2024 Winners and Honorable Mentions
1st Place
Dear Nora When Nora is asked to write a letter on self-love, she grapples with her inner critic, battling negative thoughts to reclaim her worth and embrace the beauty within and around her.
Directed by Christina Brennan (New York, NY, US) Christina Brennan is an emerging director, actor, and writer from Orlando, Florida. From a young age, she was at the front of every room putting on shows for her family and friends. She is excited to bring her lifelong love of storytelling to the screen as she continues her acting and directing career in New York City. Christina is a recent graduate of The University of North Florida and an NYU Stonestreet Studios Alumni. Bringing stories to life with the people she loves is her greatest joy.
2nd Place
Fall In an apocalyptic wasteland, two unlikely allies come together to fight for survival rather than fight each other.
Directed by Ben David Sharp & Josh Madison Lewis (Glasgow, Scotland, UK) Josh & Ben met in Uni and have been working together since, for the past few years they've been trapped in the purgatory of corporate video work. In the last 12 months, they decided to re-enter the narrative film world on their terms and have made 7 short films together. Their films have won best sci-fi, 3 Audience Choice awards, 3 best VFX awards, and placed top 3 at several events.
3rd Place
The Universal Language A man and a robot attempt to navigate their unconventional relationship.
Directed by Elijah Boulton (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) Elijah Boulton is a local writer, director, and editor from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been an independent filmmaker for 15+ years, creating dozens of short films, sketches, and several feature-length films. Elijah won “Best Film” at the Atlantic Canada 48hr Film Project two years in a row. He competed at Filmapalooza 2023 & 2024 for his outstanding work writing, directing, and editing his award-winning short films “Growing Pains” and “Requiem.” He also has an extensive background in theatre, having won “Fringiest Fringe” and “Audience Choice” awards for his live show “The History of Stolen Art.” Elijah is constantly striving to challenge himself with different creative projects and currently has multiple short films in production.
Storytellers Collective Award Winner
Body Buddies An engagement photographer and a mobster are forced to work together in order to save their skins.
Directed by Tommy Heffernan (Seattle, WA, US) Tommy Heffernan is a Seattle filmmaker with experience producing stageplays, sketch comedy shows, and short films. His films have received 1st, 2nd & Audience Choice awards in several local competitions, including the Seattle 48hr Film Project, an official selection in the Seattle International Film Festival 2024, and three Honorable Mentions in the Russo Bros.' international AGBO "No Sleep Till Film Fest." Most recently, he's worked as an editor with T-Mobile.
Honorable Mentions
Hard Sell A failed door-to-door salesman bonds with an unlikely (yet similar) young man.
Directed by David Moravcik, Max Emerson Taylor (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) David Moravcik and Max Emerson Taylor are childhood friends living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with backgrounds in advertising and politics. After finding footing in their respective careers, they took a hiatus from their individual trajectories (hopefully permanently) and came together to follow their shared passion–film. The journey is just beginning for these two, and they face a clear reality of starting from the bottom: but with that, they understand one thing…the view from the top won’t look the same to anyone else.
A New Leash On Life A man in the darkest moment of his life makes an unexpected friend that changes everything.
Directed by Joe Daru & Alessandro “Axia” Serradimigni (Los Angeles, CA, US) Alessandro "AxiA" Serradimigni and Joe Daru have teamed up on over twenty short films that have amassed millions of views online. This creative duo is based in Los Angeles and strives to tell compelling stories. AxiA is an Italian-born film director, cinematographer, and singer. Joe is a Thai-American writer, director & actor. The pair met in 2017 after their move to LA and first began collaborating on short films in an attempt to build up their individual demo reels. Since then, they’ve filmed multiple shorts each year and have their goal set on a full-length feature film.
SHUT UP (닥쳐) James, the eldest son of a Korean immigrant, wrestles with the challenge of convincing AI and himself of his Korean identity.
Directed by James Cutler (Provo, UT, US) James Cutler is a half-Korean director, cinematographer, and composer. His work focuses on exploring identity and origin through surreal, narrative fiction. His recent short film, Confused Blood, has shown at various film festivals, including SFFILM 2024.
Butterflies A first date goes awry when a would-be lover lets the film's narrator get in her head — literally.
Directed by Akshay Ravi (Los Angeles, CA, US) Akshay Ravi is a director and producer based in LA. He graduated from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in 2020 and has since been independently producing and directing short content featured in festivals worldwide. In addition to his current job on an anthology series at Blur Studio, Akshay is passionate about telling stories that represent underrepresented voices, advocate for social good, and hopefully make you laugh a little. In his free time, Akshay likes to cook, come up with his next bit, play PS5, and try his hand at firebending.
Trauma Bonding An ill-fated romance finds hope when a mysterious visitor gives them a little kick.
Directed by Gary Baughan (Inglewood, CA, US) Gary is a passionate filmmaker from Fayetteville, NC. Growing up, he would watch older films with his mom on Turner Classic Movies, instilling a love of cinema in his heart. He made short films and skits with his brothers and friends, diligently studying filmmaking techniques to improve his craft. He attended film school at Full Sail University in Florida, learning the technical and logistical aspects of a film set. He moved to Los Angeles in 2021 to pursue his dreams of making movies full-time.
The Garage A woman struggles to free herself before her mysterious captor returns.
Directed by Joshua Joel Ortiz (San Francisco, CA, US) Josh Ortiz is a Filipino-American filmmaker from San Francisco who has directed projects for Netflix, HBO, NBCUniversal, Rideback Rise, and more. Ortiz's professional career began in 2015 on the HBO TV show Project Greenlight, where industry veterans Ben Affleck and Matt Damon awarded Josh “Most Unique Short Film” for his film "Listen." In 2016, his 48-hour short film "Wake Up" won "Best Film" and had a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival. Josh is excited to transition to feature and television opportunities with his wife Valeri Ortiz (composer).
Number Neighbor Two strangers, connected by nearly identical phone numbers, form an unlikely bond that leads one to a life-altering choice.
Directed by Dillon Hoover (Menifee, CA, US) Dillon Hoover is a filmmaker whose passion for storytelling began as a child, often borrowing (stealing) his parents' camera to create home videos. His love for movies deepened after discovering Robert Zemeckis classics like Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and Cast Away, the latter sparking his desire to pursue filmmaking. He has since directed numerous short films and music videos, with a primary focus on compelling narratives. When he's not creating, you can find him with his fiancée and golden retriever outdoors—camping, fishing, or rooting for the Dallas Cowboys.
Desperate Times When a kibble is lost under the couch, desperate times call for desperate measures.
Directed by Isaac Ruth (North Hollywood, CA, US) Isaac is a writer and director in Los Angeles. He is represented by Randy James Management.
A Simple Job Two blokes on a job, what could go wrong?
Directed by Ayman Chaudhry (Manchester, England, UK) Award-winning Director, Writer, and Actor with a versatile background spanning media, photography, music, and film. A passionate filmmaker with a deep love for creating work that I’m proud of, he brings a creative vision that resonates with both audiences and collaborators. More importantly, he has a genuine passion for everything Film and TV related, constantly driven to explore new creative possibilities in these mediums.
A Light Goes Out A phone message interrupts a ghosthunter's daily business.
Directed by Michael Heislbetz (Vienna, Austria) Studied International Cultural and Business Studies as well as Journalism. Has worked as a freelance journalist and later in Marketing / PR. Started film-making only a few years ago, initially in the field of documenting.
AGBO ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FOURTH ANNUAL GLOBAL FILMMAKING COMPETITION, “NO SLEEP ‘TIL FILM FEST”
Christina Brennan (US), Ben David Sharp, Josh Madison Lewis (Scotland), and Elijah Boulton (Canada) are awarded top prizes for their films in AGBO’s virtual short film festival.
AGBO is proud to announce the winners of their fourth annual 48-hour filmmaking competition, “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest.” As part of AGBO’s commitment to championing emerging filmmakers, the two-day festival challenges participants to make films that are three minutes or less for a chance to win prizes and receive ongoing mentorship from the independent studio. This year’s prompt required participants to create a short film that explored the dynamics of an unlikely alliance: whether it’s an unusual friendship, a partnership between adversaries, or a connection between seemingly incompatible beings, filmmakers were challenged to show how the most unexpected collaborations can lead to the most profound outcomes. This year’s winners are Christina Brennan, an emerging filmmaker from New York City, winning first place for her short “Dear Nora,” which follows a young woman confronting her inner critic as she struggles to embrace her own worth and find beauty in life’s small moments. Second place is awarded to the directing team of Ben David Sharp and Josh Madison Lewis from Glasgow, Scotland, for their apocalyptic short “Fall,” a wordless drama where two unlikely allies face the decision to cooperate or fight for survival. Elijah Boulton, an independent filmmaker from Nova Scotia, takes third place for his film “The Universal Language,” a quirky narrative about a man who orders a synthetic girlfriend only to discover a unique language barrier between them.
The top three winners receive a filmmaking prize package equipped with essential resources and best-in-class equipment to use for future filmmaking opportunities. They will also join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of winners from other AGBO-sponsored festivals and fellowship programs such as the Russo Brothers Italian American Filmmaker Forum and the Slamdance Film Festival Fellowship, the same festival the Russos received their start at in 1997 as emerging filmmakers.
The festival’s panel of judges include AGBO Co-Founders Anthony and Joe Russo, Partner Donald Mustard, Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot, Chief Innovation Officer Jake Aust, Chief Marketing Officer Marian Koltai-Levine, Co-Presidents of Story Chris Markus and Stephen McFeely, President of Film Michael Disco and President of Television Scott Nemes. The current members of the Storytellers Collective voted on a winning film to receive the “AGBO Storytellers Collective Award” which brings in another filmmaker to the mentorship and alumni program with their colleagues. The recipient of this year's award is Seattle filmmaker Tommy Heffernan for “Body Buddies,” a dark comedy where a wedding photographer and a mobster keep a body hidden in the middle of an engagement shoot. This marks Heffernan’s fourth time placing among No Sleep’s top entries.
“Each year, we are amazed by the ingenuity and passion these filmmakers bring to life in just 48 hours,” said AGBO’s Chief Creative Officer Angela Russo-Otstot. “This year’s submissions came from every corner of the world, with hundreds of entries from over 47 countries, showcasing a variety of thematic and story explorations that resonate with and connect us all. We are honored to provide a platform that celebrates global voices and empowers storytellers at all levels to share their unique perspective and vision.”
All winners and honorable mentions from the Fourth Annual “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest” include:
First Place
Dear Nora, directed by Christina Brennan (New York, NY, US)
Second Place
Fall, directed by Ben David Sharp and Josh Madison Lewis (Glasgow, Scotland, UK)
Third Place
The Universal Language, directed by Elijah Boulton (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
AGBO Storytellers Collective Award
Body Buddies, directed by Tommy Heffernan (Seattle, WA, US)
Honorable Mentions
Hard Sell, directed by David Moravcik, Max Emerson Taylor (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada)
A New Leash on Life, directed by Joe Daru and Alessandro “Axia” Serradimigni (Los Angeles, CA, US)
SHUT UP (닥쳐), directed by James Cutler (Provo, UT, US)
Butterflies, directed by Akshay Ravi (Los Angeles, CA, US)
Trauma Bonding, directed by Gary Baughan (Inglewood, CA, US)
The Garage, directed by Joshua Joel Ortiz (San Francisco, CA, US)
Number Neighbor, directed by Dillon Hoover (Menifee, CA, US)
Desperate Times, directed by Isaac Ruth (North Hollywood, CA, US)
A Simple Job, directed by Ayman Chaudhry (Manchester, England, UK)
A Light Goes Out, directed by Michael Heislbetz (Vienna, Austria)
The filmmaking prize package includes high-level, industry standard tools to provide the winners with the best gear for their storytelling endeavors, supplied in sponsorship by RED Digital Camera, Blackmagic Design, GoPro, Avid, happy® coffee and AGBO.
OFFICIAL PROMPT: UNLIKELY ALLIANCE
AGBO cherishes the power of collaboration, where unexpected alliances often yield the most innovative and heartfelt stories.
In this challenge, participants are required to create a short film that explores the dynamics of an unlikely alliance. Whether it’s an unusual friendship, a partnership between adversaries, or a connection between seemingly incompatible beings, show us how the most unexpected collaborations can lead to the most profound outcomes.
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ABOUT
AGBO's “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest” is a global short filmmaking festival that invites filmmakers to make a short movie, three minutes or less, in only 48 hours. The winners and honorable mentions are selected by the Russo Brothers and creative executives at AGBO. Part of AGBO’s commitment to championing emerging content creators, the two-day festival challenges participants to make bite-sized films for a chance to win prizes and mentorship from the independent studio. The festival is open world-wide for filmmakers of all levels, and the challenge requires participants to make a film within the time constraint based on a creative prompt released from AGBO. In the three years of the festival, “No Sleep ‘til Film Fest” has received over 2000 submissions from over 60 countries.
The judges selected three winning films to premiere across the AGBOVERSE as well as AGBO’s social channels, and winners received prizes provided in sponsorship by top filmmaking companies. All three winners join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of participants from other AGBO fellowship programs. The current Storytellers Collective members also participate in judging, selecting an additional winning filmmaker to receive the “AGBO Storytellers Collective Award” and join the alumni network.
HOW THIS WORKS:
On Friday, September 27th at 5:00pm PST, the festival prompt will be posted online. Participants have until 5:00pm PST on Sunday, September 29th to submit films. Films and additional materials must be submitted via our Film Freeway submission page only, and we’ll announce the winners on November 6th.
PRIZES
First Place will receive a RED KOMODO Starter Pack, a 1 year subscription to Avid’s Media Composer Ultimate, GoPro’s all new flagship camera, a copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio from Blackmagic Design, a special happy® coffee package of all your favorite products, and an AGBO merch gift package.
Second and Third Place will receive a 1 year subscription to Avid’s Media Composer Ultimate, GoPro’s all new flagship camera, a copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio from Blackmagic Design, a special happy® coffee package of all your favorite products and merch from AGBO.
All three winners will join the AGBO Storytellers Collective, an alumni network of participants from other AGBO fellowship programs. The current Storytellers Collective members will also participate in judging, selecting an additional winning filmmaker to receive the “AGBO Storytellers Collective Award” and join the alumni network.
The Storytellers Collective Award Winner and Ten honorable mentions will receive a 1 year subscription to Avid’s Media Composer.
FAQ'S
My film was still uploading at 5pm PT, will I be disqualified if I did not get my film in on time? No. If you spent the whole weekend making a short for the festival and the time stamp for the submission is slightly past the deadline, your film will still be in consideration.
Can I post my film on my personal social media? Yes. Posting the video on your own social media has no effect on the judging process or qualification of your film.
Why was my film disqualified? If the runtime on your film was noticeably over the time limit specifications, your film was disqualified. If you believe you were mistakenly disqualified, please reach out to the festival committee nosleep@agbo.com
Contact. If you have a question during the festival, please email nosleep@agbo.com. The team will respond as quickly as possible, but response time may vary.
CONTACT
If you have a question during the festival, please email nosleep@agbo.com. The team will respond as quickly as possible, but response time may vary.