Philadelphia Film Fest doles out awards
The Philadelphia Film Festival announced its juried prizes Saturday before the gala closing night premiere of "The Descendants." Audience Awards will be announced Friday. PFF 20 officially comes to an end Thursday night.
Philadelphia Film Fest doles out awards
Steven Rea, Inquirer Movie Columnist and Critic
The Philadelphia Film Festival had its gala closing night premiere Saturday – with a screening of the most-excellent George Clooney starrer, The Descendants -- and presented its juried prizes. Here’s the list:
Best Narrative Film – Policeman, the Nadav Lapid-directed tale of an Israeli anti-terrorist unit.
Best Documentary - Where Soldiers Come From, Gillian Wearing’s chronicle of three buddies from rural Michigan whose National Guard unit is sent to Afghanistan.
Best Short Film - Water Lillies in Bloom, from Emil Stang Lund, set in the world – or the pool – of synchronized swimming.
Best Local Film - Race to the Bottom of the Earth, about Philadelphia coffee roaster and world adventurer Todd Carmichael’s solo trek across Antarctica.
Archie Award for Best First-time Filmmaker – Director Markus Schleinzer, for Michael, about a pedophile and his 10-year-old captive.
Audience Awards will be announced on Friday. PFF 20 officially wraps Thursday. Go to the fest site for more info.
A correction: Heather Courtney is the director of WHERE SOLDIERS COME FROM, the winner of the documentary award at this year's PFF. She is also the producer, cinematographer and co-editor in fact. Please give her proper credit.— Linda Blackaby
Steven Rea's previous blog posts can be found here. Read his most recent columns and reviews, here. He also curates the movie stars and bicycling photo blog, Rides A Bike. Reach Steven at srea@phillynews.com.
