The 12th annual Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has awarded its top prizes for the May 20-24 event in the California mountain town. “Mono 222,” directed by Quinton Dominguez, was awarded the jury prize for best North American narrative feature, while “Dreaming of Lions,” directed and written by Paolo Marinou-Blanco, won best international narrative feature. Best documentary feature went to “I Got Bombed at Harvey’s,” directed by Amy Bandlien Storkel and Bryan Storkel.
Audience awards went to “Danny Is My Boyfriend,” directed by Lucy Sandler and Mechi Lakatos, for narrative feature; “Tony Odyssey,” directed by Thales Banzai, for international narrative feature; and “Nuisance Bear,” directed by Jack Weisman and Gabriela Osio Vanden, for documentary feature.
“This year’s festival reaffirmed the power of independent film to spark conversation, foster connection, and champion daring creative voices,” said Shira Dubrovner, Festival Director and Founder. “We were thrilled to welcome a record number of filmmakers whose work reflects the passion and originality that continue to define the festival.”
See additional prize winners below:
Jury Awards
Best N. American Narrative Feature: “Mono 222,” directed by Quinton Dominguez; $1,000 cash award, $15,000 Panavision Camera Rental Grant,
Honorable Mention: “Debt to the Dead,” directed by Daniel Castro Zimbrón
Best International Narrative Feature: “Dreaming of Lions,” directed by Paolo Marinou-Blanco; $1,000 cash award
Honorable Mention: “Tony Odyssey,” directed by Thales Banzai
Best Documentary Feature: “I Got Bombed at Harvey’s,” directed by Amy Bandlien Storkel and Bryan Storkel; $1,000 cash award
Bravery Award for Documentary Feature: “Sugarfly,” directed by Max Schoenfeld; $1,000 cash award
Best Screenplay: “The Unseen,” written by Shivakumar Ramanathan; $1,000 cash award and a Slated script and financial analysis bundle.
Best Narrative Short: “Reunion,” directed by Kyle Montgomery and Judd Myers
$500 cash award; Honorable Mention: “Boat Movie,” directed by Anna Torzullo and Stephanie Ibarra
Best International Narrative Short: “Leivalaul (Breadsong),” directed by Katariina Aule; $500 cash award
Best Documentary Short: “Jar of Time,” directed by Nevena Semova and Swapnil Arjun; $500 cash award
Honorable Mention: “Hyodo’s Paradise,” directed by Jacque Rabie
Best Animation Short: “Wan Wan,” directed by Mayuko Kobayashi; $500 cash award
Honorable Mention: “Long Live Livia,” directed by Zach Dorn
Best Music Video: “High Season,” by Yuliia Yanko and Trygve Luktvasslimo, directed by Trygve Luktvasslimo; $500 cash award
Honorable Mention: “Erghad Afewo,” by Tinariwen, directed by Axel Digoix
Source: variety.com
