The Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (SLGFF) ended its 16th run October 23 with the announcement of its Jury and Audience Awards. Produced by Three Dollar Bill Cinema, and known for offering the best in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cinema, this year’s festival presented over 150 features, documentaries, local films and shorts.
“The festival was extremely successful in showcasing outstanding LGBT cinema,” said Jason Plourde, Programming Director for SLGFF. “Audience members have been raving about the amazing films they’ve seen and appreciate the diverse stories and issues these films presented.”
Jury Awards
Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature awards are presented with a cash prize of $1,000. Short Film and Most Innovative Short Film awards receive a cash prize of $300.
BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE: TOMBOY
Directed by Céline Sciamma
TOMBOY evoked a range of emotions in us from frustration to hope. Beautifully told by writer director Céline Sciamma and with a stunning performance by the lead Zoe Heran it was the clear winner.
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE: THE GROVE
Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson and Tom Shepard
We award Best Documentary to THE GROVE for its thoughtful and compelling examination of the complexity around loss and remembrance, with a surprising reach beyond the landscape of the National AIDS Memorial.
BEST SHORT FILM: CHANGE
Directed by Melissa Osborne
We award best short to CHANGE for its compelling and authentic juxtaposition of the emotionally charged 2008 election of President Obama and the passage of California’s Proposition 8. The film’s heightened visual storytelling and seamless craftsmanship allow the exceptional young actors to soar.
SHORT FILM HONOURABLE MENTION: I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE
Directed by Daniel Ribeiro
The jurors also award an honorable mention to I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE for its richly textured landscape of adolescence which lingers in the memory.
MOST INNOVATIVE SHORT: HALF
Directed by Alex Bohs
We award most innovative short to HALF. Its use of split screen and its intimate style of animation lyrically highlight the connections and disconnections of two young women.
Audience Awards
Favorite Narrative Film: DIRTY GIRL, directed by Abe Sylvia
Favorite Documentary (TIE): WISH ME AWAY, directed by Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf AND VITO, directed by Jeffrey Schwarz
Favorite Gay Short Film: I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE, directed by Daniel Ribeiro
Favorite Lesbian Short Film: YOU MOVE ME, directed by Gina Hirsch
Favorite Transgender Short Film: MIND, directed by Emma Crimmings
Audience Award — Special Recognition: OUTLAND
In addition to rave reviews from audiences, the two-night run of the Australian TV series OUTLAND scored some of the highest votes in the festival.
“We congratulate all the Jury and Audience Award winners and thank every filmmaker who was a part of the 16th Annual Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival,” Plourde concluded.