St. Louis Park, MN (October 27, 2023) – The Twin Cities Film Fest unveiled more than 15 finalists for its top awards Thursday, many of which are still set to stream during the event’s final weekend. Among the contenders for the 2023 Best Feature Film Award are the new Alexander Payne comedy The Holdovers, the acclaimed Cord Jefferson satire American Fiction, and the locally filmed adaptation Downtown Owl.

Other notable finalists this year include Giovanni Fumu’s Abroad, Lee Hirsch’s The First Class, Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers and Rudy Valdez’s moving short film Translators.

Actor Bill Murray is again serving as a special guest judge for this year’s Comedy Shorts Award. Murray will be choosing his favorite comedic short from the three finalists listed below.

See the complete list of 2023 awards finalists below; for more information on the films and to purchase tickets for the final streams and screenings, visit TwinCitiesFilmFest.org:

2023 TCFF FINALISTS

Best Feature Film Award:

• Abroad, directed by Giovanni Fumu (read my review)
• All of Us Strangers, directed by Andrew Haigh
• American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson
• Dealing With Dad, directed by Tom Huang
• Downtown Owl, directed by Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe
• The Holdovers, directed by Alexander Payne

The Robert Byrd Best Documentary Film Award

• A Binding Truth, directed by Louise Woehrle (read my review)
• Black Barbie, directed by Lagueria Davis (read my review)
• The First Class, directed by Lee Hirsch
• Show Her the Money, directed by Ky Dickens
• The Stones and Brian Jones, directed by Nick Broomfield
• Translators, directed by Rudy Valdez

The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Connected Feature Award:

• Abroad, directed by Giovanni Fumu (read my review)
• Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory, directed by Justinsuperstar (read my review)
• Voice of Shadows, directed by Nick Bain

Best Short Film Award:

• Boifriend, directed by Rebecca Marquardt and Lane Michael Stanley
• Cardiff, directed by Sarah Smith
• EITR, directed by Fateema Al-Hamaydeh Miller
• Happy New Year Jamie Morgenstern, directed by Ben Wang
• Little Anna, directed by J. Batzli.

TCFF’s Indie Vision Award:

• Dealing With Dad
• Downtown Owl
• The First Class
• Hundreds of Beavers
• No Right Way
• Patrick and the Whale

Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedy Shorts Award

• Bin Day, directed by Ryan Neil Butler
• Blonsh, directed by James Werner
• South Pasadena 3, directed by Brian Farrell

TCFF Changemaker Award (Health Care Disparities): Dr. Yeng Yang, HealthPartners

Other widely hailed entries in this year’s program: A Little Prayer (Oct. 24), All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt (Oct. 21), All of Us Strangers (Oct. 21), Fingernails (Oct. 20), The First Class (Oct. 21), Housekeeping For Beginners (Oct. 25), The Stones and Brian Jones (Oct. 22), Suitable Flesh (Oct. 21), The Taste of Things (Oct. 22), The Teachers’ Lounge (Oct. 23) and V/H/S 85 (Oct. 20 – read Laura’s review).

TCFF Indie Vision Legacy Award:
Terrence Howard

I’m excited to listen to a Conversation with actor Terrence Howard later today (the event has sold out!)

The Oscar-nominee attended the screening of his action-comedy Showdown at the Grand last night, here’s a video of his interview on the red carpet:

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My TCFF Closing Night Schedules

TCFF often ends with a buzz-worthy film and this year is no exception! American Fiction just might end up being an Oscar contender this year, fingers crossed that Jeffrey Wright will finally nab a nomination!

I’m also excited to see Lily Rabe & Hamish Linklater’s debut feature Downtown Owl, which was filmed in the Twin Cities and boasts a stellar cast: Ed Harris, Henry Golding, Finn Wittrock, and Vanessa Hudgens.

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Stay tuned for news on TCFF 2023 winners + additional reviews next week, including The Holdovers

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