Should be noted that we're writing this post from the uber cool Uptown Expresso Cafe on Queen Ann as two US filmmakers google search funding in front of us. The chick filmmaker is determined to find the details, while dude filmmaker just wants to go for lunch. Funny. Hope she gets a big cut of that funding she's determined to find, and that he finally gets his sandwich. They've just found the funding options in Canada...uh oh. Should I tell them to leave our funding alone? He's losing this sandwich fight now.
Getting to the business of this post. We're here in Seattle for the fantastic Seattle International Film Festival and most specifically their ShortsFest Weekend. We can now also tell you that our publisher, Kellie Ann Benz, is here as one of the jury members for their weekend short film extravaganza. So, I'll let Kellie take the post over from here.
Ola! Kells Bells here and super happy to report that the winners of the ShortsFest Weekend have now been chosen. I was lucky enough to be on the panel with two other super smart short film know-it-alls (Hello Bill, Hello Jason) and after viewing some 170+ films we FINALLY chose our faves.
I can tell you that I didn't have to fight too hard for mine as there was a pretty good consensus amongst the group, though I would have happily given honorable mentions to about 20 others films, we had to cap it at the few which we simply HAD to recognize.
So here's the official rundown straight from the SIFF site:
ShortsFest Award Winners
Grand Jury Prizes
Narrative – Time Freak, directed by Andrew Bowler (USA) Jury statement: A hilarious, original take on time travel that reminds us all to embrace the moment.
Documentary – Library of Dust, directed by Ondi Timoner and Robert James (USA) Jury statement: This real-life ghost story is a startling reminder of the strength of spirit and compels us to recognize the tragedy of overlooking the spirits of those still with us.
Animation – The Eagleman Stag, directed by Mikey Please (USA) Jury statement: With a monochromatic palette, it provides a colorful tale of life and rebirth.
Documentary – Library of Dust, directed by Ondi Timoner and Robert James (USA) Jury statement: This real-life ghost story is a startling reminder of the strength of spirit and compels us to recognize the tragedy of overlooking the spirits of those still with us.
Animation – The Eagleman Stag, directed by Mikey Please (USA) Jury statement: With a monochromatic palette, it provides a colorful tale of life and rebirth.
Special Jury Prizes
Narrative:
Howard From Ohio, directed by SJ Chiro (USA) Jury statement: It's a simple tale with a straightforward honesty seldom seen on screen.
Our Ship, directed by Garon Campbell (South Africa) Jury statement: A heartwarming story that underscores the importance of family loyalty.
Animation:
New Digs, directed by Martin Sen (South Africa) Jury statement: A charmingly ironic tale about having faith in the people who love you.
And I was especially pleased to see such a big selection of Canadian fare in the roster for this year's festival. We wrote about this back in early May, click here for that post.
Winners in the Narrative and Animation categories can now leverage this win to go after Oscar Nominations (SIFF is Academy accredited) and we hope that they do go after it. Regardless of what they do now, we loved these films and we hope that by highlighting them, you'll get to see these films AND their filmmakers as their careers continue to enlighten and entertain us.
Also super happy to see that Canadian film, and a Shorts Report favorite, Transmission got noticed in the screenplay category here at SIFF.
ShortsFest Screenwriting Awards
Jury Award
Deeper Than Yesterday, directed by Ariel Kleiman (Australia) Jury statement: Had volume and depth, reflecting the madness of close quarters in long periods of isolation, vaguely reminiscent of Gorki's Lower Depths.
Special Mentions
Transmission, directed by Randall Okita (Canada) Jury statement: Minimalist, simple line revealing a compelling performance without much dialogue.
Our Ship, directed by Garon Campbell (South Africa) Jury statement: Got to love a guy who does what he can for his young son to bring hope and optimism.
And no, I didn't get to hang with cool boots screenwriter Juror Tom Skerritt. He made his choices in his own actor's bat cave here in Seattle, as I didn't see him around at all.
If you're looking for the full run down on the ShortsFest weekend awards, click here. For now, I have to get to work on a story about online distribution that I think you're gonna like. Catch ya on the flip side (which in this case means over at the NSI site - where the best industry information is to be found, yo!)
Au Revoir Seattle, you've been a good weekend jaunt!