‘Mattapan The Documentary’drew plenty of acclaim in the community for its professional and thorough portrayal of the neighborhood. Now, the production – led by Mattapan teen Moses Sibley – won first place in its category at the Scout Film Festival.

Festival co-founder Anna Colavito said it was the festival’s first year in Boston after being in Vermont for several years. There were more than 3,000 films submitted from 109 countries. Sibley’s documentary won the 18 & Under category for documentary filmmaking.

“When I saw it, I knew it was special not because it was a first-time film, but it has all the qualities of a well-made documentary,” she said.

“We see thousands of these films, and it is really hard to pull off what Moses and his friends did. We really are impressed; it really was one of the highlights of this year’s overall festival.”

Sibley, 14, and his team found out that they won during a screening of the movie at District Hall in the Seaport last fall, with state Rep. Brandy Fluker Oakley – who appeared in the film – breaking the news to the gathering.

“I did get to tell them they won and to see the joy and enthusiasm come out onto their faces was amazing,” she said. “It was the first film they had done at the Teen Center and the first youth-led film in Mattapan. It was truly joy personified.”

Oakley said the documentary had special meaning to her, noting “it was a time where we could show others that we are not what they say we are.”

Said Sibley: “It was a huge moment for me because Scout Film Festival is an international film festival and gets talented people from all over the world to participate…Winning gained us so much already…It really is a big deal and will open a lot of doors for us as young film makers.”