Award winners announced for 2009 SXSW juried and audience film competitions

Feature Jury Awards

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Winner – 45365

Director: Bill Ross

An inquiring look at everyday life in Middle America, the film explores the congruities of daily life in an American town Sidney, Ohio.

Honorable Mention – The Way We Get By

Director: Aron Gaudet

On call 24/7 for the past 6 years, a group of senior citizens transform their lives by greeting nearly one million U.S. troops at a tiny airport in Maine.

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Winner – Made in China

Director: Judi Krant

Lost in Shanghai, an inventor discovers that it takes more than a bright idea to succeed.

Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast – That Evening Sun

Director: Scott Teems

A ruthless grudge match between two old foes. Lines are drawn, threats are made, and the simmering tension under the Tennessee sun erupts, inevitably, into savagery. Cast: Hal Holbrook, Mia Wasikowska, Ray McKinnon, Walton Goggins, Carrie Preston

Audience Awards

EMERGING VISIONS

Winner – Motherland

Director: Jennifer Steinman

Six grieving mothers journey to Africa in order to test the theory that “giving is healing.”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

Winner – MINE

Director: Geralyn Pezanoski

After Hurricane Katrina, thousands of pets were rescued and adopted by families around the country, leading to many custody battles. Through these stories, the film examines issues of race, class and animal welfare in the U.S.

NARRATIVE FEATURE

Winner – That Evening Sun

Director: Scott Teems

A ruthless grudge match between two old foes. Lines are drawn, threats are made, and the simmering tension under the Tennessee sun erupts, inevitably, into savagery.

24 BEATS PER SECOND

Winner – To Be Announced on Friday, 3/20

LONE STAR STATES

Winner – To Be Announced on Friday, 3/20

Special Jury Awards

SXSW & AIGA AUSTIN MOVIE POSTER AWARD

Best in Show – The Dungeon Masters

Director: Keven Macalester

Designer: David Plunkert, Spur Design, LLC

SXSW / CHICKEN & EGG EMERGENT WOMAN AWARD

Winner – Made in China

Director: Judi Krant

Lost in Shanghai, an inventor discovers that it takes more than a bright idea to succeed.

SXSW WHOLPHIN SHORT FILM AWARD

Winner – Sister Wife

Director: Jill Orschel

In a time when the practices of Mormon fundamentalism offer sensational fodder for the evening news, Sister Wife offers a rare glimpse into the cloistered lifestyle.

Shorts Jury Awards

REEL SHORTS

Winner – Thompson

Director: Jason Tippet

Since second grade Matt and Ryan have shared the bond of speech impediments, weapons, and things that go fast. But as their last days of high school speed by, the two friends find that their go-carts, dirt bikes, and RC cars can’t outrun adulthood.

Special Jury Award – Happy 95 Birthday Grandpa

Director: Gary Huggins

A fleeting memory in five minutes.

ANIMATED SHORTS

Winner – Shaman

Director: Luc Perez

Waiting for the bus on a rainy day in Copenhagen, the old shaman Utaaq sees a rare bird from his past. This makes him reminisce his youth, and a beautiful tale about the forces of nature begins.

Special Jury Award – Sweet Dreams

Director: Kirsten Lepore

A Stalwart cupcake escapes from his native land to discover what lies beyond the sugar skyscrapers and candy-condos. His violent shipwreck on a foreign shore forces him to adapt to a new lifestyle.

EXPERIMENTAL SHORTS

Winner – Cattle Call

Director: Matthew Rankin & Mike Maryniuk

A high-speed animated documentary about the art of livestock auctioneering.

Special Jury Award – The Idiot Stinks

Director: Helder Sun

Animation, Angst, Media, Martians and Miscommunication.

MUSIC VIDEOS

Winner – Thunderheist, “Jerk It”

Director: That Go-Noel Paul & Stefan Moore

Special Jury Award – Fleet Foxes, “White Winter Hymnal”

Director: Sean Pecknold

Jury Special Mention – New Pornographers, “Myriad Harbor”

Director: Fluorescent Hill

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITION

Winner – Performance Evaluation

Director: Breannah Gibson

Special Jury Award – TIE

Fresh Fruit

Director: Edward Kelley & Brenden Cicoria

AND

A Hospital Bathroom

Director: Miguel Johnson

Narrative Feature Competition: Scott Foundas, Ted Hope, Kim Voynar; Documentary Feature Competition: Anne Thompson, Basil Tsiokos, Lois Vossen; Reel Shorts: Emma Gray Munthe, Dan Nuxoll, Caspar Sonnen; Experimental Shorts: Spencer Parsons, Luke Savisky, Sean Williams; Animated Shorts: Chris Eska, Steve Mack, Lars Nilsen; Music Videos: Stefan Arni, Siggi Kinski, Francis Preve, Adam Yauch; Texas High School Shorts: Bob Ray, Garret Savage, Bart Weiss.