I have had a blast at ShortFest.
The films were so varied, and even those with similar topics each looked at the subject in a unique way. The filmmakers were fantastic and so enthusiastic, and everyone had a great story to tell. Those with more amateur skills were able to learn from the more experienced, and there seemed to be great camaraderie as filmmakers cheered on the screenings of newfound associations.
Despite the fact that I viewed over a third of the films, I still missed some of the award winners. I can’t imagine what a hefty task it is to whittle down 332 films of such variety to “the best,” and though the words may seem hollow to the participants, everyone should to be proud to be in such good company (on both sides of the awards aisle).
The awards breakdown:
JURY AWARDS:
Best of Fest: "Soft" - I missed this but did hear the buzz.
Future Filmmaker: "Pariah" (read review) - yes, an excellent and deserving film about a girl divided.
Panavision Grand Jury: "Pop Foul" – Another miss for me, but a quick scan of IMDb finds it’s already won 17 other awards
Best Live Action <15 minutes:
1st place: "Contact" (read review) - very clever storytelling, a great unfolding of events
2nd place: "Offside"
Best Live Action >15 minutes:
1st place: "The Tonto Woman" (read review) - this film was just stunningly beautiful, fantastically acted and a complete standout; I’m expecting a feature-length version
2nd place: "Deface" – again, tragically beautiful and well-acted; a deserving film with a powerful message
Best Animation:
1st place: "Madame Tutli-Putli" - miss for me, but those who saw it thought it was great
2nd place: "Love at First Sight"
Best Documentary:
1st place: "Freeheld"
2nd place: "Salim Baba" – missed also, which is a shame because I’m a real sucker for a good doc
STUDENT AWARDS:
Best Student Live Action <15 minutes:
1st place: "Clear Cut, Simple"
2nd place: "Pleasance" – a very lovely and gentle film about sacrifice for a loved one’s happiness
Best Student Live Action >15 minutes:
1st place: "Pariah" (see above)
2nd place: "Cricket Head" - missed, but sounds disturbingly intriguing
Best Emerging Student Filmmaker: "Cricket Head"
Best Student Animation:
1st place: "The Needful Head" (read review) - smooth animation with charming narraction
2nd place: "Windows Masks Doors"
Best Student Documentary:
1st place: "Left in Baghdad"
2nd place: "Unattached"
Kodak Award for Best Student Cinematography:
1st place: Andrew McLeod, "Pleasance" (see above)
2nd place: Carlos Davis Colin Calderón, "If Eyes Can't See"
SPECIAL AWARDS:
Hard C Hi Five to Lo-Fi Award (for Best Low Budget Short): "Egg Love" – ah, funny stuff
Cinema Without Borders Best International Film Award: "Milan"
AUDIENCE FAVORITES:
Live Action:
"The Tonto Woman," "Fool Me Once," "Security," "Deface," "The Wine Bar," "Pariah," "Room 10," "The Postman," "Stars," "High Maintenance," "It Snows in Marrakech"
Animation:
"My Happy End," "The Needful Head," "Sleeping Betty," "Lavatory – Lovestory," " ‘Til Death Do Us Part," "Art’s Desire," "Yours Truly," "The Girl Who Swallowed Bees"
Documentaries:
"Freeheld," "Time Piece," "Spitfire 944," "The Tribe," "Left in Baghdad"
Comedies:
"I Hate Musicals," "The Job," "The Pre-Nup," "Tanghi Argentini," "I’m No Stud," "Waiting for Yvette"