The second annual LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival concluded on Sunday, Sept. 27th with an award ceremony that celebrated the scope and diversity of this year’s films. Filmmakers from across the US and other countries gathered at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook Village (97 Main Street) for the three-day event. The festival screened over 40 feature-length and short music documentaries from 15 countries. Live music performances that included a sold-out Hip-Hop-themed concert and film screening on Saturday night were also featured.

“Beyond the music, what really stood out were the stories,” said Tom Needham, Executive Director, LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival. “These films reminded us that music can change lives. It brings people together. It builds community. It gives artists a way to express themselves in a way that words can’t. That’s a theme we heard over and over again in these documentaries. It really makes a difference, and that’s what this festival is all about.”

LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival Director Tom Needam and Artistic Director Wendy Feinberg presented 14 awards that captured the spirit of the festival and showed how powerful a great music documentary could be.

Paris Barclay, director of “Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It,” which won for both Best US Feature Film and the Feature Audience Award, was not able to attend the festival in person but sent a written thank-you note:

“Thank you @LIMEHOF Documentary Film Festival for honoring our film. We started this project knowing Billy Preston’s music and came out feeling like we knew the man – and loving him. It means a lot to see audiences loving Billy as well and keeping his incredible spirit alive.” — Paris Barclay

“Oh Yeah!” won the award for Best US Short. The film was directed by Nick Canfield, who was also unable to attend the festival in person but provided a written statement: