SIFF: Golden Space Needle Awards
SIFF’s final day saw a filled to capacity crowd gathered for brunch at the Space Needle for the Golden Space Needle Award ceremony. More than 70,000 ballots were cast to decide the Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Short Film. Golden Space Needle awards were chosen by SIFF audiences. Winners received the glass Golden Space Needle figure and various cash and other prizes meant to help further their career.
Best Film Golden Space Needle Award:
Cherry Blossoms - Hanami, directed by Doris Dörrie (Germany)
Best Documentary Golden Space Needle Award:
The Wrecking Crew, directed by Denny Tedesco (USA)
Best Director Golden Space Needle Award:
Amin Matalqa, for Captain Abu Raed (Jordan)
Best Actor Golden Space Needle Award:
Alan Rickman, for Bottle Shock (USA)
Best Actress Golden Space Needle Award:
Jessica Chastain, for Jolene (USA)
Best Short Film Golden Space Needle Award:
Felix, directed by Andreas Utta (Germany)
Lena Sharpe Award (given to the film by a woman director that receives the most votes from the public):
Frozen River, director Courtney Hunt (USA)
Additionally, there were six juried competition awards, selected by juries composed of relevant experts for each subject matter: New American Cinema Award, New Directors Showcase Award, Best Documentary Award, Best Documentary Short, Best Animated Short, and Best Narrative Short.
SIFF 2008 New American Cinema Competition
Grand Jury Prize:
Em, directed by Tony Barbieri (USA)
SIFF 2008 New Directors Showcase Competition
Grand Jury Prize:
Everything is Fine, directed by Yves-Christian Fournier (Canada)
SIFF 2008 Documentary Competition
Grand Jury Prize:
Derek, directed by Isaac Julien (UK)
SIFF 2008 Short Film Jury Awards
Documentary Grand Jury Prize:
“Self Portrait With Cows Going Home” and Other Works: A Portrait of Sylvia Plachy, directed by Rebecca Dreyfus, USA
Animation Grand Jury Prize:
The Pearce Sisters, directed by Luis Cook, UK
Narrative Grand Jury Prize:
Rewind, directed by Atul Taishete, India
Jury awards were also given for the SIFF 2008 FutureWave Series with the Grand Jury Prize going to Disorder, directed by Rose McAleese, and to SIFF and IndieFlix 2008 MyFestival films: the SIFF Official Selection and MyFestival Feature Film Winner was Perfect Sport, directed by Anthony O’Brien, and the SIFF Official Selection and MyFestival Short Film Winner was Robbie’s Withdrawal, directed by John Burish.
For a complete list of winners, including runners up, visit the SIFF [site]. Congratulations to all of the winners and thanks to the staff and volunteers of SIFF for an excellent festival.
Yet again i saw zero of the award winners. Sheesh.
Odd that Seattle and Vegas would have overlapping film festivals. You’d think the planners would say ok, let’s move it back (or forward) a week since we know we’re competing for a limited audience anyway.
I started clapping early out of surprise and happiness when they announced that Everything is Fine took the New Directors grand jury award. It was one of the first SIFF selections that I saw this festival and it still stands out as one of my highlights.
Similarly, I caught the afternoon showing of Em. A nice pick for the New American Cinema award: Tony Barbieri, his cinematographer, and able cast made a really beautiful film.
I clapped for Tout est parfait/Everything Is Fine, too. I was surprised more people didn’t clap. It was an excellent film.