Brunswick School Alum Wins Top Prize From Greenwich International Film Festival

GREENWICH, CT — The Greenwich International Film Festival (GIFF) announced recently that "The First Wave," a film directed by Matthew Heineman, won the festival's 2022 Best Social Impact Film Award.

Heineman, who grew up in Darien and New Canaan and graduated from Brunswick School in Greenwich, won a $10,000 cash prize, underwritten by Nick and Ann Young. This is Heineman's third time winning a GIFF film award (2021 and 2016).

"We are proud to present Matt Heineman with this prestigious award. He exemplifies the type of filmmaker we like to honor - one who has committed his time and energy to creating films that inspire and impact positive social change," said GIFF Executive Director Ginger Stickel in a news release.

"The First Wave," which was acquired by National Geographic and shortlisted for an Oscar, documents the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic, and spotlights the brave health care workers at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, N.Y. who were on the frontlines trying to keep the public safe.

"Employing his signature approach of character-driven cinema vérité, Heineman embeds with a group of doctors, nurses and patients on the frontlines as they all desperately try to navigate the crisis," the description of the film on National Geographic says. "With each distinct storyline serving as a microcosm through which we can view the emotional and societal impacts of the pandemic, 'The First Wave' is a testament to the strength of the human spirit."

Check out the trailer for "The First Wave" below:

The 2022 Awards Jury for GIFF included actress and humanitarian Deborra-lee Furness, writer and actor Chris Erric Maddox, documentarian S. Casper Wong and philanthropist Ann Young.

The jurors were responsible for screening and reviewing nominated films, and selecting the winners. In total, eight films ranging from observational documentary to narrative were nominated.

Narrative Honorable Mention was awarded to "Casablanca Beats," a film in which a former rapper and current teacher encourages students to free themselves from the weight of traditions to live their passion and express themselves through hip hop culture. The film was directed by Nabil Ayouch.

The Documentary Honorable Mention was awarded to "Young Plato," an observational documentary set in post-conflict Belfast’s Ardoyne, where a marginalized, working class community has been plagued by poverty, drugs and guns. The film was directed by Declan McGrath and Neasa Ní Chianáin.

A Q&A with the nominated filmmakers is available to watch here.

GIFF is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that bridges the worlds of film and philanthropy with year-round programming including films, panels and special events.

On May 25, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the world renowned actor, singer, songwriter, playwright and film director, will be honored by GIFF with the Changemaker Award at the annual Changemaker Gala.

Click here for more information on GIFF.