An intimate dinner celebrating the diverse achievements of Academy Award winning actress, author and entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow was followed last night by the Sun Valley Film Festival Awards Bash, where Science Fair, directed by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster won the festival’s top prize – Audience Award. The Festival awarded over $22,500 in cash prizes and countless mentorship opportunities to independent filmmakers. Special guests Sir Sly brought down the house as filmmakers, attendees and special guests raised a glass to toast another successful Festival.
Film Awards
Audience Award
WINNER: Science Fair, directed by Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster
Producer’s Vision Award – This award recognizes a producer’s ability to keep a dramatic, feature length film in focus during the journey of the project.
WINNER: Outside In, produced by Mel Eslyn and Lacey Leavitt; executive produced by Jay Duplass and Mark Duplass; directed by Lynn Shelton
One in a Million Awards – The One in a Million Awards honor feature length stories made for under one million dollars. One narrative and one documentary film are each awarded.
NARRATIVE WINNER: Nona, directed by Michael Polish, produced by Kate Bosworth
DOCUMENTARY WINNER: Minding the Gap, directed by Bing Liu
The Shorty Award – The best short film across all categories.
WINNER: Uzma the Greatest, directed by Christopher Hawthorne
Gem State Award – presented by Festival sponsor Zions Bank, this $1,000 jury prize recognizes an Idaho filmmaker whose work best reflects the beauty and diversity of the Gem State.
WINNER: Haymaker, directed by Robert Moncrief
SVFF Film & Screenwriting Competition Winners
Nat Geo WILD TO INSPIRE – The lucky winner will get to try their hand at filmmaking National Geographic style as they depart on an expedition to Africa to document wildlife for Nat Geo WILD viewers
WINNER: The Embodiment of Hope, directed by Marvi Lacar and Benjamin Lowy
High Scribe – The competition gives finalists an opportunity for one-on-one meetings with some of the industry’s finest to discuss their work; the winner receives mentoring from an experienced professional. The lab host was Jay Duplass and judge was Kevin Walsh.
WINNER: Dark Horizons, by Carlo and Erin Carere
1 Potato Winner – The short screenplay competition awards the screenwriter a $5,000 stipend to help shoot their film in Idaho.
WINNER: The Hole Truth, directed by Irish Johnston
The Film Lab – Tito’s Handmade Vodka presented The Film Lab, hosted by Trevor Groth. Works-In-Progress films duked it out for $5,000 in finishing funds, and received the unique experience of a ‘soft launch’ as they work to finalize their film.
WINNER: A Name Without a Place, written and directed by Kenny Riches
Future Filmmaker Forum – showcases student-made films and encourages students in their craft, storytelling, and self-expression. The Sun Valley Film Festival Future Fimmakers Forum is presented by Bex Wilkinson & Peter Burke, with support from the Marshall Frankel Foundation and COX.
WINNER: Aftershock, directed by Ryan Beard
SVFF Special Awards
SVFF VISION AWARD – pays tribute to an individual who has provided the keen insight, influence, and initiative to fulfill a creative vision.
HONORED: Gwyneth Paltrow
PIONEER AWARD – honors a producer or individual whose career choices are reflective of a true trailblazer.
HONORED: Kate Bosworth
HIGH SCRIBE AWARD – presented to a screenwriter who participates in a discussion on their current script and participates in a table read.
HONORED: Jay Duplass and Lynn Shelton
RISING STAR – presented to a breakthrough artist or filmmaker.
HONORED: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
SNOW ANGEL AWARD – given for outstanding advocacy work with a focus on environmental sustainability.
HONORED: Gregg Renfrew and Beautycounter