January 2019
Atomic Homefront – Rebecca Cammisa
Rebecca Cammisa (USA), Atomic Homefront, Doc Feature – Cammisa, a two-time OSCAR®-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker delivers a spine chilling tale of nuclear radiation in our own back-yards and the shocking denial of responsibility from those whose very purpose is to safe guard citizens. Atomic Homefront probes the devastating impact of the illegal dumping of radioactive waste in North St. Louis communities, and the moms-turned-advocates fighting for answers. It is a mind-boggling indictment of ongoing government inaction and a tribute to the everyday neighbors fighting to make a difference. With gritty filmmaking and raw, real emotional subjects – Cammisa and her talented team drives awareness, a very real sense of urgency and a determined call-to-action for viewers everywhere. In collaboration with HBO, Producers Larissa Bills and Tony award-winner James B. Freydberg, Editor Emmy-nominated Madeleine Gavin and Claudia Raschke, DOP for two Oscar-nominated films.
The Kodiak Queen – Rob Sorrenti
Rob Sorrenti (United Kingdom), The Kodiak Queen, Doc Short – Narrated by Academy Award winner Kate Winslet – The Kodiak Queen is about the ground-breaking transformation of a decorated WWII warship that survived Pearl Harbor, into an artificial reef, dive site and art installation by Sir Richard Branson in the British Virgin Islands. The project was designed to inspire a generation of ocean lovers, encourage tourism, support marine life conservation and help children across the BVI learn to swim. After the devastating Hurricane in 2017 it also became an ongoing fundraiser for the people of the BVI – benefiting local children and island clean up. Sorrenti captures the flavor of this multi-dimensional doc including a respect for history and the entrepreneurial enthusiasm and passion poured into the project. With beautiful cinematography and a tight and lively edit, Kodiak Queen reflects the incredible spirit of this project brilliantly inspiring anyone who love the ocean, art, activism and community to make a difference.
Rob Fruchtman, Cornelia Ravenal, Mikael Södersten and Wendy Sax (USA), Moving Stories, Doc Feature – Three-time Emmy-winner Fruchtman and this exceptional team show the power of human spirit when a NYC dance company works with youth from conflict-torn regions around the world. Heart-breaking, heart-warming, captivating with beautiful craft.
Erik Osterholm (USA), Ascending Afghanistan, Doc Feature – Deft direction from Emmy-winner Osterholm (Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown) follows a female mountaineering team navigating their first expedition and fight for recognition. With unspeakable violence toward women it skillfully and emotionally is a metaphor for the ascent of women in Afghanistan.
Ben Lawrie (United Kingdom), Jaguar: Going Electric, Doc Feature – BAFTA nominee Lawrie presents the journey of traditional British car maker Jaguar’s first electric car – where technical excellence meets exquisite craftsmanship and extreme testing. Lush cinematography drives a tight narrative. Narration by BAFTA nominee Mark Strong (The Imitation Game).
Oliver Goetzl (Germany), White Wolves – Ghosts of The Arctic, Wildlife – Award winning Goetzl’s impactful storytelling combined with exceptional, never-before-seen footage to deliver a dramatic and touching story of a wolf family in the unforgiving Arctic. Lush, pain-staking and original cinematography, riveting narrative and emotional ride. Aired PBS and CBC.
Jim Brown (USA), Holly Near: Singing For Our Lives, Doc Feature – Four-time Emmy winner Brown illustrates the power of song in the struggle for equality through activist Holly Near’s 40-year career in advocating social justice. Colorful and insightful commentary from Oscar winner Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinham, Kevin Bacon and Tom Hayden. Aired on PBS.
Jordan Manley (Canada), Treeline, Doc Short – Scientists, skiers and healers lead viewers around the world to explore our ancient story through trees. Evocative visuals and exquisite sound design create an almost meditative and spiritual journey guided by captivating interviewees connected to something bigger then themselves. A Patagonia Films production.
Ian Mauro (Canada), Beyond Climate, Doc Feature – Narrated by celebrated TV host David Suzuki (The Nature of Things), Beyond Climate explores the human and environmental impacts of climate change through the collective wisdom of Indigenous leaders, local communities, scientists and policymakers. Lavish visuals and potent narrative.
Susan Scott (South Africa), STROOP – Journey into the Rhino Horn War, Doc Feature – A dramatic look from the front lines of rhino poaching from the unprecedented access of rangers, wildlife trafficking dens and local communities. A roller-coaster ride through Africa and Asia examines a heart-breaking reality and social causes of this species genocide.
Amy Marquis and Dana Romanoff (USA), Confluence, Documentary Feature
Andrew Simpson (Canada), Wolves Unleashed – Against All Odds, Documentary Feature
Bettina Kolb and Eva Richter (Germany), Digital Warriors – Women Changing the World, Documentary Feature
Brett Nicoletti, Smile Films, Inc. (USA), The Running Man of Pasadena, Documentary Short
Dan Napoli (USA), 50 Summers, Documentary Feature
Dan Shadur (Israel), King Bibi, Documentary Feature
Danny Kim (USA), Ocean Quest XPRIZE Competition Documentary, Documentary Feature (Student)
Ewa Marcinowska (Poland), Accused of Witchcraft, Documentary Short
Isabelle Depelteau (Canada), Mental States, Documentary Feature
Jon Osaki (USA), ALTERNATIVE FACTS: The Lies of Executive Order 9066, Documentary Feature
José Pablo Castillo Valverde (Costa Rica), A Festival in Liberia, Latin / Hispanic, Research, History / Biographical
Kay Milam (USA), The Butterfly Trees, Documentary Feature, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Laura Plancarte (Mexico), HERMANOS, Documentary Feature
Lizbeth Chappell (USA), We Are Still Here, Documentary Short
Mariam El Marakeshy (Turkey), Transit, Documentary Short
Michi Marosszeky and Paul Sullivan (Australia), The Day I Got My Dad Back, Documentary Short
Myles Matsuno (USA), First to Go: Story of the Kataoka Family, Documentary Short
Oliver Goetzl (Germany), WHITE WOLVES – GHOSTS OF THE ARCTIC, Direction, Editing, Cinematography, Nature / Environment / Wildlife
Paul Van Ness and Megan K DeFranza (USA), Stories of Intersex & Faith, Documentary Feature
Penny Lee (USA), Through Chinatown’s Eyes: April 1968, Documentary Short
Robert J. Barnhart (USA), A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin, Documentary Feature
Roger Lindley (USA), The Kurdish factor, Documentary Feature
Sandra Meijer and Kalien Blonden (Netherlands), Maxima Centre, Documentary Feature
Sarah Fodey (Canada), The Fruit Machine, Documentary Feature
Shane Anderson (USA), Run Wild Run Free, Documentary Feature
Stephen W. Mackey (USA), This Business Of Autism, Documentary Feature
Tatiana Issa (USA), The Architecture of TADAO ANDO, Documentary Feature and Yves Saint-Laurent: My Marrakesh, Documentary Feature
Tiffany Steeves, Daniel Enrique Chavez Ontiveros and Erendira Olivera Benitez (USA), Putting Safety on the Front Burner, Documentary Short and Yes She Can, Documentary Short
Tim Gray (USA), Lifeline: Pearl Harbor’s Unknown Hero, Documentary Feature
Will Schwarz (USA), BURN: The Lynching of George Armwood, Documentary Short
Click the laurels for AWARD OF MERIT winners
Click the laurels for AWARD OF RECOGNITION winners
