Awards
We announced our 2014 jury winners at a very special “behind the screen” Awards Night party at the IMA’s Toby Theater. It was certainly one of the most memorable events we’ve hosted at the Indy Film Fest. Hopefully, you were there to share that moment with us. From World Premiers to cast and crew meet-and-greets, there were so many wonderful moments and memories from this year’s festival.
Here’s a look at the “best of the fest” from 2014.
Grand Jury // Feature Film
BLUEBIRD // LANCE EDMANDS, DIRECTOR
One frigid winter morning, Lesley discovers the unconscious body of a young boy that she accidentally locked in the bus overnight. Suffering from severe hypothermia, the child is rushed to the hospital where he slips into a coma. As Lesley’s crisis of guilt worsens, she begins to lose her grip on reality, forcing everyone to confront one another. A meditative, visual drama, ‘Bluebird’ explores the ways in which these families fall apart and reconnect, united by their shared hope for the boy’s recovery.
Best American Spectrum // Feature Film
Bluebird; Lance Edmands, director
Best American Spectrum // Short Film
CONFUSION THROUGH SAND // DANNY MADDEN, DIRECTOR
A 19-year old kid finds himself alone in a hostile desert, scared as hell and trained to react.
Best Matter of Fact // Feature Film
BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES // SUSHRUT JAIN, DIRECTOR
As India, host of the 2011 World Cup of Cricket, begins its campaign to win the Cup after a 28-year drought, three ordinary Indians seek their salvation/escape from a difficult life through their passion for cricket.
Best Matter of Fact // Short Film
TARZAN & ARAB // PAUL FISCHER, DIRECTOR
Two Palestinian filmmakers grow up in a Gaza City devoid of any cinemas, go on to see their first film in a cinema as adults, and ultimately make acclaimed films of their own.
Best World Cinema // Feature Film
YOU’LL BE A MAN // BENOIT COHEN, DIRECTOR
Leo, 10, is a solitary dreamer who seeks refuge in books. When the carefree 20-year-old Theo steps into his life, it forces Leo out of his shell. The two becomes best friends despite their age difference, but not everyone approves. Leo’s father tries to break up the friendship and Theo reacts by whisking Leo away to the seaside where he nearly loses control.”
Best World Cinema // Short Film
GRAND CANAL // JOHNNY MA, DIRECTOR
A Greek tragedy told in Chinese pop music. The tragic events of a boat captain trying to collect a debt to save his fleet of boats, as remembered by his 10-year old son.
Audience Award // Feature Film
BEYOND ALL BOUNDARIES // SUSHRUT JAIN, DIRECTOR
As India, host of the 2011 World Cup of Cricket, begins its campaign to win the Cup after a 28-year drought, three ordinary Indians seek their salvation/escape from a difficult life through their passion for cricket – Sudhir, a penniless superfan who cycles across India to cheer the team; Prithvi, a 12-year old boy wonder who is a cricket prodigy; and Akshaya, a girl cricketer from Mumbai’s slums. We follow Sudhir to see what drives the man who has renounced so much, including marriage, for his dream of cheering Team India forever; Akshaya as she competes in the trials for selection to the Mumbai Women’s Team, and Prithvi as he copes with the unique pressures of being a cricket phenom in a cricket-crazy nation.
Audience Award // Short Film
GOOD STORY // CHRISTOPHER BODE, DIRECTOR
When Helga Landowsky discovers the broken jug in an antiques store near the German/Polish border, she wants to have it at any cost. But the old lady has reckoned without Jakub Lato. Because the antiquarian does not want to trade his ware for money. In exchange for the jug, he wants Helga to tell him a story. And a story she can tell. It is an experience from the second world war. A story about pain and loss. And while Helga is still narrating, she and Jakub begin to realize that both their lives are wondrously interwoven. And that they are now, almost 70 years later, telling the story is last chapter together. Because only this way, the story can finally become a good story.