The National Screen Institute has selected the first winners of its 2014 NSI 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.

“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 MTS 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, Liz Hover, director of NSI Online, told Playback.

The independent jury for this latest call period was made up of filmmaker and writer Kellie Ann Benz, filmmaker Dane Clark, and Bennett.

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