2026 Festival Award Winners
Makeup & Medicine
Director: Gabriyèl BarlatierWhen all hell breaks loose" is a powerful statement, and in the case of this story, it is indeed an accurate description of what happens when Stephanie, a first-generation Haitian-American, decides to become a makeup artist after facing multiple rejections from medical school.
Stephanie's mother, who has always placed a high value on academic success, sees her pursuit of makeup as a waste of time and talent and worries that it will disgrace the family.
Despite the challenges, Stephanie perseveres, pouring her heart and soul into her makeup artistry. Her mother begins to see the value in her work and the talent that she possesses. She comes to realize that her pursuit of makeup is not a rejection of her Haitian heritage or her family's values, but rather an expression of her unique creativity and passion.
El Campo
Director: Adriana BarrosEl Campo is a heartfelt portrait of a father, the land he owns, and the journey he took to build a future for his family. After immigrating to the United States from Ecuador, he worked tirelessly to purchase el campo, a place where generations of the family can gather, celebrate, and create memories together. Through intimate storytelling, Barros explores the meaning of land, family, sacrifice, and legacy, as her father hopes to one day pass this special place on to his daughters.
An immigrant mother emerges as a community leader during the historic campaign to end the sharing of the Philadelphia police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Expanding Sanctuary tells a rarely told story about a Latinx immigrant community’s successful journey to change legislation and protect families.
Director: Kristal SotomayorExpanding Sanctuary
Tell Me When You Get Home
Director: Tshay MeadeDuring a reggae house party, 15-year-old Honest Cardamom encounters the spirit of a lost loved one.
The Suitcase
Director: Stephann Dieujuste
Two good friends Tim & Alan decided to go on a run, which changes their lives for the worse. Based off the Haitian phrase "Don't touch what's not yours or else."