‘Dreamscape’ Wins Best Drama at Film Fest

The Alliance for Downtown New York’s inaugural Filmmakers-in-Chief, the Neymarc Brothers, won Best Drama for their film “Dreamscape” at the New York Shorts International Film Festival. The festival, which is one of the city’s leading showcases for emerging filmmakers, has become an important platform for short-form cinema, with alumni whose work has gone on to earn Academy Awards and global recognition.

“Dreamscape” is the result of the Downtown Alliance’s first Filmmaker-in-Chief creative residency, a program designed to engage filmmakers to spotlight Lower Manhattan through their storytelling. As part of the residency, the Neymarcs received a $50,000 grant to produce the film on location in the neighborhood. 

The Neymarcs were selected from a pool of 432 applicants by a jury that included Pete Torres (COO of the Tribeca Festival), Khady Kamara Nunez (executive director of the Perelman Performing Arts Center), Kwame Amoaku (deputy commissioner of the Film Office at the NYC Office of Media and Entertainment), Wynn Thomas (production designer of many films including “Hidden Figures,” “A Beautiful Mind” and “Do the Right Thing”) and Jessica Lappin (president of the Downtown Alliance). 

“We’re thrilled that Dreamscape is earning this kind of attention and accolades. Andrew and Remy’s work beautifully captures the character and energy of downtown,” Jessica Lappin, president of the Downtown Alliance, said. 

“Dreamscape” follows 25-year-old Gabriela, a dancer who recently lost her brother, as she battles grief while trying to reach a life-changing audition, her gateway to fulfilling her dream of becoming a professional dancer, set against the backdrop of Lower Manhattan’s cinematic streetscapes.

“What a feeling to see our film resonate so deeply, through characters that find strength in the aftermath of trauma. Being awarded Best Drama at the New York Shorts International Film Festival is such an honor,” the Neymarc Brothers said. “We’re especially grateful for the support we received from the Downtown Alliance because shooting our film ‘Dreamscape’ in downtown Manhattan helped give our story so much life: the light, the colors, the rhythm and the energy of Lower Manhattan ended up making the film’s location a character of its own right.” 

The Neymarc Brothers plan to submit “Dreamscape” to some of the world’s leading film festivals including Sundance Film Festival. South by Southwest and Venice Film Festival, among many others. The duo is also hard at work on their debut feature film, with hopes of beginning shooting in 2026.