With more emphasis on storytelling and creativity than ever before, the 2016 Film Festival, which ran from October 2015-September 2016, was the most successful festival to date. The 2016 Festival diverged from previous years by asking students to submit their films into one of three categories: A Day in the Life, Creative Short, and IES Abroad Film Course Production.

Starting with a record-breaking 70 film submissions from around the world, 18 semi-finalists were sent to the jury and 5 finalist films were opened up to the public for voting on our Facebook page.

After 2,000+ votes in just five days’ time, the award of Study Abroad Film Festival Grand Prize Winner went to Even in Europe… by Jordan Cain for his light-hearted, and smile-filled dance video across Europe.
 

Interested in our other festivals? Check them out here:

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2016 FILM FESTIVAL WINNER

Jordan Cain

Even in Europe

“I am so thankful I had this opportunity to travel and learn about so many different things in the world and this production is my way of communicating my feelings and experiences throughout."

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Finalists

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I Choose Openness

Thamine Nayeem • University of Richmond • Rabat, Fall 2015

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With Love

Shannon Sotomayor • Brown University • Dublin, Spring 2016

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FOMO

Rachel B, Courtney T, and Rod F • London, Spring 2016

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Si Sabe Algo

Paul Holden • Yale University • Salamanca, Fall 2015

Semi-Finalists

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Motion in the South

Honorable Mention • Oliver Lowe • Cape Town

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Bonjour Paris!

Best Music • Gwendolyn Lee • Paris

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Hidden Beauties: A Day in Istanbul

Best New Talent • Maya Benedict • Istanbul

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The Black Men of IES Roma

Best Interviews • Konso Mbakire • Rome

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(Not) A Day in the Life Abroad

Most Unique • Benjamin Streeter • Madrid

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Perspective

Most Thought Provoking • Micky Ferguson • Salamanca

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La Bella Vita a Milano

Most Creative Music Video • Hannah Koxlien and Megan Wrentz • Milan

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The Third Man: A Reenactment

Best Screenplay • Sparrow Gates • Vienna

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Teaching Science in Manenberg

Most Informative • James Dolgin • Cape Town

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Nobel

Best Study Abroad Reflection • Elisabeth Hawthorne • Rome

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There Is No Place Like Home

Best Storytelling • Brock Carlson • Milan

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The Barrier

Best Documentary • Valerie Medoff • London

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My Milano Is Not Your Milan

Best Cinematography • Jiaqi Luo • Milan

Headshot of Thamine Nayeem
“Moving halfway across the country was a terrifying decision for me. If I hadn't gone abroad and already experienced what it was like to leave home for four months, I don't think I would have taken such a bold leap and pursued storytelling professionally.”
Thamine N. • University of Richmond • Rabat – Study in Rabat

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a student takes a photo of the ocean on the beach in Barcelona