2023 Sedona International Film Festival offered 150 films
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
“Of Medicine and Miracles,” a feature-length documentary following oncologist Dr. Carl June on his quest to find a cure for cancer, and “Farewell, Mr. Haffman,” a narrative feature set in Occupied Paris in 1941 about a thwarted attempt to escape the conflict, captured top honors at the 29th annual Sedona International Film Festival.
The eight-day festival featured more than 150 films from around the world and appearances by Jacqueline Bisset, Karen Allen, Judd Hirsch, Lasse Hallström, Lena Olin, Tim Daly and Amy Smart.
In addition to earning a Best of Fest award, “Of Medicine and Miracles” won the Director’s Choice Award for Most Inspirational Documentary and the Audience Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature in a tie with “Mama Bears,” the story of women from conservative Christian backgrounds who fully accept their LGBTQ+ children.
“Farewell, Mr. Haffman” also received the Audience Choice Best International Film Award.
Other highlights of the award ceremony that took place on the festival’s final day as a snowstorm blanketed the red rocks include:
- “Patrick and the Whale,” Director’s Choice Best Environmental Documentary;
- “The Grab,” Director’s Choice Best Investigative Documentary;
- “Monumental Divide,” Director’s Choice Best Documentary;
- “The Wind and the Reckoning,” Director’s Choice Best Feature –Drama;
- “Conducting Life” and “Awadagin Pratt: Black in America” in a tie for Audience Choice Best Documentary Short;
- “The Road Dance,” Audience Choice Best Feature Drama; and
- “Pinball – The Man Who Saved the Game,” Audience Choice Best Feature Comedy.
The festival presented Lifetime Achievement Awards in acting to Bisset, Allen and Hirsch; for directing to Hallström; for Outstanding Acting to Olin and her daughter Tora Hallström for their roles in Hilma; for Outstanding Lead Actress to AnnaLynne McCord for “Condition of Return;” and Heart of the Festival Award to Chris and Pat McFaul.
