Every film shown at Salem Film Fest is an extraordinary viewing experience. This year the festival honors six filmmakers with awards which represent the appreciation of our audience and jury, and recognition of achievement in different disciplines in filmmaking. All Award winners will be presented an original trophy created by local artists Arlene Browne, Richard Flynn, Peter Grimshaw, Scott Lanes, Melynn Nuite, or Jack Walsh.

 2023 Salem Film Fest Awards

Special Jury Award

TO KILL A TIGER

Directed by Nisha Pahuja

Michael Sullivan Award for Documentary Journalism

TO KILL A TIGER

Directed by Nisha Pahuja

American Cinematographer Magazine Award for Cinematography

NORTH CIRCULAR

Directed by Luke McManus
Cinematography by Paddy Jordan, Richard Kendrick, Evan Barry, Jamie Goldrick, and Luke McManus

Cultrera Cuts Edit Award

CABIN MUSIC

Directed and Edited by James Carson

Best Short

I don’t know if you remember this

Directed by Katelyn Rebelo

Audience Award

The Grab

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite

We are grateful to the distinguished members of our 2023 Jury.

Joanna Vasquez Arong (TO CALM THE PIG INSIDE, 2021)
Judy Barlow, Vice President of Business Development and International Sales, American Public Television
Kevin Belli, Cinematographer/Editor, THE LIST (SFF 2012), Co-Cinematographer, THE PEACEMAKER (SFF 2016)
Jimmy Goldblum, Filmmaker; A BROKEN HOUSE (Best Short SFF 2021), TOMORROW WE DISAPPEAR (Special Jury Award SFF 2015)
Chris Hastings, Executive Producer and Editorial Manager, WORLD Channel
Amy Jenkins, Filmmaker; WISHES (SFF 2020)
Peter Keough, Freelance Film Critic for The Boston Globe and other publications; Editor, For Kids of All Ages: The National Society of Film Critics on Children’s Movies.
Rinus Oosthoek, Executive Director, Salem Chamber of Commerce; Co-founder, Salem Film Fest
Stephen Pizzello, Editor-in-Chief, American Cinematographer Magazine
Jan Roberts-Breslin, Filmmaker; Professor and Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies Department of Visual & Media Arts, Emerson College
Susanne Rostock, Filmmaker; Editor, SING YOUR SONG, INCIDENT AT OGALA
Flávia de Souza, Editor, ARMED WITH FAITH (SFF 2018)
Barna Szász, Filmmaker; SHARE (SFF 2019)
Clemence Taillandier, Distribution Expert; Theatrical Sales, Film Movement
Louis Wiley Jr, Former Executive Editor, FRONTLINE
Sally Wu, Filmmaker; Co-producer, THE MOSUO SISTERS (SFF 2013); Director, THE GOOD DAUGHTER (SFF 2020 and Doc-a-chusetts Pitch Winner SFF 2016)