For inquiries, contact Lauren Kelcher Stevenson
aff@sunshinesachs.com
o 512.646.0149
AUSTIN, Texas— November 8, 2018— Austin Film Festival (AFF), the premier Festival to recognize the writer’s contribution to film, is pleased to announce its 2018 Jury Award winners, Hiscox Audience and Courage Award Winners, and the Screenplay Competition winners.
The following Film Jury Award winners were selected by category:
Narrative Feature: Clara, written by Akash Sherman and James Ewasiuk
Documentary Feature: The Interpreters, directed by Andres Caballero and Sofian Khan
Comedy Vanguard Feature: In Reality, written by Ann Lupo, Esteban Pedraza, and Aaron Pryka
Dark Matters Feature: Ghost Light, written by Geoffrey Taylor and John Stimpson
Narrative Short presented by ShortsTV: Judas Collar, written by Alison James
Narrative Student Short: Woman in Stall, written by Josh Boles
Documentary Short: Father K, directed by Judd Ehrlich
Animated Short: Sister, written by Siqi Song
Scripted Digital Series presented by Stage 13: Song in the Sky, created by Samuel Frederich
After each Festival screening, audiences voted for the Hiscox Audience Awards, recognizing film favorites among the 2018 slate.
The following Hiscox Audience Award winners were selected by category:
Narrative Feature: Above the Clouds, written by Simon Lord
Documentary Feature: Care to Laugh, directed by Julie Getz
Dark Matters Feature: Alive., written by Jules Vincent and Chuck McCue
Comedy Vanguard Feature: In Reality, written by Ann Lupo, Esteban Pedraza, and Aaron Pryka
Texas Independent Feature: The Iron Orchard, written by Gerry De Leon and Ty Roberts
Narrative Short: Everything Mattress, written by Chase Joliet
Documentary Short: Father K, directed by Judd Ehrlich
Animated Short: Lost & Found, written by Bradley Slabe
Narrative Student Short: Tiny Warriors, written by Jono Chanin
Scripted Digital Series: The Gary Gold Story, created by Greg Ash
Marquee Feature: Green Book, written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Hayes Currie, and Peter Farrelly
One film was selected to receive the Hiscox Courage Award. Voted on by the audience, the Hiscox Courage Award is presented to the film that best embodies the virtue of courage and to the filmmaker who best embraced the risk to share the story. The 2018 Hiscox Courage Award was awarded to The Interpreters, directed by Andres Caballero and Sofian Khan. The Interpreters is a documentary feature that follows local interpreters from Iraq and Afghanistan who worked with US forces and are now trying to rebuild their lives.
The following Screenplay Competition winners were selected by category:
- Drama Screenplay Award presented by the Writers Guild of America, East: Horsehead Girls by Wenonah Wilms
- Comedy Screenplay Award presented by Sony Pictures Animation: Sex APPeal by Tate Elizabeth Hanyok
- Sci-Fi Screenplay Award: Our Own Devices by Paul Vance
- Enderby Entertainment Award (scripts that can be produced under $10 million): Project Horizon by Charles Morris, II
- Horror Screenplay Award: The Patience of Vultures by Greg Sisco
- AMC Drama Teleplay Pilot Award: Worth by Stuti Malhotra
- Comedy Pilot Award: What Will Jessie Do? by Kevin Luperchio
- Short Screenplay Award: Ruby Throat by Sarah Polhaus
- Scripted Digital Series Award presented by Stage 13: Epizootic by Dan Young
- Drama Teleplay Spec Award: The Handmaid’s Tale, “Rebels” by Angela Jorgensen
- Comedy Teleplay Spec Award: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, “Kimmy Volunteers!” by Maggie Gottlieb
- Playwriting Award: Particular Disposition by Benjamin Fulk
- Fiction Podcast Award: The Rest Stop at the End of the Universe by Samuel Suksiri
In addition, producer Barry Josephson announced the selected fellows for the inaugural Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship, which will provide a one-on-one mentorship with Josephson and his team in Los Angeles for the writers of one feature screenplay and one teleplay pilot.
The winners were:
- Feature Screenplay: The Death of Colm Canter by Revati Dhomse & Hector Lowe
- Teleplay Pilot: Lifers Anonymous by Sean Collins-Smith
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL:
Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. AFF is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department and the Texas Commission on the Arts. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. For media credentials, please contact Lauren Kelcher Stevenson at aff@sunshinesachs.com. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by phone at 1-800-310-FEST.
ABOUT HISCOX:
Hiscox is a global specialist insurer, headquartered in Bermuda and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:HSX). Our ambition is to be a respected specialist insurer with a diverse portfolio by product and geography. We believe that building balance between catastrophe-exposed business and less volatile local specialty business gives us opportunities for profitable growth throughout the insurance cycle. It’s a long-standing strategy which in 2017 saw the business deliver a profit before tax (excluding foreign exchange) of £93.6 million despite reserving net $225 million for claims in the most costly year ever for natural catastrophes.
The Hiscox Group employs over 2,700 people in 14 countries, and has customers worldwide. Through the retail businesses in the UK, Europe, Asia and the US, we offer a range of specialist insurance for professionals and business customers as well as homeowners. Internationally traded, bigger ticket business and reinsurance is underwritten through Hiscox London Market and Hiscox Re & ILS.
Our values define our business, with a focus on people, quality, courage and excellence in execution. We pride ourselves on being true to our word and our award-winning claims service is a testament to that. This information is neither intended nor should be construed to be a solicitation for the purchase of insurance by any US person or entity. For further information visit www.hiscox.com.
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