Shithouse (2020) was the big winner at the phantom SXSW festivalA not so secret secret about film festivals: many juries are watching their category on screeners before the festival due to tight schedules, scads of programming, and the general chaos of actual festivals. So, though SXSW didn't actually happen this year, their juries DID give out prizes. Yes, it feels like new movies are but figments of our imagination but that's always the case to some extent with festivals, isn't it? Like Saint Frances which won big at SXSW a year ago only to finally emerge just in time for the Coronavirus to strike it down in theaters, a couple of weeks ago. So maybe in a year's time we'll see these movies!
Their winners and what the juries said about them....
NARRATIVE SECTION
Narrative Feature: Shithouse
Imbued with the sweet, heart-on-sleeve sensibilities of Before Sunrise, triple threat writer/director/star, Cooper Raiff’s earnest portrait (and directorial debut) of a lonely college freshman and the girl he forges a magnetic connection with is refreshing and winningly sincere.”
Directing: Celine Held and Logan George for Topside
“These two directors create a textured urban underground world to tell a poignant story of survival and sacrifice when a mother and daughter’s home is uprooted. The kinetic filmmaking that defines their film Topside results in a gripping and emotional viewing experience.
Acting: Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing in Really Love
“The power and excitement in this modern romance comes from the chemistry and depth of its two leads. Their subtle performances and undeniable screen charisma give this love story its emotional stakes."
Between that win and the grand jury prize winner it looks like it would have been a romance-themed festival this year.
DOCUMENTARIES
Documentary Feature Winner: An Elephant in the Room
“Grief is one of the most challenging subjects for any filmmaker. The grief of young children even more so. In An Elephant in the Room, Katrine Philp follows a group of kids as they work with a grief counseling center in New Jersey. And while the resulting film is certainly heartbreaking, thanks to the director’s artistry and sensitivity it is also inspiring, uplifting, and
— especially in these troubled times — essential.”
Special Jury Recognition, Documentary Storytelling : The Donut King
“The many stories about Cambodian refugees arriving in America in the ‘70s are often overlooked. With The Donut King, first-time director Alice Gu puts a spotlight on entrepreneur Ted Ngoy and delivers a finely-crafted and timely immigrant narrative that is a story about the American dream as much as it is a story of redemption and overcoming adversity to leave a
lasting legacy.”
Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice: Finding Yingying
“This poignant documentary, which follows the story of Yingying Zhang, a Chinese graduate student whose disappearance in America leads her family to come search for her, combines the care and steadfastness of a true-crime procedural with a rare sensitivity to questions of cultural difference, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience.”
SHORT FILMS
Short Film Narrative Winner: White Eye
“This timely and profoundly layered story captivated judges with its quiet and artful approach. Its combination of virtuosic camerawork, powerful performances and deeply human message is sure to connect with all who see it for this reason we are pleased to award it the Narrative Short Film Competition Jury Award.”
Special Jury Recognition for Acting : Morgan Sullivan and Manny Dunn in Dirty
“The jury were impressed by the way this deceptively simple short combined an uncompromising approach to sexuality with tenderness and humor, and by the nuanced, authentic performances of the two lead actors. The filmmaker courageously tackled a sexual situation that is rarely portrayed on screen, and made it feel intimate and real.”
Special Jury Recognition: Darling
“This dramatic short wowed judges with its story, performances and execution. A stunning work about the complicated social dynamics of queer love that says so much through simple looks and gestures. Its most poignant moments are almost entirely speechless.”
Special Jury Recognition: Single
“A comedic short with wit and bite, Single subverts viewers’ expectations with purpose and an unapologetic voice. The layered performances are also worthy of commendation.”
Short Film Documentary Winner: No Crying at the Dinner Table
“The way that No Crying at the Dinner Table uses one of documentary’s core components — the sit-down interview — to excavate undiscussed pain in the director’s own family is insightful, raw, and, ultimately, extraordinary.”
Mizuko is a Japanese word for unborn life.
Special Jury Recognition Documentary Short: Mizuko
“By blending animation with live action footage, Mizuko defies expectations of what a nonfiction film can be and do, while offering up material that’s both vulnerable and moving, elevating a personal narrative seen through a new lens.”
Special Jury Recognition: Día de la Madre
“Unexpected encounters that reveal themselves into just the sweetest thing ever.”
MIDNIGHT SHORTS
Midnight Short Winner: Regret
“In Regret, the storytelling is simple but concise, allowing the tension to build at an effective pace. When paired with its strong lead actor, horrific creature design and precise visual execution, this film earns the top honor.”
Special Jury Recognition Midnight Short: Laura Hasn’t Slept
“Filmmaker Parker Finn has created a terrifying vision of a nightmare world in Laura Hasn’t Slept. This short’s tone, pacing, and set design bring the viewer completely into the main character’s experience, and it’s shocking reveal is sure to leave viewers wanting more.”
Special Jury Recognition for Creature Design: Stucco
“We wish to highlight the beautifully grotesque and deeply unsettling creature design of Stucco. Clive Barker would be proud.”
Animated Short Winner: Symbiosis
“Beautifully simplistic in style, but powerful in content… We were blown away at how this film tackles the complex emotions of betrayal, loneliness, and curiosity, all while exploring different expressions of femininity. It asks the viewer to contend with their own empathy and curiosity about how the tale will unfold. It left us genuinely engaged, and wondering what would happen next. In today’s day and age seeing, this story told through the beautiful craft of animation was impactful and in an unexpected way.”
Special Jury Recognition: No, I Don’t Want to Dance!
“This dark tale is told brilliantly with characters crafted meticulously from tactile materials and animated frame by frame. The end result is a relatable and laughable cautionary tale. The craftsmanship of this film and the balance of whimsy and dark humor was deserving of recognition.”
Special Jury Recognition: The Shawl
“The exuberant characters, whose story comes to life in this film, tickled our hearts. We were delighted as this film reminded us that animation in its simplest form when done right can capture the joy and nuance of our daily lives and love affairs.”
MUSIC VIDEOS
Music Video Winner: 070 Shake – ‘Nice to Have’
“A stunningly beautiful yet tragic exploration of the lives impacted by a fantastical traffic accident. Not only was it impressive in execution, but a poignant reminder to appreciate the people around us in this new world that we find ourselves in.”
Special Jury Recognition for Animation: Mitski – ‘A Pearl’
Special Jury Recognition for Direction: The Lumineers – ‘Gloria’
TEXAS SHORTS
Texas Shorts Winner: Just Hold On
“A lovely little documentary with a big giant Texas-sized heart, Just Hold On charmingly shares the story of an inspiring young girl that overcomes the odds and captures the hearts of an entire Houston, Texas stadium. The structure of the film creates a space of powerful and emotional storytelling. Sam and Rayka truly capture Texas soul and authenticity in this film.”
Special Jury Recognition Texas Short: Coup d’etat Math
“Coup D’etat Math is an inventive and complex film about the struggles of the refugee community. The social realism captured in the film’s animation adds an element of vulnerability and rawness to the storyline. Sai’s intentional and thoughtful approach is illustrated in every detail of the film. It presents a rich visual tapestry of mixed media combining animation and live-action with gripping stories of pathos and human resilience.”
Texas High School Shorts Winner: Wish Upon a Snowman
“Wish Upon a Snowman is a world unto itself. The imagination to conceive of as well as the discipline required to spin this yarn puts this disturbingly charming film in a class of its own.”
Special Jury Recognition: Narrative Winner: Ultimatum
“Ultimatum is taut, twisted and terrifying. Chillingly economical with great sound and set design.”
Special Jury Recognition: Documentary Winner: Unveiled
“Beyond the labels, the misconceptions, Unveiled confidently and proudly defies the stereotypes to reveal the girls beyond our prejudice.”
Special Jury Recognition: Animation Winner: The Orchard
“The Orchard is ambitious and epic with a heartfelt yet comedic core.”
TELEVISION PRIZES
Episodic Pilot Winner: Embrace
“For its originality of voice, its depiction of characters and relationships that are both enigmatic and appealing, as well as telling an absorbing story in a world unseen on television at the moment — the jury is awarding its top prize to the Episodic Pilot Competition to Embrace. With real laughs and real heart, the presentation promises a wholly unique TV series with characters we’re eager to learn more about. The jury offers congratulations to the whole creative team on this excellent, thoughtful, funny and professional project — and are thrilled to be able to give it our top commendation.”
Special Jury Recognition for Drama: Chemo Brain
“Unapologetically honest, deeply touching yet unsentimental. Told over four complete episodes — a huge achievement in itself — Kristian Håskjold directs a series he co-creates with Johan Wang that depicts the indignities of illness and the struggle of hope with an understatement that only the best dramas achieve.”
Special Jury Recognition for Comedy: Lusty Crest
“For its incredibly ambitious story-telling, stylistic extravagance, completely original blend of
absurdist melodrama, confident comedic filmmaking and just pure lustiness the Special
Recognition for Comedy Jury Recognition goes to Lusty Crest. Kati Skelton both writes and
directs this technicolor fever dream with a commitment and confidence that both successful
humor and absorbing surrealism demand.”
DESIGN CATEGORIES
SXSW Film Design Excellence in Poster Design Winner: Laura Hasn’t Slept
“Designer Olivier Courbet. The poster for Laura Hasn’t Slept really stood out to us. It’s a bold design with an excellent concept.”
Special Jury Recognition: The Donut King
“The Donut King’s poster is undeniably fun and makes us really want to see the movie.
Personally, we love illustrated movie posters and the illustration is really good here.”
Excellence in Title Design: See
“Designer: Karin Fong. See stands out to us as a unique and beautifully-executed main title. We love the quick glimpses into the darkness, giving you just enough time to comprehend your surroundings. CG ropes are artfully directed with a light, elegant and ultimately fleeting aesthetic. Along with the visuals, the environmental sound design used in the almost absence of a discernible musical theme adds to the feeling of losing sight.”
Special Jury Recognition: Why We Hate
“Designers: Allison Brownmoore, Anthony Brownmoore. Why We Hate is a haunting look at humanity’s past with scenes that contrast bright symbols with dark moments in time. Beautifully done transitions and color treatment bolster the power of the images. What is added to the photos is as powerful as what is lost.”
MISCELLANEOUS PRIZES
SXSW Special Awards Adam Yauch Hörnblowér Award Presented to: In and of Itself
Adobe Editing Award Presented to: You Cannot Kill David Arquette Editor: Paul Rogers and Additional Editing By David Darg
Final Draft Screenwriters Award Presented to: Best Summer Ever Screenwriters: Michael Parks Randa, Will Halby, Terra Mackintosh, Andrew Pilkington, Lauren Smitelli
Louis Black “Lone Star” Award Winner: Miss Juneteenth Director: Channing Godfrey Peoples
(Murtada reviewed that at Sundance for us)
Special Jury Recognition for Acting: Winner: Rob Morgan from Bull
Special Jury Recognition for Documentary: Winner: Boys State
Vimeo Staff Pick Award Presented to: Vert
Zeiss Cinematography Award Winner: Echoes of the Invisible