deadCENTER Film Festival announced its 2012 award recipients on Saturday evening, June 9, 2012. The awards ceremony was held immediately before the free, outdoor screening of “Under African Skies”, on the Great Lawn at the Myriad Gardens.
“This year, deadCENTER Film Festival’s submissions were judged by 25 individuals from across the country, ranging from film critics and distributors, to academics and filmmakers,” said Festival Director Kim Haywood. “Our winners truly represent independent film voices from around the world.”
The 2012 winners are as follows:
Best Narrative Feature, See Girl Run
See Girl Run is what happens when a 30-something woman allows life’s ‘what ifs’ to overwhelm her appreciation for what life actually is. Disregarding her current obligations, she digs into her romantic past in hopes of invigorating her present.
Best Documentary Feature, Beauty Is Embarrassing
Raised in the Tennessee mountains, Wayne White started his career as a cartoonist in NYC. He found success as one of the creators of the Pee-wee’s Playhouse TV show which led to work designing some of the most iconic images in pop culture. The movie features Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Paul Reubens, Gary Panter, Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Feris and many more.
Special Jury Narrative Feature, Somebody Up There Likes Me
Thirty-five years in the life of Max (Keith Poulson), his best friend Sal (Nick Offerman) and a woman they both adore, Lyla (Jess Weixler). The trio stumble through mandatory but seemingly unfulfilling entanglements, at weddings, funerals, hospitals, eateries, divorce courts and the tool shed. A deadpan fable about time sneaking up on and swerving right around us.
Special Jury Documentary Feature, The Queen of Versailles
A character-driven documentary about a family who attempts to build the biggest house in America. The film intimately documents a billionaire’s rise and fall, amidst economic crisis. The vérité narrative explores varying interpretations of the American Dream through character studies of family members and household employees, as it examines the culture of consumerism.
Narrative Short, After School Special
What do we really know about the people around us? A man and a woman have an awkward encounter at an indoor playground in this Neil LaBute penned slice-of-life starring Sarah Paulson and Wes Bentley.
Documentary Short, A Brief History of John Baldessari
A towering figure in the art world, standing at 6’7″, John Baldessari’s epic career crammed into 5 and a half frenzied minutes…narrated by Tom Waits.
Best Student Film, Reprise
Struggling in an abusive same-sex marriage, Meena is forced to confront the reality of her relationship, her life, and the difficult choice between staying and leaving.
Oklahoma Film, Bringing Up Bobby
The story of European con-artist Olive (Milla Jovovich), who flees to Oklahoma with her 10-year-old son in an effort to live out the American Dream. Olive and Bobby blithely charm their way from one adventure to another, but Olive”s criminal past is always in danger of catching up. The stellar cast also features Bill Pullman, Marcia Cross and Rory Cochrane.
Best Short Screenplay, Lightening Round