Press Release

PHILADELPHIA, PA, November 2, 2023 – The Philadelphia Film Society is proud to announce the award winners for the 32nd Philadelphia Film Festival, including the coveted Best Feature Award for FOUR DAUGHTERS directed by Kaouther Ben Hania. 

This year continued the Festival tradition of highlighting the best of film from around the world. The 10-day event featured more than 90 features and 26 shorts from over 30 countries. The lineup included the World Premiere of BAD THINGS HAPPEN IN PHILADELPHIA, over 75 Philadelphia Premieres including award winning titles AMERICAN SYMPHONY, FOUR DAUGHTERS, RUSTIN, and SILVER DOLLAR ROAD, 3 extraordinary shorts programs, and so much more that allowed audiences to indulge in film from October 19 - 29 of this year. 

"We are beyond excited to continue bringing this festival to Philadelphia for years to come, showcasing the best of cinema, fostering a vibrant community, and celebrating the power of storytelling.The incredible turnout and positive feedback from our audience is a testament to the passion and enthusiasm for film in this city,” said Andrew Greenblatt, CEO and Executive Director of the Philadelphia Film Society. “We congratulate the 32nd Philadelphia Film Festival Award winning titles and thank them for reminding us of the transformative power of cinema. We invite audiences to celebrate these visionaries, as they continue to shape the landscape of the film industry, one captivating narrative at a time.” 

32nd Philadelphia Film Festival Award Winners

BEST FEATURE

Winner - Four Daughters, dir. Kaouther Ben Hania

Honorable Mention - Robot Dreams, dir. Pablo Berger

Honorable Mention for Best Actor - Naíma Sentíes, Totem, dir. Lila Avilés

PINKENSON AWARD FOR BEST LOCAL FEATURE 

Winner - Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia, dir. Kyra Knox 

Honorable Mention - I Think I’m Sick, dir. Danny Gevirtz

PINKENSON AWARD FOR BEST LOCAL SHORT 

Winner - Untitled Floating Mom Short, dir. Aidan Guynes

Honorable Mention - Nothing Left Undone: The Art of G, dir. Matthew Ober

STUDENT CHOICE AWARD

Selected by youth in the Festival Field Trip Program

Winner - Silver Dollar Road, dir. Raoul Peck

LOCAL AUDIENCE AWARD

Selected by PFF32 audiences 

Winner- Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia, dir. Kyra Knox 

NARRATIVE FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

Winner- Rustin, dir. George C. Wolfe

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE AUDIENCE AWARD

Winner- American Symphony, dir. Matthew Heineman

FILMADELPHIA AUDIENCE AWARD

Winner- Bad Things Happen in Philadelphia, dir. Kyra Knox 

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ABOUT PHILADELPHIA FILM SOCIETY

Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) creates opportunities for diverse communities to experience film through initiatives that inspire, educate, challenge, and entertain. A nonprofit organization that is the region’s foremost resource for film presentation and education, PFS is committed to presenting film as a powerful medium for artistic expression, a transformative force, and a catalyst for strengthening community. As the producer of the Philadelphia Film Festival and creative force behind the Philadelphia Film Center and PFS Bourse Theater, PFS raises awareness of film as an important art form in Philadelphia, and serves as a vital piece of the city’s arts and culture community. For more information, visit Filmadelphia.org.

ABOUT PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL

Every October, the Philadelphia Film Society hosts the Philadelphia Film Festival which gathers more than 25,000 film lovers and scores of talented filmmakers for ten exceptional days of cinematic splendor. Throughout the year, the Philadelphia Film Society’s artistic team scours the world’s most prestigious film festivals - from Sundance to Berlin, Cannes to Toronto - for the year’s most highly-anticipated, critically-acclaimed, and thought- provoking films. The Festival presents these films alongside exclusive events with actors, directors, and industry guests; VIP receptions; and much more that highlights Philadelphia as a place where film is flourishing.

As a world-class film festival, PFF represents a major contribution to the cultural life of the city and region. It presents, on average, more than 100 films, draws industry guests and panelists, and fosters an interactive community of film professionals and supporters. By presenting and designing programs with a variety of partners, PFS is able to create opportunities that reduce barriers to interacting with film, attracting new audiences to PFS and the film community at large.