Conclave, Camp Ricstar, The Bend named best in class;
Magpie, 24 Days Without You, Hold top audience favorites
St. Louis Park, MN (October 26, 2024) – The Twin Cities Film Fest Presented by Stearns Bank announced its
2024 award winners Saturday evening, recognizing films and artists across 10 top categories. The annual visual
arts celebration showcased more than 140 features, shorts and industry events over the past two weeks.
The riveting suspense thriller Conclave took home TCFF’s coveted Best Feature Film prize. Starring Ralph
Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow, the drama directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western
Front, Jack, Deutschland), confronts the secrecy and politics behind the church selecting a new pope.
The year’s top non-fiction award went to Sam McConnell’s Camp Ricstar, a documentary that explores the
heartbreaking history and profound impact of a one-of-a-kind camp for people with disabilities: The Eric
‘Ricstar’ Winter Music Therapy Camp.
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award was bestowed to Boundary Waters, directed by Tessa Blake.
Filmed in the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota, the story follows a 12-year-old boy learning to find his place
among his friends, while navigating personal turmoil in his family.
This year’s 2024 TCFF Best Short Film Award was bestowed to Sarah McCarron’s ‘The Bend,’ the story of a
trans man migrating from Tennessee to MN. Stranded in Wisconsin by car trouble, they encounter a lone
fisherman, and must skillfully navigate to protect themselves while working to understand the subjective lens
we view the world through.
“In celebrating 15 years of the festival, I’m yet again reminded of how essential it is to bring our visual arts
community together — and how our storytellers and what they continue to share with us is what we need right
now. The diversity and inclusivity spotlighted at the festival this year was awe-inspiring,” said TCFF Executive
Director Jatin Setia. “As we continue to champion diverse filmmakers and perspectives, TCFF strives to use our
platform to elevate underrepresented and often marginalized voices through the medium of film. The in-theater
discussions and audience interactions across our events, from laughter to tears, only fortifies our ‘why’.”
The 2024 Audience Awards went to Magpie, directed by Sam Yates (Narrative); 24 Days Without You,
directed by Rebecca Rizzio (Documentary); and Hold, directed by Josiah Junqueira Spencer (Short).
In other awards, actress Daisy Ridley received the Indie Vision — Breakthrough Performance trophy for her
role in Sam Yates’s Magpie, a stylish neo-noir thriller centered on married couple Anette (Daisy Ridley) and
Ben (Shazad Latif), whose lives begin to fracture when their daughter is cast alongside a glamorous movie
star. Writer Tom Bateman was also awarded the Indie Vision – Screenwriting award for Magpie. Actor Josh
Duhamel was honored with the 2024 TCFF North Star Award.
This year’s Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award went to Cristi Rumpza’s Physical Therapy, about
a couple attending a low-cost community education class with the hope of spicing up their sex life. Acclaimed
actor Bill Murray again served as a TCFF guest judge this year, choosing his favorite funny short from a trio
of finalists.
Below is the complete lineup of 2024 award winners. To see a full listing of finalists, or for more information
on dates of upcoming encore screenings and special events, please visit www.TwinCitiesFilmFest.org:
2024 Award Winners
Best Feature Film: Conclave, directed by Edward Berger
The Robert Byrd Best Documentary Award: Camp Ricstar, directed by Sam McConnell
The Bill Cooper Best Minnesota Feature Award: Boundary Waters, directed by Tessa
Best Short Films (Tie): The Bend, directed by Sarah McCarron
Audience Award, Feature: Magpie, directed by Sam Yates (Runner Up: A Real Pain, directed by Jesse
Eisenberg)
Audience Award, Documentary: 24 Days Without You, directed by Rebecca Rizzio (Runner Up: Camp
Ricstar, directed by Sam McConnell)
Audience Award, Short Film: Hold, directed by Josiah Junqueira Spencer
Indie Vision — Breakthrough Performance: Daisy Ridley, actress in Magpie
Indie Vision — Screenwriting: Tom Bateman, writer of Magpie
TCFF North Star Award: Josh Duhamel
Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award: Physical Therapy, directed by Cristi Rumpza
2024 MN Film Critics Alliance Prize: Bob Trevino Likes It, directed by Tracie Laymon
2024 Blncd Aspiring Filmmaker Grant: Harmony Unraveled, directed by Adriana Foreman
ABOUT TWIN CITIES FILM FEST
Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) is a Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization founded by
Executive Director, Jatin Setia. We change perspectives, transform lives, and strengthen our communities by
supporting and spurring on the art of filmmaking. TCFF’s vision is to cultivate immersive experiences that
amplify communities of creation, celebration, and change. To learn more about TCFF, events, film submissions
or to donate, visit twincitiesfilmfest.org.
ABOUT STEARNS BANK
Minnesota-based Stearns Bank National Association is a $3.1 billion, independently-owned financial institution
with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide.
Stearns Bank specializes in nationwide commercial construction lending, USDA and SBA lending, and small
business and equipment financing.
ABOUT MARCUS THEATRES®
Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 995 screens at
79 locations in 17 states under the Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern® by Marcus, and BistroPlex® brands.
Marcus Theatres’ facilities offering the latest amenities and technology in stadium seating, digital sound,
innovative food and beverage concepts and 72-feet-wide UltraScreen DLXs®.
ABOUT THE SHOPS AT WEST END
The Shops at West End is an exciting mixed-use development located in the highly affluent suburb of St. Louis
Park, just minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Located at the intersection of I-394 & 100, The Shops at West
End features restaurants such as CRAVE and THE LOCAL, and various retailers. For a complete list of West
End tenants, please visit www.TheShopsAtWestEnd.com.
CONTACT:
Chad Olson, Nemer Fieger, colson@nemerfieger.com, 952-240-4982
Jatin Setia, Twin Cities Film Festival, jatin@twincitiesfilmfest.org, 651-334-7519
