The 2026 Tribeca Festival has revealed this year’s competition award winners, with top prizes going to the films Cotton Fever, Labrador – Autopsy of Silence and Jail Time Records in the U.S. narrative, international narrative and documentary sections, respectively.
Labrador – Autopsy of Silence and Jail Time Records each won two more awards. Labrador was also recognized with best performance in an international narrative feature for Christopher Angatookalook and best cinematography.
Jail Time Records also won best cinematography in the documentary competition category and the Albert Maysles Award for best new documentary director.
Other winners include Summer of Three‘s Marcel Ruiz, Paolo Schoene and Kiki Montilla, who were recognized with best performance in a U.S. narrative feature.
Summer of Three also won best screenplay in the U.S. narrative competition and Cotton Fever won best cinematography in a U.S. narrative feature.
“This year’s award winners embody the spirit of Tribeca: fearless work that crosses borders, expands the form, and reveals the power of storytelling to uncover humanity in unexpected places,” Tribeca Festival director and senior vp programming Cara Cusumano said in a statement. “As we celebrate our 25th year, these artists remind us that powerful stories do more than entertain, they deepen our empathy, broaden our perspective, and bring us closer together.”
Select category winners received a Tribeca Festival art award from a selection of artists led by curator Zoe Lukov. Supported by Chanel, the artists donated to honored filmmakers.
Winners of the Audience Award, determined by votes throughout the Festival, will be announced at a later date.
The 25th Tribeca Festival, which kicked off on June 3, runs through June 14 in New York.
A complete list of this year’s winners and special jury mentions, including jury statements for each project honored, as selected by the 2026 festival jury follows.
U.S. NARRATIVE COMPETITION
Founders Award for Best U.S. Narrative Feature Sponsored by OKX: Cotton Fever, Director Daniel Blake Schwartz (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film is a well-crafted, well-told, heartbreaking exploration of addiction and the difficulties of escaping its damaging effects. It explores a deep love in the midst of self-destruction, lack of shelter, criminality and co-dependency issues.”
Special Jury Mention for Best U.S. Narrative Feature: Here I’m Alive, Director Joshua Z Weinstein (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “One film stood out for diving deep into subcultures that are rarely explored. The film creates a series of sensitive portraits of people with unique points of view – alienation, loneliness, internet addiction, looksmaxxing, and desire for instant fame.”
Best Performance in a U.S. Narrative Feature: Marcel Ruiz, Paolo Schoene, and Kiki Montilla for Summer of Three (Puerto Rico) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This entertaining film felt so lived-in. The actors are warm, charismatic, and emotionally present. We fell in love with all three actors and wanted to jump on the back of the motorcycle and careen across Puerto Rico with them.”
Best Screenplay in a U.S. Narrative Feature: Carlitos Ruiz-Ruiz, Marcel Ruiz, and Mariana S. Belaval for Summer of Three (Puerto Rico) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film manages to be equal parts soulful and entertaining even as it explores deep themes of cultural identity, friendship, family, forgiveness, mortality, tragedy, and grief.”
Best Cinematography in a U.S. Narrative Feature: Tom Acton Fitzgerald for Cotton Fever (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In a film full of deep emotions, the cinematography was naturalistic, gritty, and ultimately poetic. It invites the audience to experience a painterly version of harsh reality.”
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE COMPETITION
Best International Narrative Feature: Labrador – Autopsy of Silence, Director Rodrigue Jean (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “An intriguing film that unanimously rose to the top. It is confidently crafted, spiritually mindful, and touched us deeply while immersing us in its haunting story and unique world.”
Best Performance in an International Narrative Feature: Christopher Angatookalook for Labrador – Autopsy of Silence (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “His soulful portrayal of emotional solitude blew us away and we imagine this award is just one of many to come.”
Special Jury Mention for Best Performance in an International Feature: Duda Santos & Mc Nem for Funk (Brazil) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Two actresses who impressed us with their incredible energy and dynamism in a film that shows a fresh side of favelas on screen, by way of music and dance. And a special shout out to their costumes, too!”
Best Screenplay in an International Narrative Feature: Alex Camilleri for Zejtune (Malta, Germany, Qatar) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “A film about reclaiming, reconnection, and preserving history as well as music. Not only did the writing manage to pull us into a world we on the jury hadn’t been before but it supported the brilliant performances of its leads and allowed them to shine.”
Best Cinematography in an International Narrative Feature: Mathieu Laverdière for Labrador – Autopsy of Silence (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A film whose imagery convinced us we, too, were aboard a claustrophobic cargo freighter out on the vast, frigid ocean. His lens deftly managed the contrast between these stark cold environs and the warmth behind the eyes of its breakout performer.”
DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION
Best Documentary Feature: Jail Time Records, Directors Dione Roach and Steve Happi (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Every so often a captivating, unexpected film comes out of the blue that simply demands to be seen, and this one is truly unforgettable. This film is the jaw-dropping story of a music recording studio built within the confines of an overcrowded prison in Cameroon, Central Africa, that gives incarcerated individuals an outlet for creative expression. The film is an undeniable statement about the transformational power of music, as we witness young artists find their voices under the most improbable circumstances. The stunning cinematography, remarkable intimacy, and bravura formal execution of the film are incredible to behold, to say nothing of the music itself, which is absolutely banging. This film is a cry to be heard from the depths of incarceration, and we are listening.”
Special Jury Mention for Best Documentary Feature: Time Warp, Director Allison Berg (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In a film that is both propulsive, hopeful, irreverent, and heartbreaking, a small, conservative town rallies around the dreams of its youth to bring an LGBTQ theater performance to life. The intimacy, care and skill shown in the craft make this the film the world needs to see right now – a film about radical love, community and the courage of the LGBTQ+ community against tremendous odds.”
Best Cinematography in a Documentary Feature: Dione Roach, Urberto Rapisardi, and Steve Happi for Jail Time Records (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “The cinematography in this film is vivid and stunning, characterized by fluid camerawork that effortlessly glides around a dynamic, chaotic environment with balletic precision and style to burn. There are sequences throughout the film that seem nearly impossible to have captured, providing a rich palette that matches the incredible energy and creativity of its subjects.”
Special Jury Mention for Best Cinematography in a Documentary Feature: Lukas Gut for Siege of Paradise (Ireland, Switzerland) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “In this film, set on a pristine coast of a small town overwhelmed by tourism, the cinematography is our guide. The serious message of change and time leaving behind culture and tradition is handled lightly but impactfully, denoting a location where time is both the hero and the villain. The beautifully framed camera work transports the viewer to this gorgeous vista, immersing us in the sights, colors and textures of this timeless place, now under threat.”
Best Editing in a Documentary Feature: Rebecca Adorno and Viridiana Lieberman for Jean-Michel (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A devastating portrait of a brilliant artist that explores the complexity of the person behind his art, expertly putting his extraordinary body of work into context and unveiling the mind of a haunted genius. The pacing and nuanced editing echo and mirror the intense psychology of his paintings.”
Special Jury Mention for Best Editing in a Documentary Feature: Christopher A. Peterson and Peter Norrey for American Zoo (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “A searing account of an idyllic, joyful community space with a dark secret, the craft of editing weaves together a complex, dramatic, historical narrative from found, archival, shot footage and interviews. The result is a film both gripping and heartbreaking which stays with the viewer long after.”
VIEWPOINTS AWARD
Crocodile, Director The Critics and Pietra Brettkelly (Nigeria, New Zealand) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “This film beautifully captures both the courage and perseverance required to be an artist, illuminating the risks, sacrifices, and unwavering belief it takes to pursue one’s dreams. Through their work, these remarkable young filmmakers remind us that the arts are not simply a means of expression, but a way of living truthfully and authentically in the world. Drawing from both dreams and reality, they created something joyful, inventive, and deeply original—a work that delights the imagination while speaking to the power of creativity itself. What moved us most was the extraordinary maturity, generosity of spirit, and sense of possibility that shines through every frame. In celebrating the transformative power of art, this team crafted a film that inspired, surprised, and filled us with hope.”
Special Jury Mention for Viewpoints Award: Sarah Karei for One Woman One Bra (Kenya, Nigeria) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “One of the most heartbreaking and powerful performances we have seen in some time. This actress astonishes as a woman who has been abandoned by her family and community and stands alone in a world that has turned its back on her.”
BEST NEW NARRATIVE DIRECTOR AWARD
Miiku Sakanishi for Memorizu (Japan) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This is a film about the ability to create an extraordinary depth of pure emotion through images and how they meet. This is also the great gift he bestows on the audience. From the very first shots, we are taken in by an unpretentious filmmaker completely clear in his intention, someone who trusts both himself and us. He bravely tells a small, precise story, taking risks in narrative, rhythm, and voice in order to achieve something cinematic, capacious and lasting. This is coupled by beautiful writing that deeply understands both the family condition he is observing so intimately and the society within which the story is set. This director has made something completely modern and devoid of cliché, taking us to the heart of the matter. Watching the movie, we all felt, ‘Let me have a life where I can receive these feelings.’”
Special Jury Mention, Best New Narrative Director: Elisee Junior St. Preux for The Tropic Sun and His Eyes (Haiti) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This selection is a ravishing portrait of three things at once: our troubled main character, his beautiful new friendship with a younger boy, and the island of Haiti itself. It is this last depiction that moved us deeply. With the pulse of cinema, inventive shooting, and the guidance of two well-drawn characters, we understood the feeling of the Haitian sun on our backs.”
ALBERT MAYSLES AWARD FOR BEST NEW DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR
Dione Roach and Steve Happi for Jail Time Records (Cameroon, United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “For a filmmaker, access is everything — but the craft is what we do with it. This film reminds us that documentary starts with humanity and takes us on a journey to discover a new world. The film expertly articulates how to tell a story using every tool of our craft, leaving no tool unused. The visuals, the sound, and the restraint are all put to work with precision and intention. It makes clear that artistry and humanity can flourish from the most unexpected places and from the deepest corners. It is a feat of verité documentary filmmaking and a force of storytelling.”
Special Jury Mention, Albert Maysles Award: Natalie Baszile and Hyacinth Parker for Harvest (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This award goes to a film that introduced us to a story that impacts us all in ways we wouldn’t necessarily expect. It made us fall in love with its participants in the most intimate way. Documentaries can tell a story with a beauty we would never have discovered on our own. It humanizes a topic we so often miss, hidden in plain view. We feel lucky to have spent time with these people—and we are better for having walked alongside them.”
NORA EPHRON AWARD
The Nora Ephron Award will honor an exceptional female filmmaker who represents the spirit and vision of the legendary filmmaker and writer.
Dina Duma for Skateboarding Is Not for Girls (North Macedonia, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Nora Ephron represents why having a distinct femme voice within a patriarchal world can open the door for so many others. Ephron’s work often asked the question: how do women survive in a hostile world? Our selection for the winner of this award answers that question in many ways. This film is at once lyrical and political, touching and authentic, heart-breaking and heart-warming, while also being infused with joy and humor. By giving a voice to the voiceless, Dina Duma invites us into a distinct, deeply human experience by offering audiences specific characters that celebrate solidarity and family.”
SHORTS COMPETITION
Best Narrative Short: 32B, Director Mohamed Taher (Egypt) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Both expansive and specific in its storytelling, with a driving narrative and palpable emotion, this father-daughter love story is a love story itself to pushing through discomfort to show up when a child needs you.”
Special Jury Mention, Narrative Short: So, Boom, Director Abby Pierce (United States) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “As with the best of the genre, this comedy is charged by genuine stakes — all with a realism that can only be achieved by a storyteller drawing from their personal experience.”
Best Documentary Short: Listen, Director Taliesin Black Brown (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Aptly titled, our selection for Best Documentary Short is a technical masterpiece. It expertly uses the marriage of arresting sound design and beautiful cinematography to force the viewer to stop, listen, and consider our mortality and relationship with the natural world. The dedication to craftsmanship without sacrificing a personal and heartful narrative elevates it into reverberating far beyond its runtime.”
Special Jury Mention, Documentary Short: The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Directors Ben Proudfoot and Stephen Curry (United States) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “A documentary short that is highly engaging and excellently made, bringing an under-sung civil rights icon into a much-deserved spotlight. The mixed-format use of animation and dynamic editing elevate the viewing experience, while the interviews with the late Dr. Clarence B Jones, a natural storyteller, are gripping all on their own.”
Best Animated Short: Violet and Marlowe Rob a Bank, Director Wesley Wang (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Compact even for a short, this action-packed 3-minute film conveys a complete and heartbreaking story about the oppressed making their own rules — all while barely saying a word.”
Special Jury Mention, Animated Short: Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe, Director Andrea Szelesová (Czech Republic, Slovakia) – North American Premiere. Jury Statement: “Sweeping and grand in its ambitions, this short takes on a tall order: quickly establishing a full world that dances from one group of characters to the next as it oscillates from action to emotion — all while remaining centered on the film’s beating heart, a young protagonist finding his place in the world (or heavens, more accurately).”
Best New York Short: Insufficient Fare, Directors Michael Gugger and Varvara Kanellakopoulou (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “The jury’s selection for the inaugural Best New York Short captures the texture, humor, and spirit of New York City through an object that has quietly witnessed generations of city life. Both funny and nostalgic, the film celebrates the beloved MetroCard while acknowledging a city that is constantly evolving. ”
Best Music Video: “Fingers Crossed” – The Moth & The Flame, Director Rebecca Thomas (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “Represents an ideal marriage of sound and image, each elevating the other to create a portrait of optimism in the face of uncertainty. The director provides a high-energy visual experience that reflects the hopefulness of The Moth & The Flame’s song, while leaving space for thematic interpretation by the viewer.”
Student Visionary Award: Found&Lost, Director Reza Rasouli (Austria) – New York Premiere. Jury Statement: “Within the first moments of this film, the director’s command of visual language is unmistakable. The ability to convey the high stakes of Syrian immigrants’ experience in Austria through the details and rhythms of everyday life is emotionally gripping. The use of music to inject moments of levity into the story’s tension is particularly effective, creating a layered emotional balance without diminishing the stakes.”
TRIBECA GAMES AWARD
There are No Ghosts at the Grand, Directors Anil Glendinning and Rachel Glendinning (United Kingdom) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “From the very first line of dialogue, this project establishes a personality so confident and distinctive that it would stand out among 1,000 games – let alone 12. Its bizarre, funny, and even charmingly unsettling ideas offer an irresistible sense of fun that exemplifies what can happen when bold creative vision meets thoughtful craftsmanship. The team has achieved a remarkable balance between gameplay precision and tonally-consistent goofiness, and every artistic discipline – sound, music, visuals, performances – demonstrates exceptional quality and attention to detail. What makes this achievement especially outstanding is that despite its high level of polish and clear ambition, it never loses the clear heart, soul, and creative spirit that define independent game development at its best.”
TRIBECA PODCASTS COMPETITION
Audio Nonfiction Reporting Award: The Fastest Girl in Somalia, Director Teresa Krug (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “For its compelling characters and its stellar sense of place, its exciting pace that propels us to want to listen to the next episode.”
Audio Fiction Award: THE DOUBLE[S], Directors Winnie Kemp and Alexander Kemp (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “With its sardonic vision, sound design, and satire, this show names the social anxieties of our time and wrestles with the struggles of identity.”
Audio Investigative Nonfiction Award: The Most Wanted Olympian, Director Michelle Shephard (Canada) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “For its layered and propulsive storytelling, richly developed characters, excellent use of archival tape and sound design, and cultural timeliness, this series stands out as an exceptional piece of investigative journalism.”
Audio Memoir Award: Reaching Out, Director Sayre Quevedo (United States) – World Premiere. Jury Statement: “This piece stood out for its ambition, searing honesty, exceptional writing and exploration of the audio form. The piece’s form is not merely a vehicle for the piece but also an expression of it, resulting in a resonant story of the search for identity that leaves the listener wanting more.”
AT&T PRESENTS UNTOLD STORIES
Sid Gopinath, Aditya Joshi and Alifya Ali for Minnesota Goodbye
TRIBECA X AWARD COMPETITION
Best Feature: Meal Ticket from McDonald’s
Best Short: The Book of George from Stio
Best Commercial: Last Coke in the Desert from Coca-Cola
Best Commercial Honorable Mention: : Bang Bang from Safe School Las Vegas
Best Episodic: Built to Move from Autodesk
Best Episodic Honorable Mention: Partners from Carvana
Best Content Creator/Influencer: The Master of Speed & Stability from Beats
Best Audio/Podcast: To Catch a Thief: China’s Rise to Cyber Supremacy from Rubrik
Social Impact Award: The Philipstown WireCar Grand Prix from Accenture / Philipstown WireCar Co.
Environmental Impact Award: The Theory of Spice from Yogi Tea
Director of the Year: A$AP Rocky
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