Canada’s National Screen Institute has selected the first winners of its 2014 Online Short Film Festival.

Clear Blue, directed by Lindsay MacKay, won the $1,250 A&E Short Filmmakers Award for best film, in addition to the $2,000 Shaw Media Fearless Director Award for best film by a female director.

It’s sexy love story about a young lifeguard who falls for a mysterious older woman who swims every morning. The 2011 film premiered at Camerimage and was an official selection at SXSW that year — check out the trailer above, or watch the full release on the NSI website.

“Clear Blue was inventive and inspired: the perfect blend of craft and storytelling. Thanks to director Lindsay, there’s a maturity and soulfulness to the film, evident in the wonderful performances and in every scene,” said jury member Cam Bennett, producer with Manitoba Telecom Services TV, in a statement.

The Seder, directed by Justin Kelly, won the $750 Bite Comedy Award for best comedy.

The year-round online film festival presents three awards, four times a year.The festival typically receives about 250 submissions per call period, said Liz Hover, director of NSI Online. Sponsors and partners include Shaw Media, Telefilm Canada, Blue Ant Media,  A&E Television Networks, and  Netflix.

There is currently a call out for submissions for the second set of awards to be given out in 2014.

From Playback Daily