PAST RSFF WINNERS
RSFF16
cool (2025)
Nerdy high schooler Lenny is content living under the radar with his best friend by his side. When he discovers sunglasses that magically make him the coolest guy in school, he gets caught up in his newfound popularity, only to realize he might be leaving behind what really matters.
Best Picture: Hali Orefice for "Cool"
Best Acting: Nicholas Yi for "Bird"
Best Screenplay: Hali Orefice for "Cool"
Best Directing: Azriel (Zinuo) Zhang for "Violet"
Best Editing: Sarah Breck for "Little One"
Best Cinematography: Liam Zieg for "A Part of Me"
Audience Choice Award: Nicholas Yi for "Bird"
Impact Award: Liam Zieg for "A Part of Me"
RSFF15
DISCONNECTED (2024)
When a group of friends living in 1987 get a taste of technology, will they become more connected- or disconnected from themselves and the rest of the world?
Best Picture: Hali Orefice for "Disconnected"
Best Acting: Hali Orefice for "Disconnected"
Best Screenplay: Hali Orefice for "Disconnected"
Best Directing: Sophie Kairis for "When a Fire
Starts to Burn"
Best Editing: Hali Orefice for "Disconnected"
Best Cinematography: Sophie Kairis for "When a Fire
Starts to Burn"
Audience Choice Award: Hali Orefice for "Disconnected"
Impact Award: Annika Huckeba & Sydney Jean-Simon
for "Hidden Joy"
RSFF14
LOOPED!
(2023)
Ari, stressed in the midst of figuring out what her life will look like after college, believes that all she needs is more time......
Best Picture: Hali Orefice for "Looped!"
Best Acting: Emily Watson for "Brother"
Best Screenplay: Hali Orefice for "Looped!"
Best Directing: Hali Orefice for "Looped!"
Best Editing: Hali Orefice for "Looped!"
Best Cinematography: Matthew Hamm for "Sweet Brother
What Have You Done"
Audience Choice Award: Cat Masterson for "Love Doctor"
Timeless Award: Georgia Zanca for "Hi, This is Georgia."
RSFF13
NAI NAI
(2022)
A young Chinese American adult travels across the country to rekindle a fractured relationship.....
Best Picture: Gabbatha Hall for "Nai Nai”​
Best Screenplay: Jake Kim for "Nai Nai”
Best Directing: Gabbatha Hall for "Nai Nai”
Best Cinematography: Kelly Needleman for "Last Call On Sunset"
Best Editing: Dane Bruhahn and Christina Buravtsova for
"Finding Empathy: A Glimpse Into the Life of
a Paralyzed Surfer"
RSFF11
THE WATERMELON (2020)
A young man discovers friendship and life lessons in
unlikely places...
Best Picture: Taylor Mathews for "The Watermelon”​
Audience Choice: Taylor Mathews for "The Watermelon”
Best Directing: Taylor Mathews for "The Watermelon”
Best Cinematography: Orion Keen for "Self-Absorbed"
Best Editing: Valentine Douglas for "Pepper(fine)”
RSFFX
FOCUS (2019)
Focus is a drama that follows Marcus Olatunji, a college student who sells his prescription Adderall to students to pay for his schooling......
​Best Picture: Ifeanyi Ezieme for “Focus”
Audience Choice: Ifeanyi Ezieme for “Focus”
Best Cinematography: Moises Barbara for “Focus"
Best Editing: Ifeanyi Ezieme for “Focus”
RSFF9
COURAGE
(2018)
​​
Best Picture: Mallory Erwin for “Courage”
Audience Choice: Moises Barbara for “Mi Soledad”
Best Directing: Mallory Erwin for "Courage"
Best Cinematography: Gabrielle Norte for “The Wounded Healer"
Best Original Screenplay: Mallory Erwin for “Courage”
Best Editing: Mallory Erwin for “Courage”
Best Original Score: Jasmine Burkett for “Premonition”
RSFF8
DESARRAIGADO(2017)
Best Picture: Moises Barba for “Desarraigado”
Audience Choice: Moises Barba for “Desarraigado”
Best Directing: Isabella Issa for "Night Lights"
Best Cinematography: April Rock for “Night Lights”
Best Original Screenplay: Isabella Issa for “Parallels”
Best Editing: Briana Chmielewski for “Night Lights”
Best Original Score: Nyah Wilson for “Night Lights”
RSFF7
HOW FAR I WANT TO GO (2016)
Grand Prize: "How Far I Want to Go"
RSFF6
BEHIND THE FACES (2015)
Grand Prize: "Behind the Faces"
RSFF5
DEAD WEEK
(2014)
Grand Prize: Candace Lowry & Mackenna Millet for "Dead Week"
RSFF4
CURRENCY(2013)
Grand Prize: Ben Holcomb for "Currency"
RSFF3
TED'S GREAT IDEA(2013)
Grand Prize: David Chang for "Ted's Great Idea"
RSFF2
ELEVEN ELEVEN
(2011)
Grand Prize: Austin Chapman for "Eleven Eleven"
