BZN International Film Festival is proud to
annouce its 2022 Award Winners!

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BZN EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

TRIBAL WATERS

Directed by: Jon Klaczkiewicz

The Shoshone people have lived on the eastern slope of the Wind River mountains for more than 10,000 years—this water runs deep for them. They pray alongside the river. They pray for the river. They pray with the river. But what happens when your river is highjacked by a ruthless system that would stop at nothing to control the resource?

BZN FESTIVAL 1ST PLACE AWARD

HOMESTEAD

Directed by: Skye Grace Bennett

When renowned painter Tessa Smith returns home to her Montana muse, she must also face her past. Now an established artist due to her depictions of the American West, she is forced to reconcile her outward success with the very land and relationships that made her.

BZN HIGHEST RECOGNITION SHORT FILM AWARD

WHAT I KNEW HE COULD BE

Directed by: Preston Taylor

Damien (Devenaire), a man riddled with grief and remorse from the loss of his brother Darius (A.J. Ware), seeks help at a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in the city. Mason (Sky Crystal), a patron of the N.A. group, attempts to befriend Damien. What begins as a casual evening quickly turns into an emotional revelation that forces both men to re-evaluate their past selves & addictions.

BZN BEST IN TRADITIONS AWARD

YUPIIT: EYE OF BOTH WORLDS

Directed by: Stephanie Alton

In a remote village in Alaska, local singer/songwriter Byron Nicholai engages a new generation of Yupik natives using rap and beatboxing. Retelling traditional stories, he is helping young people forge a stronger connection to their cultural heritage and values, including music and dance, subsistence hunting, and protection of the environment. These lessons are now passed down by Nicholai.