2012 Woodstock Film Festival Maverick Awards
HONORARY MAVERICK AWARD
Acclaimed director Jonathan Demme will receive the Honorary Maverick Award at the 13th Annual Woodstock Film Festival.
The veteran director, whose documentary I'm Carolyn Parker: The Good, The Mad and The Beautiful screened at last year's festival, is best known for his films Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, The Agronomist and Stop Making Sense.
This glimpse at his career, spanning four decades, clearly illuminates what makes Demme the Woodstock Film Festival 2012 choice for the Maverick Award. He courageously tackles challenging and controversial subjects; and in doing so, whether he is portraying Anthony Hopkins as the terrifying Hannibal Lecter or Tom Hanks as an early victim of AIDS, his characters emerge with unusual depth and humanity. What's more, his stories are not only thoughtful, they are as equally absorbing and entertaining. Read entire release here...
Received a handcrafted trophy designed by Steve Heller.
MEERA GANDHI GIVING BACK AWARD
The Woodstock Film Festival is proud to announce the recipient of the 2nd Annual Meera Gandhi Giving Back Award as Tim Blake Nelson.
Known for his diverse roles in film, Nelson has starred in acclaimed hits like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Incredible Hulk, Syriana, Holes and the 2011 closing night film at the Woodstock Film Festival, Detachment. Nelson is also an accomplished director, singer and playwright. His directing credits include Leaves of Grass, The Grey Zone (a 2002 Woodstock Film Festival Official Selection) and O.
The Giving Back contribution Nelson receives will go to the 52nd Street Project in NYC. The project brings together kids ages (9 to 18) from the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood with theater professionals to create original works on stage. The primary activity is to present a free theater to a general audience with a deeper purpose of using the art form of theater to engage children's imaginations, broaden their means of expression and increase their sense of self-worth, their literacy skills and their appreciation of the arts.
Recipient will receive a a $5000 cash award to donate to charity of choice and a handcrafted trophy designed by Steve Heller
TRIBUTE TO BINGHAM RAY
A special Tribute to Bingham Ray was included in the ceremony.
Bingham Ray was a long-time advisory board member, distributor and producer, celebrated for his colorful ways. Named Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society in 2011, Ray was a major player in the independent film world. He was a co-founder of the independent film production company October Films in 1991 and was its president until 1999, when USA Networks bought it. October Films produced the highly acclaimed Secrets & Lies and The Apostle, starring Robert Duvall, among others.
In 2001, Ray became president of United Artists, overseeing the production of Bowling for Columbine and Hotel Rwanda. From United Artists, Ray went on to join Sidney Kimmel Entertainment. Immediately prior to joining the San Francisco Film Society, Ray was a programming consultant to the Film Society of Lincoln Center and was an adjunct professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. His tenacity and passion will always be remembered.
The Woodstock Film Festival honors his dedication to fiercely independent filmmaking.
GIGANTIC PICTURES AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE
CALIFORNIA SOLO
Directed by Marshall Lewy
Jury:
Thelma Adams
Lori Singer
Gary Springer
Honorable Mention:
FIRST WINTER
Directed by Benjamin Dickinson
EXIT ELENA
Directed by Nathan Silver
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Sponsored & Presented by Films We LIke
SHEPARD AND DARK
Directed by Treva Wurmfeld
Jury:
Rachel Grady
Barbara Kopple
Jedd Wider
Honorable Mention:
OMA & BELLA
Directed by Alexa Karolinski
EDITING AWARD - FEATURE NARRATIVE
Sponsored by Technicolor PostWorks New York
CALIFORNIA SOLO
Edited by Alex Jablonski
Directed by Marshall Lewy
EDITING AWARD - FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Sponsored by Technicolor PostWorks New York
SHEPARD AND DARK
Edited by Sandra Adair, A.C.E.
Directed by Treva Wurmfeld
Honorable Mention:
I AM NOT A HIPSTER
Directed & edited by Destin Daniel Cretton
Jury:
Sarah Flack
Sabine Hoffman
Bill Pankow
Jury:
Bob Eisenhardt
Sabine Hoffman
Michael Taylor
Honorable Mention:
VIRGIN TALES
Directed by Mirjam von Arx
DIANE SELIGMAN AWARD FOR BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Sponsored by Lowel Light & Technicolor PostWorks NY
EL ULTIMO HIELERO (The Last Ice Merchant)
Directed by Sandy Patch
Jury:
Isil Bagdadi
Lisa Gossels
Steve Savage
Todd Wider
DIANE SELIGMAN AWARD FOR BEST SHORT NARRATIVE
Sponsored by Lowel Light
CURFEW
Directed by Shawn Christensen
Jury:
Brian Devine
Timothy Hutton
Matt Parker
Honorable Mention:
JULIA
Directed by Danielle Krudy
DIANE SELIGMAN AWARD FOR BEST STUDENT SHORT
Sponsored by Lowel Light
PAST DUE
Directed by Denise Plumb (AFI)
Jury:
Amy Gossels
Jonathan Gray
Marie Therese Guirgis
BEST ANIMATED SHORT
Sponsored by Blue Sky Studios
JUNKYARD
Directed by Hisko Hulsing
Jury:
Signe Baumane
Bill Plympton
Chris Wedge
HASKELL WEXLER AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Sponsored by Panavision, NY
NOR’EASTER
Director of photography Ian Bloom
Directed by Andrew Brotzman
Honorable Mention:
VIRGIN TALES
Directed by Mirjam von Arx
Jury:
Haskell Wexler, A.S.C.
The following comment was released by Mr. Wexler regarding the film: "I would like for the cinematography award to go to Ian Bloom for Nor'Easter. To direct the eye throughout the film, he employs creative focus in daring ways which, although excellent photography, is still subtle, not calling attention to itself. Camera movement is integrated with sly framing. A good example is the scene between David Call and Haviland Morris, where she puts his hand on her chest as the camera moves in. It tilts up to her right hand on her neck, her right hand holding his against her heart. The camera continues a slow, hesitant move to her wedding ring. I'm looking forward to more of Ian Bloom's shooting."
AUDIENCE AWARD - FEATURE NARRATIVE
ANY DAY NOW
Directed by Travis Fine
AUDIENCE AWARD - FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
ONCE IN A LULLABY
Directed by Jonathan Kalafer
