The Chroma Art Film Festival 2024, held at the iconic Superblue Miami, brought together a vibrant and diverse group of artists and filmmakers from across the globe. These visionaries pushed the boundaries of their respective mediums, blending art, technology, and storytelling in truly groundbreaking ways. Chroma 2.0’s winners embody the festival’s spirit of experimentation and innovation, showcasing bold, thought-provoking works that captivated audiences and judges alike. Let’s dive into the award-winning pieces from this year’s festival.

Best in Student Film: “The Veil” by Allie Cincera & Cosmo Brusa Zappellini
Allie Cincera and Cosmo Brusa Zappellini’s “The Veil” is a deeply personal exploration of grief, framed through a surreal journey guided by a witch. This film, which blends the mystical with the deeply emotional, captures the essence of internal conflict and spiritual transformation, earning it the Best in Student Film award.

Best in AI: “Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Nature-verse” by [dNASAb]
[dNASAb]’s visionary work “Faux Ecologies + Augmented Visions of the Nature-verse” is an immersive experience blending AI-assisted filmmaking and environmental activism. By highlighting the threats facing South Florida’s reefs, this project uses technology and art to advocate for sustainability, making it the well-deserved winner of Best in AI.

Best in New Media: “Baroque Bodies (Configurations)” by Laura Splan
Laura Splan’s “Baroque Bodies (Configurations)” explores the intersection of biological and technological worlds through biophysical equation-driven animations. This work, which merges AI-generated imagery and soundscapes, taps into deeper epigenetic research while creating a multisensory experience, winning the award for Best in New Media.

Best in Spectrum Stories: “Lavender Mind” by Audrey Anna Kotkin
Audrey Anna Kotkin’s “Lavender Mind” offers a deeply personal insight into living with Petit Mal Seizures. Through expressive and visually compelling storytelling, the film presents the symptoms of these seizures in a way that’s both empathetic and informative, making it the winner of Best in Spectrum Stories.

Best Music Video: “In The Mirror” by Sydney Mills
“In The Mirror,” directed by Sydney Mills, captures the haunting and introspective tones of The Discussion’s music through a visually striking darkwave aesthetic. With its moody, prism-effect visuals and powerful performance by Laura Pleasants, this video earned its place as the Best Music Video at Chroma 2.0.

Best in Cinematic Poetry/Video Art: “Video Art” by Aybuke Yilmazer
Aybuke Yilmazer’s “Video Art” is an abstract exploration of what defines video art itself. Using irregular pacing, repetition, and visual contradictions inspired by the Dada manifesto, this piece challenges the viewer’s perception of reality and identity, making it the winner of Best in Cinematic Poetry/Video Art.

Best Documentary/Essay Short: “Counter-Reformation” by Caroline Johnson
“Counter-Reformation” by Caroline Johnson is a 16mm meditation on religion, art, and the self, set against the historical backdrop of 16th-century Europe. Examining the life of Sofonisba Anguissola, the first female court painter, the film beautifully intertwines personal reflection with historical observation, earning it the Best Documentary/Essay Short award.

Best Experimental Short: “Dreams of the Robot” by Marcin Pospiech (reinfected.me)
Marcin Pospiech’s “Dreams of the Robot” takes viewers on a surreal and unsettling journey into alternate realities where insanity reigns. The film’s experimental nature and evocative visuals create a captivating experience, winning the award for Best Experimental Short.

Best in Animation: “Nerd” by Gustavo Andres Menese
Gustavo Andres Menese’s “Nerd” is a conceptual animation about self-realization through science. Through 2213 hand-painted digital frames, this three-year labor of love tells the story of a young boy named Gus who discovers the interconnectedness of all things, earning Best in Animation at Chroma 2.0.

The Chroma 2.0 winners are a testament to the festival’s commitment to showcasing innovative, boundary-pushing works across mediums. These artists and filmmakers have not only entertained and inspired but also raised important questions about our world, our technology, and our place within it. Congratulations to all the winners for their remarkable contributions to the art and film landscape!