The 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest unveiled its award winners Saturday night at a ceremony held in downtown St. Louis Park. “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson (pictured above), took home the trophy for best feature film; 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest the festival’s official closing night documentary directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall, won best documentary; and “Skunk,” a short film by Annie Silverstein, won the 2015 award for best short.
For the 2015 audience award, John Crowley’s “Brooklyn” took home the feature film trophy (honorable mentions included : “The Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; and “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler). Sarah Smith’s “D.Asian” took the top audience prize for short films (honorable mentions included Adam Burke’s “Boardroom,” Matthew G. Anderson’s “The Caper” and Bruce Southerland’s “The Last Vanish”)
The festival culminated with two “Indie Vision” awards, recognizing standout independent productions released over the last year that broke new creative ground. The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Film Award went to the Dennis Hauck thriller “Too Late,” in recognition of its immersive storytelling techniques. (The film was composed of five unbroken and carefully choreographed 20-minute “acts”) The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Performance Award went to Rosa Salazar, actress in the notable Charles Hood romance “Night Owls,” in recognition of a raw, brilliant and pitch-perfect character arc and a performance that required hitting notes across the emotional spectrum.
Here’s the full slate of 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest award winners, as well as honorable mentions:
Best Feature Film
Winner: “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6fZ-fwDws
Honorable Mentions: “It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong,” directed by Emily Ting; “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley; and “The Quiet Hour,” directed by Stephanie Joalland.
Best Documentary
Winner: “Thank You For Playing,” directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_JKePEFiw
Honorable Mentions: “Man Vs. Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler, directed by Tim Kinzy and Andrew Seklir; “A New High,” directed by Samuel Miron and Stephen Scott Scarpulla; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien.
Best Short Film
Winner: “Skunk,” directed by Annie Silverstein.
Honorable Mentions: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith; “Even the Walls,” directed by Sarah Kuck and Saman Maydani; and “Myrna the Monster,” directed by Ian Samuels.
Audience Award, Feature Film
Winner: “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfmVEvhO70
Honorable Mentions: “Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler.
Audience Award, Short Film
Winner: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith.
Honorable Mentions: “Boardroom,” directed by Adam Burke; “The Caper,” directed by Matthew G. Anderson; and “The Last Vanish,” directed by Bruce Southerland
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Film
Winner: “Too Late,” directed by Dennis Hauck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=670uTzhVMF4
Honorable Mentions: “Anomalisa,” directed by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman; “Thugs: The Musical,” directed by Greg Bro; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Performance
Winner: Rosa Salazar, “Night Owls.”
Honorable Mentions: Brie Larson, “Room;” Saoirse Ronan, “Brooklyn;” Nathan Tymoshuk, “Snail Mail” and “The Writer.”
2015 Changemaker Award: Dr. Heather Huseby, executive director of YouthLink.
2015 Northstar Award for Excellence: John Hawkes.It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong
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ROOM, THANK YOU FOR PLAYING, TOO LATE, BROOKLYN, Win Top Awards at 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest
The 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest unveiled its award winners Saturday night at a ceremony held in downtown St. Louis Park. “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson (pictured above), took home the trophy for best feature film; 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest the festival’s official closing night documentary directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall, won best documentary; and “Skunk,” a short film by Annie Silverstein, won the 2015 award for best short.
For the 2015 audience award, John Crowley’s “Brooklyn” took home the feature film trophy (honorable mentions included : “The Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; and “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler). Sarah Smith’s “D.Asian” took the top audience prize for short films (honorable mentions included Adam Burke’s “Boardroom,” Matthew G. Anderson’s “The Caper” and Bruce Southerland’s “The Last Vanish”)
The festival culminated with two “Indie Vision” awards, recognizing standout independent productions released over the last year that broke new creative ground. The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Film Award went to the Dennis Hauck thriller “Too Late,” in recognition of its immersive storytelling techniques. (The film was composed of five unbroken and carefully choreographed 20-minute “acts”) The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Performance Award went to Rosa Salazar, actress in the notable Charles Hood romance “Night Owls,” in recognition of a raw, brilliant and pitch-perfect character arc and a performance that required hitting notes across the emotional spectrum.
Here’s the full slate of 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest award winners, as well as honorable mentions:
Best Feature Film
Winner: “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6fZ-fwDws
Honorable Mentions: “It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong,” directed by Emily Ting; “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley; and “The Quiet Hour,” directed by Stephanie Joalland.
Best Documentary
Winner: “Thank You For Playing,” directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_JKePEFiw
Honorable Mentions: “Man Vs. Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler, directed by Tim Kinzy and Andrew Seklir; “A New High,” directed by Samuel Miron and Stephen Scott Scarpulla; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien.
Best Short Film
Winner: “Skunk,” directed by Annie Silverstein.
Honorable Mentions: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith; “Even the Walls,” directed by Sarah Kuck and Saman Maydani; and “Myrna the Monster,” directed by Ian Samuels.
Audience Award, Feature Film
Winner: “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfmVEvhO70
Honorable Mentions: “Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler.
Audience Award, Short Film
Winner: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith.
Honorable Mentions: “Boardroom,” directed by Adam Burke; “The Caper,” directed by Matthew G. Anderson; and “The Last Vanish,” directed by Bruce Southerland
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Film
Winner: “Too Late,” directed by Dennis Hauck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=670uTzhVMF4
Honorable Mentions: “Anomalisa,” directed by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman; “Thugs: The Musical,” directed by Greg Bro; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Performance
Winner: Rosa Salazar, “Night Owls.”
Honorable Mentions: Brie Larson, “Room;” Saoirse Ronan, “Brooklyn;” Nathan Tymoshuk, “Snail Mail” and “The Writer.”
2015 Changemaker Award: Dr. Heather Huseby, executive director of YouthLink.
2015 Northstar Award for Excellence: John Hawkes.
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2015 Tallgrass Film Festival Awards, TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, ARMOR OF LIGHT Win Best Film Honors
The 2015 Tallgrass Film Festival announced their filmmaker awards during a rousing ceremony preceding their Closing Night Gala screening of Ian and Eshom Nelms’ WAFFLE STREET on Sunday, October 18 at the Orpheum Theater in Wichita, Kansas.
Matt Sobel’s TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, (pictured above) was named “Best Narrative Feature,” and Abigail Disney & Kathleen Hughes’ ARMOR OF LIGHT, chosen as “Best Documentary Feature.”
Justin Johnson’s DOUBLE DIGITS: THE STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE STAR (pictured above) got the nod for both “Best First Feature,” as well as the Golden Strands Vanguard Award for “Dedication to the Craft of Filmmaking” for the film’s subject, R.G. Miller.
The Vimeo Audience Awards were led by Emily Ting, who added to her big night by receiving the $1000 Narrative prize for ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG. Producer Dennie Aig was on hand to accept the $1000 Documentary prize for Philllip Barbeau’s UNBRANDED. Benjamin Wolff’s BIS GLIECH took home the Audience Award and $500 prize for the short film category. The awards for Emily Ting provided a happy exclamation point to the filmmaker’s return to Tallgrass following her films MAN FROM RENO (2014), THE KITCHEN (2012), and BIG BAD SWIM (2005) (all of which she served as either a producer, associate producer or executive producer).
2015 Tallgrass Film Festival Filmmaker Awards
Vimeo Audience Awards
Audience Award Winning Narrative Film:
($1,000) IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG, Directed by Emily Ting
Vimeo Audience Award Winning Documentary Film:
($1,000) UNBRANDED, Directed by Phillip Barbeau
Vimeo Audience Award winning Short Film:
($500) BIS GLIECH (Germany), directed Benjamin Wolff
Golden Strands Programming Awards
Best Emerging Student Award:
THE GIRL, WHO’S SHADOW REFLECTS THE MOON, Directed by Walaa Al Alawi (Syria)
Best Kansas Short Film Award:
EPIC OF HERSHEY, Douglas McGinness, New York/Wichita, KS
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Female Filmmaker:
Emily Ting, IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG
(Award is the Venus Award which is designed by Glass Artist Claire Anderson
and is a representation of a Paleolithic Era Venus de Lespugue)
Golden Strands Award for Courage in Filmmaking:
PERVERT PARK, Directed by Frida & Lasse Barkfors of Sweden
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Cinematography:
OMO CHILD: THE RIVER AND THE BUSH, Sebastian Humphreys
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Ensemble Cast:
TANGERINE
Golden Strands Vanguard Award for Dedication to the Craft Of Filmmaking:
R.G. Miller, DOUBLE DIGITS (Award designed by Fisch Haus)
Golden Strands Award, Best First Feature:
DOUBLE DIGITS: THE STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD MOVIE STAR, Directed by Justin Johnson
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Documentary Short Film:
LAST DAY OF FREEDOM, Directors Dee Hibbert-Jones/Nomi Talisman
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Narrative Short Film:
GUEST ROOM, Directed by Joshua Tate
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Documentary Feature:
ARMOR OF LIGHT, Abigail Disney & Kathleen Hughes
Golden Strands Award, Outstanding Narrative Feature:
TAKE ME TO THE RIVER, Directed by Matt Sobel
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13th Tallgrass Film Festival Announces Film Lineup; Opens with BAND OF ROBBERS, Closes with WAFFLE STREET
The 13th Tallgrass Film Festival taking place October 14 to 18, 2015, announced the full schedule of 203 films (54 features, 149 short films). Gala selections include the Opening Night film, Adam and Aaron Nees’ comedy BAND OF ROBBERS and the Closing Night selection of Ian and Eshom Nelms’ comedy WAFFLE STREET, bookending Valerie Weiss’ A LIGHT BENEATH THEIR FEET which will screen as the Stubbornly Independent competition winner.
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IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG Starring Jamie Chung to Open 2015 Women In Cinema Showcase
2015 Women in Cinema, Seattle International Film Festival ‘s annual showcase of extraordinary women filmmakers, will take place September 17 to 24, celebrating films from around the world in all genres. The eight-day event will feature 14 exciting features and documentaries, all screening at the SIFF Cinema Uptown on Lower Queen Anne. Five of the directors featured will join us to discuss their films at post-screening Q&As.
The Opening Night film, the charming and incisive It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, stars Seattle favorite Jamie Chung (Golden Space Needle Award – Best Actress, Eden). Director Emily Ting will be in attendance.
The following night welcomes legendary director Penelope Spheeris, who will present her groundbreaking cult hit The Decline of Western Civilization, Part 1 – and then introduce her box-office smash Wayne’s World. Party on.
This year’s lineup also includes Holly Morris’s The Babushkas of Chernobyl (pictured above) (produced by local Seattle writing organization, Hedgebrook); Finding Gastón, a Culinary Cinema selection about the leading farm-to-table chef in Peru; Catherine Hardwick’s latest Miss You Already starring Toni Collette and Drew Barrymore; documentarian Vanessa Hope’s insightful All Eyes and Ears; and maverick filmmaker Ondi Timoner’s Brand: A Second Coming. In addition to attending the screening of her film, Timoner will conduct a documentary filmmaking masterclass.
“Women directors still make up less than 10% of the highest grossing mainstream films each year,” notes SIFF’s Artistic Director, Carl Spence. “That’s partly why we love bringing the work of incredible female filmmakers to our audience.” Adds Beth Barrett, SIFF’s Director of Programming, “And the bonus is that these are simply amazing films. Women in Cinema is our chance to show that there’s every reason to further embrace these exceptional voices.”
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2015 Los Angeles Film Festival Unveils Complete Film Lineup
The 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival, which returns to downtown Los Angeles at L.A. LIVE for a sixth year unveiled a diverse slate of 74 feature films, 60 short films, and over 50 new media works representing 35 countries.
The Opening Night Film is Grandma (pictured above) and there will be Gala Screenings of the first episode of the TV series Scream as well as the feature films Seoul Searching and The Final Girls. Two Pre-Festival Screenings will also be held: Dope will have its LA Premiere on June 8, Inside Out will screen on June 9 and be preceded by a special Master Class with writer/director Pete Docter. This year’s Guest Director is Rodrigo García, Gale Anne Hurd will receive the Jaeger-Lecoultre Glory to the Filmmaker Award and Lily Tomlin will receive the Spirit of Independence Award.
US Fiction Competition (10)
Original voices with distinct visions from emerging and established American independent filmmakers.
3rd Street Blackout, dir. Negin Farsad, Jeremy Redleaf, USA, World Premiere
A Country Called Home, dir. Anna Axster, USA, World Premiere
Bastards y Diablos, dir. A.D. Freese, USA/Colombia, World Premiere
The Girl in the Book, dir. Marya Cohn, USA, World Premiere
How He Fell in Love, dir. Marc Meyers, USA, World Premiere
It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, dir. Emily Ting, USA, World Premiere
Mekko, dir. Sterlin Harjo, USA, World Premiere
Out of My Hand, dir. Takeshi Fukunaga, USA/Liberia, N. American Premiere
Puerto Ricans in Paris, dir. Ian Edelman, USA/France/Czech Republic, World Premiere
Too Late, dir. Dennis Hauck, USA, World Premiere
Documentary Competition (12)
Compelling, character-driven non-fiction films from the U.S. and around the world.
A New High, dir. Samuel Miron, Stephen Scarpulla, USA, World Premiere
The Babuskhas of Chernobyl, dir. Holly Morris, USA/Ukraine, World Premiere
Be Here Now (The Andy Whitfield Story), dir. Lilibet Foster, USA/Australia, World Premiere
Catching the Sun, dir. Shalini Kantayya, USA, World Premiere
In a Perfect World, dir. Daphne McWilliams, USA, World Premiere
Incorruptible, dir. Chai Vasarhelyi, Senegal/USA, International Premiere
Love Between the Covers, dir. Laurie Kahn, USA, U.S. Premiere
Maiko: Dancing Child, dir. Åse Svenheim Drivenes, Japan/Norway, World Premiere
Missing People, dir. David Shapiro, USA, U.S. Premiere
My Love, Don’t Cross That River, dir. Mo-Young Jin, South Korea, U.S. Premiere
Oriented, dir. Jake Witzenfeld, UK/Palestine/Israel, International Premiere
Treasure; From Tragedy to Trans Justice, Mapping a Detroit Story, dir. dream hampton, USA, World Premiere
World Fiction Competition (8)
Unique fiction films from around the world from emerging and established filmmakers, especially curated for LA audiences.
Atomic Heart, dir. Ali Ahmadzadeh, Iran, North American Premiere
Ayanda and the Mechanic, dir. Sara Blecher, South Africa, World Premiere
Elvira, Te Daria Mi Vida Pero La Estoy Usando (Elvira, I’d Give You My Life But I’m Using It), dir. Manolo Caro, Mexico, International Premiere
Flocking (Flocken), dir. Baeta Gardeler, Sweden, North American Premiere
Las Malas Lenguas (Sweet and Vicious), dir. Juan Paolo Arias, Colombia, World Premiere
A Midsummer’s Fantasia, dir. Jang Kun-Jae, South Korea/Japan, U.S. Premiere
Sin Alas (Without Wings), dir. Ben Chace, Cuba, International Premiere
White Moss (Belyy Yagel), dir. Vladimir Tumaev, Russian Federation, International Premiere
Short Films (60): From over 3,000 submissions, the short films selected represent 15 countries, and 50% are directed by women.Short films are shown before features and as part of six short film programs. Shorts will compete for juried prizes for fiction and documentary shorts, as well as an Audience Award for Best Short Film.
Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (27): The Los Angeles Film Festival’s Future Filmmaker Showcase brings to the big screen the best films made by budding young filmmakers from across the country and the globe. In this diverse slate of films, incredibly accomplished high school students will present wild comedies, moving dramas, mesmerizing animation, introspective experimental films and everything in between. Program funded by Lisa Argyros/Argyros Family Foundation, Loyola Marymount University’sSchool of Film and Television and Time Warner Foundation.
Launch (50+)
Independent storytelling crafted through digital media, including music videos, web series, podcasts, interactive games and digital activism shorts.
Making Cool Sh*t: The Music Videos of OK Go (10)
Equally comfortable with filmmaking and songwriting through with visual art and rock concerts, OK Go have bridged art forms that used to be considered distinct. This showcase of their music videos will be followed by an extended talk with frontman and director Damian Kulash.
Episodes: Indie Series from the Web (13)
A showcase of independently crafted web series, celebrating rising show creators whose work is innovative and unfiltered.
Movies For Your Ears: Making Picture-less Films (1)
Creator Jonathan Mitchell explores his podcast The Truth, which showcases crafted, colorful and diverse works of short fiction that are at once cinematic and musical.
Interactive Storytelling: IndieCade Gaming Favorites (9)
Innovation and artistry in interactive media is showcased through a collection of rich, diverse, and culturally significant games on custom gaming PCs provided by Dell Computers.
#BlackLifeBlackProtest (5)
Bridging content creations and social justice issues, this curated selection of socially relevant short films precedes a public dialogue among noted artists, activists and educators.
JASH Presents: An Evening of Buh Comedy
An intimate evening with comedy luminaries screening unreleased videos of their creation along with favorite inspiring videos of their choice. Hosted by Dead Kevin, guests include Doug Lussenhop, Henry Phillips, and more.
Funny or Die’s Make ‘em LAFF Showcase
A live comedy showcase of today’s most diverse and original independent comedic voices, featuring comedians such as Beth Stelling, Solomon Georgio and Chris Garcia, with additional performers to be announced.
Buzz (13)
Los Angeles premieres of celebrated favorites from around the world.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Brand: A Second Coming, dir. Ondi Timoner, UK/USA
Chuck Norris vs Communism, dir. Illinca Calugareanu, UK/Romania/Germany
The Dark Horse, dir.James Napier Robertson,New Zealand
Diary of a Teenage Girl, dir. Marielle Heller, USA
In Football We Trust, dir. Tony Vainuku, co-dir. Erika Cohn, USA
Infinitely Polar Bear, dir. Maya Forbes, USA
JUST ANNOUNCED: Jimmy’s Hall, dir. Ken Loach, UK/Ireland/France
Manson Family Vacation, dir. J. Davis, USA
The Overnight, dir. Patrick Brice, USA
People, Places, Things, dir. James C. Strouse, USA
JUST ANNOUNCED: The Vanished Elephant, dir. Javier Fuentes León, Peru/Colombia/Spain
Victoria, dir. Sebastian Schipper, Germany
Sweet Micky for President, dir. Ben Patterson, Haiti/USA
LA Muse (10)
A competitive section of world premieres of fiction and documentary films that are quintessentially L.A.
A Beautiful Now, dir. Daniela Amavia, USA, World Premiere
Aram, Aram, dir. Christopher Chambers, USA, World Premiere
Can You Dig This, dir. Delila Vallot, USA, World Premiere
Day Out of Days, dir. Zoe R. Cassavetes, USA, World Premiere
The Drew: No Excuse, Just Produce, dir. Baron Davis, Chad Gordon, USA, World Premiere
The Escort, dir. Will Slocombe, USA, World Premiere
Flock of Dudes, dir. Bob Castrone, USA, World Premiere
French Dirty, dir. Wade Allain-Marcus & Jesse Allain-Marcus, USA, World Premiere
No Más Bebés (No More Babies), dir. Renee Tajima-Peña, USA, World Premiere
Weepah Way for Now, dir. Stephen Ringer, USA, World Premiere
Nightfall (8)
From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark. Films premiering for the first time in the U.S. are nominated for the Nightfall Award.
Caught, dir. Maggie Kiley, USA, World Premiere
The Confines, dir. Eytan Rockaway, USA, World Premiere
Crumbs, dir. Miguel Llansó, Spain/Ethiopia/Finland, North American Premiere
Crush the Skull, dir. Viet Nguyen, USA, World Premiere
Dude Bro Party Massacre III, dir. Tomm Jacobsen, Michael Rousselet, Jon Salmon, USA, World Premiere
Plan Sexenal (Six Year Plan), dir. Santiago Cendejas, Mexico, North American Premiere
Ratter, dir. Branden Kramer, USA, LA Premiere
Shut In, dir. Adam Schindler, USA, World Premiere
Zeitgeist (6)
A competitive section of curated, World Premiere films that embody key trends in American independent filmmaking. 2015 captures hard knock, coming of age stories.
A Girl Like Grace, dir. Ty Hodges, USA, World Premiere
Band of Robbers, dir. Aaron Nee & Adam Nee, USA, World Premiere
In the Treetops, dir. Matthew Brown, USA, World Premiere
Manifest Destiny, dir. Michael Dwyer, Kaitlin McLaughlin, USA, World Premiere
Stealing Cars, dir. Bradley Kaplan, USA, World Premiere
What Lola Wants, dir. Rupert Glasson, USA, World Premiere