The Berkshire International Film Festival and Berkshire Bank are proud to announce the winner of the 11th annual “Next Great Filmmaker Award” BABY KATE, directed by Jennifer LaFleur.

In accepting the award Jennifer said, “Having grown up and attended college and grad school in Massachusetts, the Berkshires have long been a source of inspiration and creativity. I feel so grateful for this award, especially as it was considered alongside so many wonderful films. I’m looking forward to better days where we can all come back together to sit in a dark room watching stories that make us laugh, make us think, and help us grow our minds and hearts. And I look forward to the day I can bring my newborn daughter back home to introduce her to the magic of the Berkshires. Thank you so much for this honor!”

The other films in competition were: DOUBTS directed by Julie Flanders, EXTRA INNINGS directed by John Gray, GOOD CONVERSATION directed by Jenn Gomez, HUNG UP directed by Damon O’Steen, IRON GRANDMOTHER directed by Emily Sheskin, NICE GUY directed by Mark Cade and THICK AS THIEVES directed by Sam Fichtner.  Berkshire Bank presents a cash prize of $2500 to the winning filmmakers. BIFF and the Berkshire Bank created this award in 2010 to support the work of independent filmmakers around the world. Last year’s award went to Norwegian filmmakers Guro Strand and Petter Heum for their short film FROZEN MEMORIES.

Congratulations Jennifer and the incredible filmmakers, and to Berkshire Bank and all those who voted to support independent filmmakers!