It worked so well in 2010 that Pink returned to her post soaring above the Grammys audience while she performed “Try” at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Pink’s Cirque du Soleil moves had the audience on its feet, but that wasn’t the end of her Grammy act. After landing on the stage, she fake-fought with a dancer in a beautifully choreographed show of strength. Pink then followed up “Try” by dueting with Nate Ruess from fun. on their hit single, “Just Give Me a Reason.”
Beyonce and Jay Z Open the Grammys with “Drunk in Love” Performance
Beyonce and Jay Z took to the Grammy stage on January 26, 2014 to perform their duet “Drunk in Love” off of Beyonce’s latest album, Beyonce. The power couple “surfboarded” all over the stage, delivering a sexy performance that bordered on not-safe-for-kids.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Perform “Same Love” While 33 Couples Marry on Live TV
The Grammys broke new ground this year with 33 couples of all ages and races, gay and straight, exchanging vows during the January 26, 2014 show. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis performed their hit “Same Love” and Queen Latifah officiated the ceremony for the happy couples that included Ryan Lewis’ sister. Macklemore and Lewis were joined on stage by their “Same Love” collaborator Mary Lambert and Madonna who sang her classic hit, “Open Your Heart.”
Lorde Performs “Royals” on the Grammys
Lorde made her Grammy stage debut on January 26, 2014, performing her breakout song “Royals” in front of a star-studded audience and millions of viewers. The New Zealand singer/songwriter (born Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O’Connor) didn’t seem in the least bit nervous as she performed the song which wound up earning her the Song of the Year Grammy.
‘Game of Thrones’ Season 4: Ice and Fire – A Foreshadowing
HBO’s going to drive Game of Thrones crazy with a 15 behind-the-scenes tease of season four airing on February 9, 2014 at 8:45pm. Oh sure, it’ll seem like the network’s doing GoT fans a favor by delivering more details on the upcoming season, but all it will really do is make us even more impatient for season four to premiere.
The 15-minute special will air before a new episode of True Detective and promises to give away no spoilers while still showing off clips from the new season. The special will also feature behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the cast and producers.
Season four kicks off on April 6, 2014.
‘Maleficent’ Trailer Features “Once Upon A Dream” by Lana Del Rey
Disney debuted a new trailer for Maleficent during the Grammys featuring the classic song “Once Upon A Dream” sung by Lana Del Rey. Lana Del Rey’s cover of the song has, as the Disney studio describes, a touch of menace and will be played over the film’s end credits.
The song was first introduced in Disney’s animated Sleeping Beauty released in 1958.
Along with releasing the new trailer, Disney announced Lana Del Rey’s version will be available for a limited time on Google Play. The song’s available now through February 3, 2014.
Maleficent was directed by Robert Stromberg and stars Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville. The film opens in theaters on May 30, 2014.
The Plot:
Maleficent explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic Sleeping Beauty and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora.
As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.
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Alfonso Cuaron Takes Home the DGA Award for Gravity
66th Annual DGA Awards Winners
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film
ALFONSO CUARÓN – Gravity
(Warner Bros. Pictures)
Mr. Cuarón’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: David Siegel (Arizona Unit)
First Assistant Directors: Josh Robertson, Stephen Hagen (Arizona Unit)
Second Assistant Director: Ben Howard
This is Mr. Cuarón’s first DGA Award.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series
STEVEN SODERBERGH – Behind the Candelabra
(HBO)
Mr. Soderbergh’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Michael Polaire
First Assistant Director: Gregory Jacobs
Second Assistant Director: Jody Spilkoman
Second Second Assistant Director: Lynn Struiksma
This is Mr. Soderbergh’s first DGA Award and third nomination. He was previously nominated in 2000 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for both Erin Brockovich and Traffic. He is also the recipient of this year’s Robert B. Aldrich Service Award for extraordinary service to the DGA and its membership.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series
VINCE GILLIGAN – Breaking Bad, “Felina”
(AMC)
Mr. Gilligan’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Stewart A. Lyons
Assistant Unit Production Manager: James Paul Hapsas
First Assistant Director: Nina Jack
Second Assistant Directors: Anna Ramey, Louis Lanni
Second Second Assistant Director: Joann Connolly
Additional Second Assistant Director: Marcia Woske
This is Mr. Gilligan’s first DGA Award and second nomination. He was previously nominated in the Dramatic Series category for the “Face Off” episode of Breaking Bad in 2011.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series
BETH McCARTHY-MILLER – 30 Rock, “Hogcock!/Last Lunch”
(NBC)
Ms. McCarthy-Miller’s Directorial Team:
Unit Production Manager: Diana Schmidt
First Assistant Director: Stephen Lee Davis
Second Assistant Director: Vanessa Hoffman
Assistant Unit Production Manager: Bill Sell
Location Manager: Suk Yi Mar
This is Ms. McCarthy-Miller’s third DGA Award and tenth nomination. She was also nominated this year, together with Rob Ashford, in the Movies for Television and Mini-Series category for The Sound of Music Live! She was previously nominated in the Comedy Series category for 30 Rock episodes “Live from Studio 6H” in 2012, “Live Show” in 2010, “The Reunion Episode #304” in 2008 and “Somebody to Love” in 2007. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety twice, in 2001 for America: A Tribute to Heroes (co-directed with Joel Gallen) and in 2000 for the “Val Kilmer/U2” episode of Saturday Night Live. She was also twice nominated in that category for Saturday Night Live episodes “Christopher Walken & The Foo Fighters” in 2003 and the 25th Anniversary episode in 1999.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Series
DON ROY KING – Saturday Night Live, “Saturday Night Live with Host Justin Timberlake”
(NBC)
Mr. King’s Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Michael Mancini, Michael Poole, Matt Yonks, Bob Caminiti
Stage Managers: Gena Rositano, Chris Kelly
This is Mr. King’s first DGA Award and seventh nomination. He was previously nominated for Saturday Night Live episodes in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety/Talk/News/Sports – Specials
GLENN WEISS – The 67th Annual Tony Awards
(CBS)
Mr. Weiss’s Directorial Team:
Associate Directors: Ken Diego, Robin Abrams, Stefani Cohen, Ricky Kirshner
Stage Managers: Garry Hood, Phyllis Digilio-Kent, Peter Epstein, Andrew Feigin, Lynn Finkel, Doug Fogel, Jeffry Gitter, Arthur Lewis, Jeffrey M. Markowitz, Joey Meade, Seth Mellman, Tony Mirante, Cyndi Owgang, Jeff Pearl, Elise Reaves, Lauren Class Schneider
This is Mr. Weiss’s fifth DGA Award and tenth nomination. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2012 for the 61st, 64th, 65th and 66th Annual Tony Awards. He was previously nominated in the same category in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008 for the 55th, 56th, 59th, 60th, and 62nd Annual Tony Awards.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs
NEIL P. DeGROOT – 72 Hours, “The Lost Coast”
(TNT)
This is Mr. DeGroot’s second DGA Award. He won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Reality Programs in 2011 for “Episode 1115” of The Biggest Loser.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs
AMY SCHATZ – An Apology to Elephants
(HBO)
This is Ms. Schatz’s fifth DGA Award and eighth nomination. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Children’s Programs four times for A Child’s Garden of Poetry in 2011, Classical Baby (I’m Grown Up Now) “The Poetry Show” in 2008, ‘Twas the Night in 2001 and Goodnight Moon & Other Sleepy Time Tales in 1999. She was also nominated an additional three times in this category for Don’t Divorce Me! Kids’ Rules for Parents on Divorce in 2012, Hard Times for an American Girl: The Great Depression in 2009 and Through a Child’s Eyes: September 11, 2001 in 2002.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Commercials
MARTIN de THURAH – Epoch Films
The Man Who Couldn’t Slow Down, Hennessy VS – Droga5
First Assistant Director: Shawn Thomas
Human Race, Acura MDX 2014 – Mullen
First Assistant Director: Jey Wada
Second Assistant Director: Dillon Neaman
Second Second Assistant Director: Erin Stern
This is Mr. de Thurah’s first DGA Award.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary
JEHANE NOUJAIM – The Square
Netflix
Participant Media
Noujaim Films
Maktube Productions
Worldview Entertainment
Roast Beef Productions
This is Ms. Noujaim’s second DGA Award and third nomination. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for Startup.com in 2001 (together with Chris Hegedus) and was also nominated in this category in 2004 for Control Room.
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Special Awards
In a surprise announcement, DGA President Paris Barclay called former National Vice President Steven Soderbergh to the stage to accept the Robert B. Aldrich Award in honor of Soderbergh’s extraordinary service to the DGA and its membership. Joined by former DGA President/current Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted and former DGA President Taylor Hackford, Barclay thanked Soderbergh for his devotion to the Guild, especially his work to protect and extend the creative rights of directors. Soderbergh, who was first elected to the National Board in 2001, served for nine years as National Vice President before stepping down last June. Soderbergh was also a founding member of the Guild’s Independent Directors Committee, a chair of the Eastern Directors Council, a member of the Western Directors Council, and he chaired DGA Honors three times. Soderbergh currently serves on the PAC Leadership Council and the DGA Foundation, and he is co-chair of the Guild’s Theatrical Creative Rights Committee, a position he has held since 2002.
SHONDA RHIMES & BETSY BEERS – DGA Diversity Award
Given in recognition of commitment to diversity hiring and providing jobs and opportunities to women and minorities in DGA-covered categories.
LEE BLAINE – Frank Capra Achievement Award
Given to an Assistant Director or Unit Production Manager in recognition of their career and service to the industry and the DGA.
VINCENT DeDARIO – Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award
Given to an Associate Director or Stage Manager in recognition of their service to the industry and DGA.
Source: DGA
-Posted by Rebecca Murray
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Stumble It! Writer/Director Ron Krauss and Kathy DiFiore Discuss ‘Gimme Shelter’
How did Vanessa Hudgens become your choice to play Apple in the film?
Ron Krauss: “She got a hold of the script and was passionate about playing the role. Originally, I wanted an unknown to play Apple. I auditioned and filmed 10 girls and I was leaning towards Vanessa because I thought she was the most convincing, but I felt it was important to get the girls from the shelter’s input so I had them watch the auditions and they all picked Vanessa. Now remember these girls had no idea who she was; they’re not familiar with her work on the Disney films and television shows.”
Why did you feel compelled to tell this story about the shelter?
Ron Krauss: “Because it’s really a story about family and compassion. There are at least 750,000 teenage girls in shelters in this country and I wanted to shed a light on an incredible woman who was making a real difference in some of these girls’ lives. Kathy’s shelter is a mile away from my brother’s house.
When I first approached her about maybe doing a documentary on her work and the shelter, she said no. But when we talked about doing a feature film and to show the work and how it makes a difference in these young girls’ lives and how they become each other’s family, she agreed to the movie.”
I’m curious why you decided to focus the film on the character of Apple instead of telling Kathy’s story and making her the main character?
Ron Krauss: “That’s a really great question. The answer is because that was how Kathy wanted it. She didn’t what the film to tell her story but rather to focus on the work and help the shelter provides for the girls. She wanted the audience to see how the shelter and the work brings people together.”
In the film James Earl Jones plays Father Frank McCarthy who helps Apple get to the shelter. Talk a little about working with him.
Ron Krauss: “He’s amazing. The real Father McCarthy is a very compassionate man and Mr. Jones conveys so wonderfully the fatherly spirit and kindness of the man. He becomes Apple’s first teacher and first real friend that she learns she can count on.”
Getting back to Vanessa in the role of Apple, this is a real change for her to play someone so gritty, lost, and helpless. How did she prepare for the role?
Ron Krauss: “She took the work extremely seriously. She lived in the shelter for three weeks and stayed with the girls and really became one of the girls. She had to learn the rules and just live with them and take in as much as she could. We filmed the movie in one of the actual shelters. Kathy has five now. Vanessa said it took a real toll on her and touched her heart far more than she was expecting. It took her months to become herself again.”
What do you want people who see the film to come away with when they leave the theatre?
Ron Krauss: “That we’re all connected and we all need to get involved with helping one another. Like I said before, it’s a film about compassion, hope, family, and bringing people together. It’s not a movie…it’s a movement.”
So Kathy, how do you feel about the film? Are you pleased with it?
Kathy DiFiore: “The film is opening a new phase of my life. To be honest, it’s a little bit intimidating. But, yes, it’s a masterpiece. For 35 years I kept the real world out of the work we were doing for the girls at the shelter to protect them, and I trusted Ron to get it right and he did. Gimme Shelter was made to help people change their lives for the better.”
What’s next for you?
Kathy DiFiore: “I’m putting out a book called Gimme Love, Gimme Hope, Gimme Shelter – The Making of the Film. It tells the story of nine other ‘Apples’ and it describes their development.”
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill Reenact a Special ‘Titanic’ Moment
Jonah Hill hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time on the January 25, 2014 episode of the late night series, and members of the audience peppered him with questions about Leonardo DiCaprio. Hill, who earned his second Oscar nomination for his performance with DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street, tried to keep his own career the focus of the monologue, but to no avail.
And when Leonardo DiCaprio showed up to help him through the opening bit, the two wound up in a Titanic clinch.
Sundance Film Festival Winners Announced
Whiplash, Return to Homs, and To Kill a Man were among the big winners at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival as announced during the awards ceremony hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. The festival received more submissions for consideration this year than last year, with a total of 12,218 movies submitted, from which the committee had to narrow the field of films accepted to screen at the Sundance Film Festival. Overall, the festival screened 121 feature films this year, including 54 movies from first-time directors.
Sundance Film Festival Winners:
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Tracy Chapman to:
Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Leonard Maltin to:
Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Andrea Nix Fine to:
Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime’s security forces.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Nansun Shi to:
To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernández Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who’s barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge’s son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge’s son nearly dies, Kalule’s sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna.
The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:
Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.
The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to:
Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Felicity Huffman to:
The Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Felicity Huffman to:
Difret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government’s radar helping women and children until one young girl’s legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival. Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere.
The Audience Award: Best of NEXT <=> was presented by Nick Offerman to:
Imperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster’s devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De’aundre Bonds.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Morgan Neville to:
Ben Cotner & Ryan White for The Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Lone Scherfig to:
Cutter Hodierne for Fishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:
Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:
Sophie Hyde for 52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen.
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:
Craig Johnson & Mark Heyman for The Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — When estranged twins Maggie and Milo feel that they’re at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.
The Screenwriting Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to:
Eskil Vogt for Blind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid’s real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt.
The Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Jonathan Oppenheim to:
Jenny Golden, Karen Sim for Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.
The Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to:
Jonathan Amos for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.
The Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Kahane Cooperman to:
Rachel Beth Anderson, Ross Kauffman for E-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field.
The Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to:
Christopher Blauvelt for Low Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy-Jo Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy-Jo Albany’s memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.
The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:
Thomas Balmès & Nina Bernfeld for Happiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki’s eyes.
The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:
Ula Pontikos for Lilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn’t speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Use of Animation was presented by Charlotte Cook to:
Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking was presented by Charlotte Cook to:
The Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor’s decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Musical Score was presented by Dana Stevens to:
The Octopus Project for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter / U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent was presented by Dana Stevens to:
Justin Simien for Dear White People / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one’s unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for the Delightful Ensemble Performance, and How the Director Brought His Own Unique Universe into Cinema was presented by Carlo Chatrian to:
God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Bravery was presented by Caspar Sonnen to:
We Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends is a modern odyssey, a science fiction–like journey in a tiny homemade flying machine into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, Africa’s biggest country, is being divided into two nations, a “civilizing” pathology transcends the headlines—colonialism, imperialism, and yet-another holy war over resources.
The Short Film Audience Award, Presented by YouTube, based on web traffic for 15 short films that screened at the Festival and were concurrently featured on www.youtube.com/sff, was presented to:
Chapel Perilous / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Lessner) — Levi Gold is paid an unexpected visit by Robin, a door-to-door salesman with nothing to sell. The ensuing encounter forces Levi to confront his true mystical calling, and the nature of reality itself. A metaphysical comedy trip-out with Sun Araw.
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