Muzzle Team
Oct 28, 2026
6th Edition - Awards Event
Best
Feature Film
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - The Riddle Pact Directed by Zsolt Pozsgai.
Country of Origin: Hungary
Runtime: 01:26:32
Overview:
Autumn 1353. In Hungary, a secret royal meeting takes place between the Hungarian, Czech and Polish kings, to which representatives of the smaller nations of the region are invited. These small nations stand in the way of the alliance of kings. A passionate meeting begins, where old grievances are brought to the surface, old friendships and loves are reborn, or destroyed. This is one of the most interesting periods in medieval Eastern Europe. A glimpse of a grand plan that was realised and brought long-lasting peace to the region. But at what cost? Those expecting a traditional costume history film will be disappointed. This is not about costumes - this is about Lives.
Director Biography - Zsolt Pozsgai:
Zsolt Pozsgai /1960/ writer, director. He began his career in the theatre and has written nearly a hundred dramas, most of them directed by himself. His works have been performed in theatres in Europe, Asia and America. He is the best-known Hungarian author in foreign theatres. In addition to his theatre activities, he has been writing screenplays and directing films for twenty years. His filmography includes scripts for TV series – meaning nearly two hundred completed scripts – as well as award-winning feature films. His feature film on Vilmos Zsolnay, THE LOVER OF THE SOIL debuted at the category “A” Goa International Film Festival /India/ – Critics’ Choice Movie Award for Best Foreign Language Film – and has since been screened at festivals around the world. He is currently working on the preparation of two Hungarian films, which he will shoot as writer and director in 2023.
Best
Short Film
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Sensus Mori Directed by Sydney Rincón.
Country of Origin: USA
Runtime: 8:47
Overview:
When an elusive society agrees to be interviewed, a journalist must contend with their ideologies or risk falling prey herself.
In a tumultuous Fall of 1969, Lydia, a spry young journalist searches for a story and a name for herself. This obsession brings her to the Sonder Society, a private collective on the edge of town with a strange way of presenting themselves. When invited to a private dinner, Lydia learns more of the Society's strange manners and of her own sense of self.
Director Biography - Sydney Rincón:
Rincón's approach to filmmaking exercises the art of pretend in storytelling and pageantry through experimental animation, Lynchian theatre, and vibrant performance in pursuit of lively world-building.
Best
Short Documentary
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Directed by Vicki Topaz, Wynn Padula.
Country of Origin: USA
Runtime: 30:00
overview:
Three veterans and their families bravely share their pain, fear, and the difficult realization that they’ve lost time and love that they may never get back again. All three found hope where no one had looked, in the heart of a faithful service dog.
Director Biography - Vicki Topaz, Wynn Padula:
Vicki Topaz is a filmmaker and photographer with a 25-year career. She is the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran who flew missions as a tail-gunner during World War II. He returned home with PTSD, then unidentified. Her struggle to understand her father's demons helped her recognize the same suffering in the veterans and their families amongst us. Inspired by her father, she began her 2010 multimedia project, "HEAL," that shone an early light on these untold tales. Her short film, "Veterans Speak About PTSD," gained national attention, being screened at 17 film festivals. Topaz recently completed the documentary "BY MY SIDE" that follows three veteran families and their healing journeys with service dogs that have saved their lives. Since its release in 2023, the film has been featured in 46 film festivals, earning 12 awards, and 30 community screenings.
Best
Short Animation
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Underneath Directed by Matthew James Bissett-Johnson.
Country of Origin: Australia
Runtime: 2:24
Overview:
A geometric shape chases a blob around an underground complex.
Director Biography - Matthew James Bissett-Johnson:
Matt Bissett-Johnson is an Australian animator and political cartoonist. He wrote and animated for ABC music television show, Recovery, from 1998-2000. He records all the music for his short films.He submits animations to festivals, and in 2020, 2018 and 2015 won the Stanley Award for Animator Cartoonist from the Australian Cartoonists Association.
Best
Feature Screenplay
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Lynn H. Elliott for "Alta California".
Number of Pages: 100
Overview:
A young mixed blood, determined to avenge his native mother’s brutal death, is thrust into a battle of survival and identity as he navigates through the oppressive and inhumane colonizers of California's “Mission Era.”
Writer Biography - Lynn H. Elliott:
I was born in Cardiff, Wales. My degrees are from Nottingham, England and the University of in Santa Barbara (MA/PhD).
I taught English and Creative Writing at California State University Chico. i was Chair of English for six years.
I am an award-winning playwright and screenplay writer, as well as a fiction writer. I love writing stories, delving into characters and creating dialog that functions in many different forms.
Best
Short Screenplay
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - David Ezell for "Occam's Beard".
Number of Pages: 25
Overview:
A former child star spirals as he becomes convinced that the people he loves most have been replaced by impostors.
Writer Biography - David Ezell:
David Ezell is a Manhattan-based writer, actor, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Camelback Films. His work focuses on psychologically driven, character-centered storytelling that blends emotional realism with themes of identity, perception, and memory.
His stage play The Great American Scream Machine was selected as one of the top twenty productions in the 2024 SOOP Playwriting Competition. Recognizing the project’s cinematic potential, Ezell partnered with actor Harry Cooke to develop the work for the screen, helping launch Camelback Films in late 2024 as a platform for distinctive independent productions.
Ezell’s award-winning screenplay Occam’s Beard has received multiple honors for Best Short Screenplay and Best Overall Writing on the international festival circuit, establishing him as an emerging voice in psychological cinema. Drawing on a background that spans both creative leadership and entrepreneurship, he approaches filmmaking with a combination of artistic discipline and strategic vision.
Best
Director
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Paul Taylor for "She Talks In Her Sleep".
Director Biography - Paul Taylor:
Paul is a Multi-award winning and BAFTA-nominated director, writer and producer with over 15 years’ experience in film and television, making films, series and content for the BBC, Sky, CBS, Google, Hyundai, Redbull and many more.
Paul made his name in British comedy starting out on ground-breaking Channel 4 series ‘The Friday Night Project’ and going on to work with major comedy names from Jennifer Saunders to James Corden, Simon Pegg to Sara Pascoe, and most recently working with Joe Lycett on his BAFTA-nominated series ‘Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back’.
In 2019 Paul was BAFTA-nominated for his short horror film The Blue Door staring ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Gemma Whelan, which lead to a development deal with Steven Spielberg’s studio Amblin.
Best
Leading Actress
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Ayla Thompson for "The Landlord".
Actress Biography - Ayla Thompson:
Ayla Thompson is known for Treagens' Black Shadows (2026), The Landlord (2024) and The Delivery Girl (2026).
Best
Leading Actor
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Arthur Campo for Regarde, je ne suis pas eux (Lookouts – I’m Not Like Them)".
Actor Biography - Arthur Campo:
Arthur Campo is an french actor known for Lookouts – I’m Not Like Them (2026).
Best
Supporting Actress
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Renas Salh for "Dark Day".
Actress Biography - Renas Salh:
Renas Salh is an Kurdish actress known for Dark Day (2026).
Best
Supporting Actor
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Samu Puskás for "The Riddle Pact".
Actor Biography - Samu Puskás:
Sam Puskas is known for Under the Sun (2021), Arcadia (2019) and Emberség (2012).
Best
Director of Photography
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Jeffrey Griffith for "Perfidia".
DOP Biography - Jeffrey Griffith:
Jeffrey Griffith is known for Christmas in Mistletoe (2025), Burn House and Starlight.
Best
Editing
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Kasey Flynn for "The Disparity".
Editor Biography - Kasey Flynn:
Kasey Flynn is known for The Disparity (2026). He is an Film Director, Creative Marketer & Content Creator.
Best
Costume Designer
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Emily and Sydney Rincón for "Sensus Mori".
Costume Designers Biography - Emily, Sydney Rincón:
Rincón's approach to filmmaking exercises the art of pretend in storytelling and pageantry through experimental animation, Lynchian theatre, and vibrant performance in pursuit of lively world-building.
Emily is an Costume designer known for Sensus Mori (2025).
Best
Sound
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Hardik Sharma for "Karunalay".
Sound Recorder Biography - Hardik Sharma:
Hardik Sharma known for KARUNALAY (2026).
Best
Original Score
6th Muzzle Awards Winner - Stefano Nicli, Silvano Plank for "MARS REVIVAL".
Composer Biography - Stefano Nicli, Silvano Plank:
Stefano Nicli known for MARS REVIVAL (2026).
Silvano Plank Born at Innsbruck (A) in 03/26/1962 and is also an Italian citizen. Lived in Innsbruck, St. Johann/Tirol (A), Vienna (A), Tehran (Iran), London (GB), and since 1978 at Bolzano. Now living in South Tyrol/Alto Adige at Appiano/Eppan (BZ) - (Italy).