It’s a Tie! ‘Conclave’ and ‘September 5’ Both Win Middleburg Film Festival’s Audience Award

You can almost hear Ingrid Bergman say, “It’s a tie…” like she did when she presented Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn Best Actress in 1968. In a surprise announcement, the Middleburg Film Festival revealed that two films took this year’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Film: Edward Berger’s Conclave and Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5. Bergman would be proud considering that her daughter, Isabella Rossellini (an honoree at this year’s festival), is a member of the ensemble of Berger’s thriller.

Clarence and I attended screenings of both films this past weekend, and they were hotly talked about for the duration of the festival. I overheard other press members in line being surprised by Fehlbaum’s directorial effort, and the Saturday evening screening of Berger’s film might be the most packed house I have seen in the two years I have attended the festival. Both films are about a pursuit of a kind of truth–perhaps with an election looming, that theme subconsciously resonated with audiences.

Check out Middleburg’s full press release below!

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Middleburg, VA, October 22, 2024 – The Middleburg Film Festival announced its 2024 Audience Award winners, recognizing the films that resonated most with filmgoers following the conclusion of the four-day festival on Sunday, October 20. In an unprecedented tie, CONCLAVE and SEPTEMBER 5 were both awarded the Audience Award for Best Narrative Film.

CONCLAVE screened as the Saturday Centerpiece with director Edward Berger and Isabella Rossellini in attendance. Rossellini was recognized with the Festival’s Agnès Varda Trailblazing Film Artist Award at a standalone, careerspanning conversation on Saturday. Rossellini also joined Berger for a postscreening conversation on Saturday evening. The film follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting the new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Berger attended MFF in 2022 with All Quiet on the Western Front which went on to win four Academy Awards.

From director Tim Fehlbaum, SEPTEMBER 5 recounts the 1972 Munich Olympic hostage crisis from the perspective of the ABC Sports crew and their coverage of the events. Representing the film in Middleburg was actor John Magaro who plays the young, ambitious producer Geoff Mason. He participated in two post-screening discussions.

The Audience Award for Best Documentary Film went to MARTHA from director R.J. Cutler who was in attendance to discuss his film following the Saturday screening of the film. Through intimate interviews with the film subject
and many from her inner circle, this definitive documentary on Martha Stewart traces her rise from Wall Street superstar to her reign as the original influencer.

THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG has won the Audience Award for Best International Film. Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s thriller centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an
investigative judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts, he realizes that his job is more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife and daughters. The film is Germany’s official Oscar submission for Best International Feature.

“On behalf of our audience, we are delighted to recognize these filmmakers and their work. Their stories deeply resonated with our filmgoers, for both their exceptional storytelling and craft,” said MFF Executive Director Susan Koch.

“We are so grateful to our filmgoers who turned out in record numbers this year,” she added. MFF audiences were given the opportunity to cast ballots for their favorite festival films following each screening. This year’s festival featured 43 films including awards contenders, thought-provoking documentaries and critically acclaimed international features as well as a variety of special guests and conversations.

“A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s festival such a resounding success,” said MFF Founder and Board Chair Sheila Johnson. “We’re incredibly grateful to the filmmakers and distributors for bringing us their films and insights, and to our sponsors, audience members, staff, and volunteers for their unwavering support.”

The Coca-Cola Company is the Festival’s Presenting Sponsor. FedEx and Comcast NBC Universal’s Black Experience on Xfinity are this year’s Premier Sponsors. The Washington Post is the Founding Media Sponsor.