KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON, directed by Al Hicks is the winner of the Vimeo Audience Award Documentary Feature, and THE DAVID DANCE, directed by Aprill Winney is the winner of Vimeo Audience Award Narrative Feature at the12th annual Tallgrass Film Festival. Shot over the course of five years by first time filmmaker Al Hicks, KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON depicts a 23-year-old, blind piano prodigy, Justin Kauflin, and music legend and teacher Clark Terry, 89. A winter drama set in Buffalo, NY, THE DAVID DANCE tells the story of David, who is soft spoken, shy and unsure of himself. However, as his on-air alias ‘Danger Dave,’ the host of “Gay Talk,” he’s poised, witty, and every listener’s best friend! Then life one day throws him a lemon. Past and present intertwine to tell the story of a man learning to love and accept himself.
Vimeo Audience Awards
Vimeo Audience Award Short ($500): FOOLS DAY, Dir. Cody Blue Snider
Runner Up: THE PHONE CALL, Dir. Matt Kirby
Vimeo Audience Award Documentary Feature ($1,000): KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON, Dir. Al Hicks
Runner Up: THE LIFE AND MIND OF MARK DEFRIEST, Dir. Gabriel London
Vimeo Audience Award Narrative Feature:($1,000): THE DAVID DANCE, Dir. Aprill Winney
Runner Up: A IS FOR ALEX, Dir. Alex Orr
Programming Awards
Best Emerging Filmmaker Short: LAUNDRY DAY, Dir. Michael Stevantoni
Best Kansas Short: COUNTER PARTS, Dir. Patrick Rea
Golden Strands Documentary Awards
Outstanding Documentary for Cinematic Legacy: A LIFE IN DIRTY MOVIES, Dir. Wiktor Ericsson
Outstanding Documentary in Recognition of Social Action: SILENCED, Dir. James Spione
Outstanding Documentary: THE OVERNIGHTERS, Dir. Jesse Moss
Golden Strands Narrative Awards
Outstanding New Talent: John Diaz, FIVE STAR
Outstanding Ensemble Cast: The Cast of LOVE LAND, Dir. Joshua Tate
Outstanding Cinematography: Sean Porter, KUMIKO: THE TREASURE HUNTER
Outstanding Narrative: MAN FROM RENO, Dir. David Boyle