|
Ken Burns Award for Best of the Festival
$3,000
Presented to the film of any genre or length that best represents the artistic standards of excellence for the festival. This award is generously provided by influential documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, a graduate of Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School.
Lawrence Kasdan Award for Best Narrative Film
$1,000
The narrative film that best makes use of film’s unique ability to convey striking and original stories will receive this award distinction. A notable Hollywood filmmaker, Lawrence Kasdan got his start in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan and continues his connection through support of this festival award.
Chris Frayne Award for Best Animated Film
$1000
This award recognizes the animated film that delivers the best style, creativity, and content. Given in honor of the spirit of Chris Frayne, a key participant in the festival's early years, his approach to life was reminiscent of his colorful cartoon characters. Special thanks to Ann Arbor’s colorful Quack!Media for lead support of this award!
The Barbara Aronofsky Latham Award for Emerging Experimental Video Artist
$1,000
This award provides support to the most promising video artist at the inception of her/his career. Distributed by the Video Data Bank, the award was conceived by the Aronofsky family to honor the late Barbara Aronofsky Latham, a Chicago-based experimental video artist who passed away in 1984.
Prix DeVarti for Funniest Film
$1,000
Awarded to the film likely to create the most laughs in the festival. This prize honors the 40-year friendship between Dominick's pub and the Ann Arbor Film Festival, and honors the memory of Dominick and Alice DeVarti.
Peter Wilde Award for Most Technically Innovative Film
$500
The film which showcases the most pioneering, cutting-edge technical innovations will receive this award. Peter Wilde was a long-time projectionist for the festival and master of special effects. This award honors his creativity and pursuit of new techniques.
\aut\FILM Award for Best LGBT Film
$500
This award honors the film that best addresses and gives voice to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) issues. The \aut\BAR of Ann Arbor contributes this award to promote a diversity of voices that achieve excellence in filmmaking.
Award for Best Sound Design
$500
Given for excellence and originality in sound design, this award recognizes the importance of audio artistry within independent and experiment cinema.
Jury Awards
$1,200
Remaining prize monies that are distributed at the awards jurors' discretion as honorable mentions to films of distinction and artistic accomplishment. |
The Edward Jones Audience Award
$1,500
Selected by the audience, three awards of $500 will be awarded to the three highest rated films in competition at this year’s festival. Edward Jones is proud to financially reward the films deemed most deserving by the Ann Arbor Film Festival audience.
Award for Best Experimental Film
$1,000
The film that receives this distinction will most successfully embody the spirit of experimental cinema. This award is provided by an anonymous Ann Arbor supporter who believes that pioneering artists are critical to the health of the art form of film.
Michael Moore Award for Best Documentary Film
$1,000
The best non-fiction film of the festival will receive this award from documentary filmmaker Michael Moore, who received inspiration from hundreds of films he viewed over the years at the Ann Arbor Film Festival. Proceeds from his film, Roger and Me, fund this annual award.
Kodak/Filmcraft Imaging Award for Best Cinematography
$3,000 [$1,500 of film plus $1,500 processing]
For the film that demonstrates the highest excellence and creativity in cinematography. The recipient of this award will receive $1,500 worth of 16mm or 35mm film stock from Kodak and film processing from Filmcraft Imaging, the lab division of Grace & Wild of Farmington, MI.
Tom Berman Award for Most Promising Filmmaker
$1,000
This award is intended to support an emerging filmmaker that the Award Jury expects will make a significant contribution to the art of film in the course of his/her filmmaking career. This award is endowed by the Berman family in honor of the memory of Tom Berman, who was a University of Michigan film student, an early festival supporter and close friend to many within the festival community.
Award for Best International Film
$750
Granted to the film produced outside of the United States which most strongly impresses our Awards Jury, this award is co-supported by Ann Arbor’s Tios Mexican restaurant with local French tour guide and artist Sandy Schopbach.
Award for Best Michigan Filmmaker
$500
This award recognizes excellence in a Michigan-produced film within any genre.
Food Gatherers Feeding the Soul Award
$500
This award honors the film that best illuminates social justice issues. Funded by Food Gatherers' Board of Directors to honor the food rescue/food bank's 21st anniversary of serving our neighbors in need in Ann Arbor and beyond.
The Eileen Maitland Award
$500
This award is to be given to the film that best addresses women’s issues and gives voice to female voices. It was created to honor of the spirit and memory of Eileen Maitland who was a dear friend and long-time supporter of the festival, as well as a patron and practitioner of the arts.
The No Violence Award
$512
Awarded to the film that best promotes peaceful concepts with no depictions of weaponry, fighting, human or animal suffering, or destructive activity. The film may approach the subject directly, include upbeat material or may turn the viewers' mind toward gentleness by exploring other positive themes. Provided by Ann Arbor residents Leslie Lawther & Matthew Graff. |
