The 32nd Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) has officially unveiled its 2024 winners.
The festival, which took place from October 4 through October 14, marked the U.S. premiere of John Crowley’s “We Live in Time,” with screenings of “Nightbitch,” “A Real Pain,” “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” and R.J. Cutler’s Martha Stewart Netflix documentary “Martha” among the acclaimed features.
Now, IndieWire can exclusively announce the films that the HIFF jury and audience members selected for the top awards. “Armand,” also Norway’s 2025 Oscar submission, won the HIFF Award for Best Narrative Feature. “Armand” stars “A Different Man” and “Worst Person in the World” breakout Renate Reinsve as a mother of a seemingly disturbed six-year-old; the film debuted at Cannes before screening at HIFF. “Armand” is directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, the grandson of Liv Ullmann and Ingmar Bergman. IFC Films has U.S. distribution rights for “Armand.”
“’Armand’ is an intense journey into the complexities of human nature,” narrative competition jury members Joanna Arnow, Wyatt Cenac, and Genevieve Villaflor said in a joint statement. “Halfdan Ullman Tøndel has skillfully crafted a narrative that grips you from start to finish, featuring Renate Reinsve in a stunning performance that lingers long after viewing. We are delighted to present Armand with the Best Narrative Feature award, celebrating its bold exploration of accountability and the tumultuous path to redemption.”
The film received a $2,500 cash prize and $72,500 in in-kind goods and services, as sponsored by Panavision, Hamptons Locations, and On Location Education.
The HIFF Best Documentary Feature award went to “Viktor,” directed by Olivier Sarbil. The film received a $2,500 cash prize and $20,000 in in-kind goods and services, sponsored by GreenSlate and 91 East Productions.
“Amid a remarkable selection of documentary films this year, we are privileged to present Best Documentary Feature to Olivier Sarbil’s ‘Viktor,’” jurors Ebs Burnough, Rachel Fleit, and Tomris Laffly said. “Sarbil’s innovative approach, fusing striking black-and-white imagery with inventive sound design, adds an extraordinary depth to Viktor’s journey, inviting audiences to engage with a conflict that remains inaudible to him yet resonates powerfully through his steadfast determination. This documentary not only illuminates the resilience of the human spirit but also reveals the intricate realities faced by those on the fringes of war.”
The narrative jury awarded special jury prizes to Nicolas Keppens’ “Beautiful Men” for its “comedy, originality, and thoughtful portrayal of masculinity.” The documentary jury also recognized “Walk with Me” with a Special Jury Prize for director Heidi Levitt’s “intimacy and generosity.”
Djiby Kebe’s “L’Avance” received the Award for Best Narrative Short Film, while Jacqueline Baylon’s “Until He’s Back” won for Best Documentary Short Film. Both films received $1,000 cash prizes and will qualify for Academy Awards consideration.
As for the Audience Awards, Hamptons International Film Festival attendees selected the narrative feature “Bob Trevino Likes It,” the documentary feature “The World According to Allee Willis,” and the short film “A Swim Lesson,” which was directed by Rashida Jones and Will McCormack.
Check out the full list of awards below.
HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Feature
“Armand,” directed by Halfdan Ullman Tøndel
HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature
“Viktor,” directed by Olivier Sarbil
HIFF Best Documentary Feature Special Mention
“Walk with Me,” directed by Heidi Levitt
HIFF Award Winner for Best Narrative Short Film
“L’Avance,” directed by Djiby Kebe
HIFF Award Winner for Best Documentary Short Film
“Until He’s Back,” directed by Jacqueline Baylon
HIFF Best Narrative Short Film Special Mention
“Beautiful Men,” directed by Nicolas Keppens
HIFF Audience Award Winner for Best Narrative Feature
“Bob Trevino Likes It,” directed by Tracie Laymon
HIFF Audience Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature
“The World According to Allee Willis,” directed by Alexis Spraic
HIFF Audience Award Winner for Best Short Film
“A Swim Lesson,” directed by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack
The Peter Macgregor-Scott Memorial Award
“Jane Austen’s Period Drama,” directed by Julia Aks and Steve Pinder
The 2024 Brizzolara Family Foundation Award to Films of Conflict and Resolution
“Antidote,” directed by James Jones
Victor Rabinowitz and Joanne Grant Award for Social Justice
“I’m Your Venus,” directed by Kimberly Reed
The Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award
“Checkpoint Zoo,” directed by Joshua Zeman
Suffolk County Next Exposure Grant
“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point,” directed by Tyler Taormina
The Sherzum Award
“A Nice Indian Boy,” directed by Roshan Sethi
“Sabbath Queen,” directed by Sandi DuBowski
New York Women in Film & Television Award for Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking
“Bob Trevino Likes It,” Tracie Laymon
New York Women in Film & Television Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking
“The Last Women of the Sea,” Sue Kim
University Short Film Awards
“Praeis,” directed by Dovydas Drakšas (London Film School)
“Tornado,” directed by Jack Kendrick (NYU)
“Bug Diner,” directed by Phoebe Jane Hart (California Institute of the Arts)
“My Morning,” directed by Liav Tamuz (Minshar School for Art, Israel)
“The Truck,” directed by Elizabeth Rao (NYU)
Previously Announced Awards:
Career Achievement in Acting Award
Demi Moore
Dick Cavett Artistic Champion Award
Liev Schreiber
Breakthrough Performer Award
Clarence Maclin
Breakthrough Director Award
Malcolm Washington
Achievement in Screenwriting Award
Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein
