Exciting Announcements: PAIFF Winter Early Bird Bi-monthly Awards

PAIFF is thrilled to unveil the Winter Early Bird Awards! These five outstanding works have earned official selections and will join our screening program at the annual festival in Puerto Aventuras, scheduled for March 25–29, 2026.

Celebrating Creative Talent

We are proud to announce the winners of the Winter Early Bird Awards. These exceptional films showcase the creativity and talent of filmmakers from around the globe. Each selection brings a unique perspective and story to the screen, enriching our festival experience.

Best Feature: Piggy Duster

Directed by Jesse Stewart (USA)

Piggy Duster follows a teenage girl and her stepfather on a rugged camping trip at 10,000 feet. Their adventure takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a curious grizzly bear. This moment interrupts their attempt to repair a strained relationship. The film beautifully explores the emotional terrain of family bonds, outdoor memories, and the delicate balance between fear and connection.

Director Jesse Stewart is a talented filmmaker from Colorado. He began his career in music videos and motorsports coverage before transitioning to award-winning narrative shorts. After leading film and theater projects in China, he founded Epocene Motion Picture Company. His work delves into themes of nature, humanity, and modern life.

Piggy Duster has already screened at prestigious festivals, including the SoHo International Film Festival, Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival, and Port Townsend Film Festival. It even won the Audience Choice for Best Feature Narrative at the Amarillo International Film Festival!

Director Jesse Stewart

Best Documentary (Music Bio): Big Mama Thornton: I Can’t Be Anyone But Me

Directed by Robert Clem (USA)

This documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. From her teenage years performing in traveling shows to her forty-year career as one of the world’s most powerful blues singers, Thornton’s story unfolds through rare footage and the words of those who knew her.

Director Robert Clem is an Alabama-born filmmaker whose work focuses on the history, culture, and contradictions of the American South. He graduated from NYU’s film program and was a former Sundance lab fellow. Clem has created award-winning documentaries on music, politics, and civil rights.

This film continues Clem’s exploration of Southern musical heritage, chronicling a groundbreaking artist whose voice shaped hits like “Hound Dog” and whose songwriting produced classics such as “Ball and Chain.”

Director Robert Clem

Best Documentary Short: ZUBR

Directed by Giles Pitman (United Kingdom)

ZUBR follows bison ranger Donovan Wright as he travels to Poland’s Białowieża Forest, one of Europe’s oldest woodland ecosystems. His journey reveals how European bison are transforming landscapes and restoring natural balance in ways few expected.

Director Giles Pitman, based in Bristol, makes his debut with this film. He draws from his background in natural history storytelling. At just 24, he brings a fresh perspective shaped by expedition culture, conservation work, and a commitment to highlighting overlooked stories.

The film reflects Pitman’s goal of connecting audiences with the natural world. It offers a close look at wildlife restoration and the human dedication behind it.

Director Giles Pitman

Best Short: The Reach

Directed by Luca Caserta (Italy)

The Reach, based on Stephen King’s short story, centers on Stella Flanders, the oldest woman on Goat Island. She has never crossed the body of water separating the island from the mainland. During a bitter winter, she begins to see visions of people from her past inviting her toward a journey she has long avoided.

Director Luca Caserta trained in filmmaking at Cinecittà and later expanded his craft at Centro Sperimentale in Rome. His work has appeared at major international festivals and spans drama, psychological exploration, and supernatural themes.

The film has received strong recognition on the festival circuit, including Best Short at Roswell Shorts. It continues Caserta’s interest in stories that explore memory, identity, and unseen emotional landscapes.

Director Luca Caserta

Best Experimental: The Space Between Attack and Decay

Directed by Jessica Kourkounis (USA)

This experimental narrative follows Ricki Constant, portrayed by veteran actor Boris McGiver. He is a sailing scientist who repeats a strict ritual across a fractured landscape. This routine is disrupted when a chrome apparition and mysterious radio transmissions shift the meaning of his journey. The film merges ritual, surreal imagery, and shifting internal logic into a vivid sensory experience.

Director Jessica Kourkounis is a highly respected photojournalist and unit stills photographer. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Washington Post. Her film and television stills include productions such as Glass, Servant, Concrete Cowboy, Madame Web, and Lady in the Lake.

Her narrative debut has reached audiences across the world. It has screened at the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Lucca Film Festival, Buffalo International Film Festival, and many others, including Roswell Shorts, where it earned Best Experimental Short.

Director Jessica Kourkounis

What This Means for March

All five Winter Early Bird winners are now official selections of PAIFF! They will screen during our festival week from March 25–29, 2026. Together with our Summer and Fall honorees, they advance to compete for awards at our red carpet ceremony in Puerto Aventuras. Congratulations to the filmmakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy!

Thank you for trusting PAIFF with your work. We can't wait to celebrate these incredible films with you!

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