past cciff winners
Each year, the Central Coast International Film Festival honors bold voices and visionary storytelling from around the world. Our past winners represent the very best in independent film - works that moved, challenged, and inspired us. Explore the standout films and talented filmmakers recognized at our 2025, 2024 and 2023 festivals.
2025 Winter CCIFF Winners
The 2025 Summer edition brought together groundbreaking new talent and daring cinematic visions. These winning films captivated audiences and juries alike with their creativity, heart, and originality.
Best Short Movie
Death By King Cake
Best short Doc
The Imagination of a Child
Best Feature Film
Iriso
Best Feature Doc
Chanting of the Dunes
Best Director Short Movie (Male)
Walid Chaya
Best Director Short Doc (Male)
Braeden Clete Meyer
Best Director Feature Doc (Male)
Lorenzo DeStefano
Best Director Short Movie (Female)
Holly Dorff
Best Director Short Doc (Female)
Debbie Kutch
Best
Actor
Michael Ridley
2024 Winter CCIFF Winners
The 2024 winter festival showcased a diverse range of compelling stories and rising talents. These winners represent the evolving spirit of CCIFF.
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Best Short Movie
Barefoot
Julia Knox, Kasey Orthmann
Best Feature Film
Hanky Panky
Lindsey Haun, Nick Roth
Best Actor
Secrets Not Buried
Thomas Beaudoin
Best Actress
Suzie (& Jenny)
Anna-Maria Strickland
Best Director (Male)
Sight For Sore Eyes
Trevor Meyer
Best Director (Female)
Good Grief
Ash Blodgett
Best Score
The Fabulous Misadventures of Pizza Boy
Ryan Jachetta
Best Cinematographer (Feature)
Ultimate Chatbite
Thierry Nguyen,
Francois-Xavier Faidy
Best Cinematographer (Short)
Sister
Ian Moseley-Duffy
Best Ensemble
Asi Es La Vida
Ortega Brothers
Best Young Actor
Safe City
Joaquin Lim
Best Editor
[Insert Short Film Title]
Jonathan Eagan
2024 Summer CCIFF Winners
From gripping narratives to genre-defying shorts, these award-winning films captured the imagination of audiences and juries alike. Each winner reflects the heart of CCIFF—bold storytelling, fresh perspectives, and a passion for independent film.
Best Short Movie
Happy BirthGay
Best Feature Film
Superpowers Aren't a Thing
Best Actor
The Life of Lester Wink
Pat Shortt
Best Actress
Punjabi Protector
Keeran Panesar
Best Director (Male)
Memory Card
Taras Lashchak, Stanislav Puzdriak
Best Director (Female)
Pennies
Lena Louise Streitwieser
Best Score
Novelty
Andy Tsai
Best Cinematography
Enemy No More
Anthony C. Kuhnz
Best Editor
Split Decision | Parker Green
Best Ensemble
THE O.G.S
2023 CCIFF Winners
The 2023 Central Coast International Film Festival marked the launch of a new creative tradition on California’s Central Coast. In our very first year, we welcomed a passionate community of filmmakers and film lovers to celebrate bold, original storytelling. These inaugural winners set the tone—diverse, daring, and deeply human—and laid the foundation for everything CCIFF has become.
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Best Indie movie
Fatih The Conqueror
Onur Yagiz
Best drama
Liquid Human
Giulio Fiore
Best comedy
Good Girl
Jenny Kleiman
Best music video
People are People
Vaja
Best cinematography
Creation
Jordan Schultz
Best sci fi
Here to Help
Angelique Pineda
Best director (female)
How to Grow Apart
Angelique Pineda
Best director (male)
Between the Words
Farid Ismail
Best actress
Noah Fernández Mejía
Gummies
best actor
John Frederick Scott
Running Against the World