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| Cotton Fever won the US Narrative Competition Photo: Courtesy of Tribeca Festival |
Marcel Ruiz, Paolo Schoene, and Kiki Montilla earned Best Performance in a US Narrative Feature for Summer of Three, while Christopher Angatookalook received Best Performance in an International Narrative Feature for Labrador – Autopsy of Silence, which also took home the Best Cinematography prize for Mathieu Laverdière.
"This year's award winners embody the spirit of Tribeca: fearless work that crosses borders, expands the form, and reveals the power of storytelling to uncover humanity in unexpected places,” said Festival Director and SVP of Programming Cara Cusumano. “As we celebrate our 25th year, these artists remind us that powerful stories do more than entertain, they deepen our empathy, broaden our perspective, and bring us closer together."
Among the films winning multiple awards was Summer Of Three, directed by Carlitos Ruiz Ruiz, which also won Best Screenplay in the US Narrative section. Jail Time Records also had a double win, taking home the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director, while Cotton Fever was also garlanded for cinematography.
Winners of the Audience Award, which are determined by audience votes throughout the Festival, will be announced at a later date.
2026 Winners and Special Jury Mentions, as selected by the 2026 Festival Jury in the main films sections are below.
US Narrative Competition
● Best Feature: Cotton Fever, Director Daniel Blake Schwartz (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film is a well-crafted, well-told, heartbreaking exploration of addiction and the difficulties of escaping its damaging effects. It explores a deep love in the midst of self-destruction, lack of shelter, criminality and co-dependency issues.”
● Special Jury Mention: Here I'm Alive, Director Joshua Z Weinstein (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “One film stood out for diving deep into subcultures that are rarely explored. The film creates a series of sensitive portraits of people with unique points of view – alienation, loneliness, internet addiction, looksmaxxing, and desire for instant fame.”
● Best Performance: Marcel Ruiz, Paolo Schoene, and Kiki Montilla for Summer of Three (Puerto Rico) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This entertaining film felt so lived-in. The actors are warm, charismatic, and emotionally present. We fell in love with all three actors and wanted to jump on the back of the motorcycle and careen across Puerto Rico with them.”
● Best Screenplay: Carlitos Ruiz-Ruiz, Marcel Ruiz, and Mariana S. Belaval for Summer of Three (Puerto Rico) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film manages to be equal parts soulful and entertaining even as it explores deep themes of cultural identity, friendship, family, forgiveness, mortality, tragedy, and grief.”
● Best Cinematography: Tom Acton Fitzgerald for Cotton Fever (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In a film full of deep emotions, the cinematography was naturalistic, gritty, and ultimately poetic. It invites the audience to experience a painterly version of harsh reality.”
International Narrative Competition
● Best Feature: Labrador – Autopsy of Silence, Director Rodrigue Jean (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “An intriguing film that unanimously rose to the top. It is confidently crafted, spiritually mindful, and touched us deeply while immersing us in its haunting story and unique world.”
● Best Performance: Christopher Angatookalook for Labrador – Autopsy of Silence (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “His soulful portrayal of emotional solitude blew us away and we imagine this award is just one of many to come.”
●Special Jury Mention for Best Performance: Duda Santos & Mc Nem for Funk (Brazil) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Two actresses who impressed us with their incredible energy and dynamism in a film that shows a fresh side of favelas on screen, by way of music and dance. And a special shout out to their costumes, too!”
●Best Screenplay: Alex Camilleri for Zejtune (Malta, Germany, Qatar) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “A film about reclaiming, reconnection, and preserving history as well as music. Not only did the writing manage to pull us into a world we on the jury hadn’t been before but it supported the brilliant performances of its leads and allowed them to shine.”
●Best Cinematography in an International Narrative Feature: Mathieu Laverdière for Labrador – Autopsy of Silence (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A film whose imagery convinced us we, too, were aboard a claustrophobic cargo freighter out on the vast, frigid ocean. His lens deftly managed the contrast between these stark cold environs and the warmth behind the eyes of its breakout performer.”
Documentary Competition
● Best Feature: Jail Time Records, Directors Dione Roach and Steve Happi (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Every so often a captivating, unexpected film comes out of the blue that simply demands to be seen, and this one is truly unforgettable. This film is the jaw-dropping story of a music recording studio built within the confines of an overcrowded prison in Cameroon, Central Africa, that gives incarcerated individuals an outlet for creative expression. The film is an undeniable statement about the transformational power of music, as we witness young artists find their voices under the most improbable circumstances. The stunning cinematography, remarkable intimacy, and bravura formal execution of the film are incredible to behold, to say nothing of the music itself, which is absolutely banging. This film is a cry to be heard from the depths of incarceration, and we are listening.”
● Special Jury Mention: Time Warp, Director Allison Berg (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In a film that is both propulsive, hopeful, irreverent, and heartbreaking, a small, conservative town rallies around the dreams of its youth to bring an LGBTQ theater performance to life. The intimacy, care and skill shown in the craft make this the film the world needs to see right now - a film about radical love, community and the courage of the LGBTQ+ community against tremendous odds.”
● Best Cinematography: Dione Roach, Urberto Rapisardi, and Steve Happi for Jail Time Records (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “The cinematography in this film is vivid and stunning, characterised by fluid camerawork that effortlessly glides around a dynamic, chaotic environment with balletic precision and style to burn. There are sequences throughout the film that seem nearly impossible to have captured, providing a rich palette that matches the incredible energy and creativity of its subjects.”
● Special Jury Mention for Best Cinematography: Lukas Gut for Siege of Paradise (Ireland, Switzerland) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In this film, set on a pristine coast of a small town overwhelmed by tourism, the cinematography is our guide. The serious message of change and time leaving behind culture and tradition is handled lightly but impactfully, denoting a location where time is both the hero and the villain. The beautifully framed camera work transports the viewer to this gorgeous vista, immersing us in the sights, colors and textures of this timeless place, now under threat.”
● Best Editing: Rebecca Adorno and Viridiana Lieberman for Jean-Michel (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A devastating portrait of a brilliant artist that explores the complexity of the person behind his art, expertly putting his extraordinary body of work into context and unveiling the mind of a haunted genius. The pacing and nuanced editing echo and mirror the intense psychology of his paintings.”
● Special Jury Mention for Best Editing: Christopher A Peterson and Peter Norrey for American Zoo (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A searing account of an idyllic, joyful community space with a dark secret, the craft of editing weaves together a complex, dramatic, historical narrative from found, archival, shot footage and interviews. The result is a film both gripping and heartbreaking which stays with the viewer long after.”
Viewpoints Award
● Crocodile, Director The Critics and Pietra Brettkelly (Nigeria, New Zealand) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film beautifully captures both the courage and perseverance required to be an artist, illuminating the risks, sacrifices, and unwavering belief it takes to pursue one's dreams. Through their work, these remarkable young filmmakers remind us that the arts are not simply a means of expression, but a way of living truthfully and authentically in the world. Drawing from both dreams and reality, they created something joyful, inventive, and deeply original—a work that delights the imagination while speaking to the power of creativity itself. What moved us most was the extraordinary maturity, generosity of spirit, and sense of possibility that shines through every frame. In celebrating the transformative power of art, this team crafted a film that inspired, surprised, and filled us with hope.”
● Special Jury Mention: Sarah Karei for One Woman One Bra (Kenya, Nigeria) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “One of the most heartbreaking and powerful performances we have seen in some time. This actress astonishes as a woman who has been abandoned by her family and community and stands alone in a world that has turned its back on her.”
Best New Narrative Director Award
● Miiku Sakanishi for Memorizu (Japan) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This is a film about the ability to create an extraordinary depth of pure emotion through images and how they meet. This is also the great gift he bestows on the audience. From the very first shots, we are taken in by an unpretentious filmmaker completely clear in his intention, someone who trusts both himself and us. He bravely tells a small, precise story, taking risks in narrative, rhythm, and voice in order to achieve something cinematic, capacious and lasting. This is coupled by beautiful writing that deeply understands both the family condition he is observing so intimately and the society within which the story is set. This director has made something completely modern and devoid of cliché, taking us to the heart of the matter. Watching the movie, we all felt, ‘Let me have a life where I can receive these feelings.’”
●Special Jury Mention: Elisee Junior St. Preux for The Tropic Sun and His Eyes (Haiti) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This selection is a ravishing portrait of three things at once: our troubled main character, his beautiful new friendship with a younger boy, and the island of Haiti itself. It is this last depiction that moved us deeply. With the pulse of cinema, inventive shooting, and the guidance of two well-drawn characters, we understood the feeling of the Haitian sun on our backs.”
Albert Maysles Award
● Dione Roach and Steve Happi for Jail Time Records (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “For a filmmaker, access is everything — but the craft is what we do with it. This film reminds us that documentary starts with humanity and takes us on a journey to discover a new world. The film expertly articulates how to tell a story using every tool of our craft, leaving no tool unused. The visuals, the sound, and the restraint are all put to work with precision and intention. It makes clear that artistry and humanity can flourish from the most unexpected places and from the deepest corners. It is a feat of verité documentary filmmaking and a force of storytelling.”
● Special Jury Mention: Natalie Baszile and Hyacinth Parker for Harvest (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This award goes to a film that introduced us to a story that impacts us all in ways we wouldn't necessarily expect. It made us fall in love with its participants in the most intimate way. Documentaries can tell a story with a beauty we would never have discovered on our own. It humanizes a topic we so often miss, hidden in plain view. We feel lucky to have spent time with these people—and we are better for having walked alongside them.”
Nora Ephron Award
The Nora Ephron Award will honor an exceptional female filmmaker who represents the spirit and vision of the filmmaker and writer.
● Dina Duma for Skateboarding Is Not for Girls (North Macedonia, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Nora Ephron represents why having a distinct femme voice within a patriarchal world can open the door for so many others. Ephron’s work often asked the question: how do women survive in a hostile world? Our selection for the winner of this award answers that question in many ways. This film is at once lyrical and political, touching and authentic, heart-breaking and heart-warming, while also being infused with joy and humor. By giving a voice to the voiceless, Dina Duma invites us into a distinct, deeply human experience by offering audiences specific characters that celebrate solidarity and family.”
Shorts Competition
● Best Narrative Short: 32B, Director Mohamed Taher (Egypt) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Both expansive and specific in its storytelling, with a driving narrative and palpable emotion, this father-daughter love story is a love story itself to pushing through discomfort to show up when a child needs you.”
● Special Jury Mention, Narrative Short: So, Boom, Director Abby Pierce (United States) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “As with the best of the genre, this comedy is charged by genuine stakes — all with a realism that can only be achieved by a storyteller drawing from their personal experience.”
● Best Documentary Short: Listen, Director Taliesin Black Brown (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Aptly titled, our selection for Best Documentary Short is a technical masterpiece. It expertly uses the marriage of arresting sound design and beautiful cinematography to force the viewer to stop, listen, and consider our mortality and relationship with the natural world. The dedication to craftsmanship without sacrificing a personal and heartful narrative elevates it into reverberating far beyond its runtime.”
● Special Jury Mention, Documentary Short: The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Directors Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry (United States) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “A documentary short that is highly engaging and excellently made, bringing an under-sung civil rights icon into a much-deserved spotlight. The mixed-format use of animation and dynamic editing elevate the viewing experience, while the interviews with the late Dr. Clarence B Jones, a natural storyteller, are gripping all on their own.”
● Best Animated Short: Violet and Marlowe Rob a Bank, Director Wesley Wang (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Compact even for a short, this action-packed 3-minute film conveys a complete and heartbreaking story about the oppressed making their own rules — all while barely saying a word.”
● Special Jury Mention, Animated Short: Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, Director Andrea Szelesová (Czech Republic, Slovakia) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “Sweeping and grand in its ambitions, this short takes on a tall order: quickly establishing a full world that dances from one group of characters to the next as it oscillates from action to emotion — all while remaining centered on the film’s beating heart, a young protagonist finding his place in the world (or heavens, more accurately).”
● Best New York Short: Insufficient Fare, Directors Michael Gugger and Varvara Kanellakopoulou (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “The jury’s selection for the inaugural Best New York Short captures the texture, humor, and spirit of New York City through an object that has quietly witnessed generations of city life. Both funny and nostalgic, the film celebrates the beloved MetroCard while acknowledging a city that is constantly evolving. ”
● Best Music Video: “Fingers Crossed” – The Moth & The Flame, Director Rebecca Thomas (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Represents an ideal marriage of sound and image, each elevating the other to create a portrait of optimism in the face of uncertainty. The director provides a high-energy visual experience that reflects the hopefulness of The Moth & The Flame’s song, while leaving space for thematic interpretation by the viewer.”
● Student Visionary Award: Found&Lost, Director Reza Rasouli (Austria) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “Within the first moments of this film, the director’s command of visual language is unmistakable. The ability to convey the high stakes of Syrian immigrants’ experience in Austria through the details and rhythms of everyday life is emotionally gripping. The use of music to inject moments of levity into the story’s tension is particularly effective, creating a layered emotional balance without diminishing the stakes.”
