, Martin Henri, Francis Corbeil-Savage, Félix Roberge, Jérémie Lafleur-Giasson, ROMEO & FILS
- When the Party is Over – Joren Slaets, Renate Raman, Rutger Beckers, Kris Gaens
- STRYX – Camila Koller, Thania Micheli, Alessandro Zumstein, Marco Bitonti, Kaylah Films, Over Film Productions
- Discreet – Sophia Belahmer, Juliette Gosselin, Patricia Blais, Monique Lamoureux, Ian Quenneville
- Malena y Sofía, fashionistas pero nunca tanto – Eugenia Lemos, Alejandra Fosalba, Matías Kosznik, Producciones Eugenia Lemos Spa
Best International
- WINNER: How to Fail as a Popstar – Vivek Shraya, Laura Perlmutter, Caroline Habib, Elise Cousineau, Jennifer Kawaja, Bruno Dube, Sphere Media Toronto
- 2GETHER 4EVER – Taylor Olson & Koumbie, Afro Viking Pictures Inc
- Space Janitors – Davin Lengyel, Space Mop
- Near or Far – Duana Taha, Caitlin Brown, Harlow Creative
- Closure – Joshua Charles Dawe, Erica Zulian-Dawe, Joyce Northey, Dillon Pearce
Best Short Film
- WINNER: Nothing Bad Ever Happens – Geenah Krisht, Heidi Weitzer, Good Good Films
- A Short Tutorial – Geoff Tarson, Alexandra D. Levinsohn, D. Clifford Hart, Diagonal Media, LLC
- Upstairs – David-Georges Renaud, Hayden Warren, Charisse Hardy, David Schelling, Nativroots Collective
Best Pilot
- WINNER: Transmission – Carolyn Carew, Electra Hartman, Mikkie-dené Le Roux, Liese Kuhn
- I (Un)Do – Todd A. Jackson, Roderick McCarthy
- Paranormal Unit – Episode 01 – Brian Michael, Lori Roovers, Legs Production
I love NY
- WINNER: In A NY Minute – Phyillicia Bishop, Phil’s Productions
- The Roommate Contract – Lydia Muir
- Upstairs – David-Georges Renaud, Hayden Warren, Charisse Hardy, David Schelling, Nativroots Collective
- Rent Control – Claire Marie Torn, Lee Paul Crisci, A CT Marie Production
- Future Proof – Bradley Tangonan, Justine Sweetman, Tessa Travis, Lacuna Films INC
Best Director
- WINNER: Sophia Belahmer, Juliette Gosselin – Discreet
- Victoria Thaine and Grace Feng Fang Juan – Plausible Deniability
- Josiane Blanc – Ainsi va Manu/Hogtown Season 2
- Heidi Weitzer – Nothing Bad Ever Happens
- Nicolas Jullian – Malena y Sofía, fashionistas pero nunca tanto
Best Web Series
- WINNER: Future Proof – Bradley Tangonan, Justine Sweetman, Tessa Travis, Lacuna Films INC
- Plausible Deniability – Iain Crittenden, Random Pictures
- Discreet – Sophia Belahmer, Juliette Gosselin, Patricia Blais, Monique Lamoureux, Ian Quenneville
- The Meteorites – Nadia Louis-Desmarchais, Mylène Augustin, Marie Ka
- The Mediator – Marie-Élène Grégoire, Louis-Philippe Drolet, Louis Morissette, Marie-Hélène Lebeau-Taschereau, Mélanie Viau, KOTV
The NYC Web Fest has once again proven itself as a premier platform for celebrating the art of digital storytelling, uniting creators from around the world to share their diverse voices and innovative projects. With a lineup of exceptional web series, short films, and pilots, the festival highlighted the power of storytelling to bridge cultural divides and spark important conversations. From thought-provoking dramas to lighthearted comedies, this year’s selections not only entertained but also inspired audiences to engage with the pressing issues of our time.
As the festival wraps up another unforgettable year, we congratulate all the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions to the digital space. Their work represents the very best of creativity, passion, and resilience in a rapidly evolving industry. The NYC Web Fest continues to champion fresh voices and groundbreaking narratives, and it remains a vital force in the celebration and advancement of digital media. To learn more about the festival and explore its diverse offerings, visit nycwebfest.com.
All we have to say now is… Bring on next year! We hope that the Founder, Lauren Atkins, is actually able to attend the 2025 festival and every single one after that, and we hope our own budget allows us the opportunity to take a flight and turn up at the next spectacular festival weekend. Here’s to even bigger and better celebrations of digital storytelling in the years to come!