Jethro Waters’ Gunfighter Paradise captured the prestigious “Best Film” award at the 8th annual MidWest WeirdFest in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The film is a dark comedic examination of the contemporary South. It is as hilarious as it is horrific, and resonates with a genuine understanding of human nature, particularly our violent and religious drives and impulses.

“I am sincerely honored for Gunfighter Paradise to have won Best Film at MidWest WeirdFest,” says Jethro Waters who wrote, directed and co-produced the film. “The dream for any filmmaker is to create work that truly resonates with an audience – and we were so fortunate to have that rare, magical experience, in a proper movie theater, at the world premiere in Eau Claire. My team and I are sending our deepest appreciation for this award, for the festival, and for all the incredible films we were lucky enough to screen alongside.”

Other award-winning films include:

The fest’s “Palmer d’Or Award” was awarded to Zeshaan Younus for his stunning metaphysical thriller The Buildout, executive produced by fest alum Greg Newkirk. The award was instituted in 2023 to honor the memory of Wisconsin sci-fi and Fortean pioneer, Raymond A. Palmer, and recognize excellence in the field today.

“Best Director” was taken by Curtis Anthony Williams for his unforgettable and gut-wrenching neo-noir drama Last Weekend. William’s co-writer Virginia deWitt (Candy Land) won “Best Female Performance”, for her show-stopping portrayal of Cynthia, whose life begins to spiral after she begins a fiery love affair.

“Best Documentary” was awarded to The UFO’s of Soesterberg from director Bram Roza, a fascinating film which examines the Netherland’s most significant UFO wave.

“Best Action Film” was taken by the hilarious 70s/80s action homage Blind Cop 2, from director Alec Bonk. Co-writer Isaac McKinnon’s wonderful portrayal of “Schmidty” – the innocent but eager sidekick to the titular crime fighter of Blind Cop 2 – won him “Best Supporting Male Performance”

And “Best Horror Film” was awarded to the confronting and twisting home invasion chiller Everyone is Going to Die from UK director Craig Tuohy.

“Best Sci-Fi Film” was awarded to Daughter of the Sun. The film echoes the best of 70s genre cinema, both with its fierce immediacy and originality, as well as a heady mix of pending paranormal revelation. The film’s writer/director Ryan Ward also stars as a Tourette’s burdened father, who harbors deep supernatural powers. Ryan won “Best Male Performance” for this bravura portrayal.

The riotous and pitch perfect superhero parody Villains Incorporated, from writer/director Jeremy Warner, captured “Best Comedy Film”. The film stars a cavalcade of superb comic actors, headlined by Mallory Everton (Go West), Colin Mochrie (Whose Line is It Anyway?), and co-writer Jason Gray (Studio C). The film’s scene-stealing GloZell Green won “Best Supporting Female Performance” for her hilarious portrayal of the no-nonsense “Booker”.

“Best Experimental Film” was awarded to The Pocket Film of Superstitions, an evocative and dream-like experience, from UK filmmaker Tom Lee Rutter.

And Justen Patrick Lander’s feature debut, the mesmerizing and mystery ladened Flashlight, captured the “Independent Spirit Award”.

“Best Short Film” was awarded to the frenetic action comedy Leverage from filmmaker Michael Charron.

You, Forever, the experimental and captivating documentary – about Robert Ettinger “the father of cryonics” – from director Brenda Kovrig, captured the fest’s “Best Documentary Short” award.

Kathryn Van Buren was awarded “Best Director – Short Film” for her touching and potent The Third Bedroom. The film’s lead child actress, Ava Torres, won “Best Female Performance – Short” for her moving portrayal of Isla, a young girl who discovers her family’s dark and heart-breaking secret.

Director Jacob Weldon’s Seed, a visceral, hilarious, and subversive horror film took “Best Horror Short”. While the award for “Best Sci-Fi Short” went to the breathtaking T-Minus from L. M. Oliver.

Director Sam Chou’s Red Iron Road: In the Heat, the stunning Santa action-horror-comedy, won “Best Animated Short”.

“Best Comedy Short” was awarded to the disturbingly hilarious existential crisis come first-date disaster, Why Dogs Howl directed by Sandi Johnson and written and produced by Gary Teitelbaum. Teitelbaum also stars in the film, delivering a pitch perfect dead-pan performance, for which he won “Best Male Performance – Short”.

Michael Basha’s confronting yet dreamy Drunk was awarded “Best Experimental Short”. The hilariously off-beat “When You’re Here, You’re Pizza!” from Tim Schwagel captured the fest’s inaugural “Best of the MidWest Short” award.

While “Best International Short” was captured by the action-packed cyberpunk thriller Overclocking from Russia’s Alexander Vikulov.

“Best TV / New Media” was awarded to Insects in the City; the raunchy and hilarious pilot for the animated series from fest alum Mark Polish.

And “Best Music Video” was captured by the potent lyrics and stunning visuals of Cornerboy from German filmmaker Kai Kurve.

MidWest WeirdFest also hosts both a feature and short screenplay competition.

“As a fellow writer, it is always a pleasure to gaze, however briefly, into the minds of aspiring screenwriters and sink into their creative energy as I witness each story unfold,” says returning competition head reader Lisa DeVita; known for her work as an armorer as well as writing the cult horror hit Peelers. “I love how brazen and unapologetic the scripts have been this year… a refreshing reminder that we, both writers and audiences alike, will not be satisfied with the factory-churned dribble that keeps inhabiting our mainstream movie theaters… there is an unquenchable desire for the uncommon, unpopular tales to be told and heard. That’s what keeps me coming back to judge MidWest WeirdFest every year.”

The winning feature screenplay The Age of Revenge was written by Jason H. White. Ryan Hughes’ WiLL took the 1st Runner-up spot. And the competition’s 2nd Runner-up was awarded to Samantha Lee Howell for her screenplay Zombies at Tiffany’s.

The short screenplay competition was won by Joe Lueben for Pandora, Inc.. The 1st Runner-up was The Boneyard by M. r. Fitzgerald. And Stuart Creque’s St. George and the Dragon was awarded 2nd Runner-up.