The fourth annual Knoxville Film Festival took place August 26-28, 2016 at Downtown West Regal Cinema 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Film Festival is presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union and is produced in partnership by Secret City Films, Dogwood Arts, the Visit Knoxville Film Office and Regal Entertainment Group.
“From the first frame of Chad Cunningham’s “Opposite of Earnest” to the final selfie being made in the tent, the weekend was chock-full of energy, enthusiasm, camaraderie and, most importantly, terrific films of all genres. Dogwood Arts is proud and pleased to be a partner in this endeavor,” says Dogwood Arts Executive Director Tom Cervone.
The 2016 Awards were announced during a ceremony at the Knoxville Film Festival on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Regal Downtown West Cinema 8 at 6:30pm.
Over 80 films were screened at the 2016 Knoxville Film Festival. These films included 26 narrative shorts, 4 narrative features, 4 documentary features, 7 documentary short films, 4 web series pilots and short films from 2 filmmaking competitions. These films came from 13 states and 3 countries.
“The 2016 Knoxville Film Festival was, in my opinion, the most successful, energetic and fun film festival to date. Our audiences were interested and engaged and our filmmakers had an opportunity to share their tremendous talents with our community. I am proud that the KFF has become the “face” of the independent film community in East Tennessee,” says Knoxville Film Festival Executive Director Keith McDaniel.
And now…the awards go to…
Narrative Feature
1st Place: JUNE FALLING DOWN by Rebecca Weaver
2nd Place: JASMINE by Dax Phelan
3rd Place: RIDGE RUNNERS by Hunter West
Audience Favorite: RIDGE RUNNERS by Hunter West
Narrative Short
1st Place: WORTH THE WAIT by John Sinclair & Joel P. Perry
2nd Place: THE MOTHER by Paolo Monico
3rd Place: HERE LIES JOE by Mark Battle
Audience Favorite: WINTER’S JOURNEY by Susanne Boeing
Documentary Feature
1st Place: 91% by John Richie
2nd Place: PECH RIVER BOYS: TALES FROM AFGHANISTAN by Shannon & Jenny Fontenot
3rd Place: EARL HAMNER STORYTELLER by Ray Castro
Audience Favorite: 91% by John Richie
Documentary Short
1st Place: THE KNOXVILLE ICE BEARS: UNRIVALED by Nicky Alfieri
2nd Place: BOTTOMLESS by Veronique Vanblaere
3rd Place: LIFT LIKE A GIRL by Allie Sultan
Audience Favorite: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight
Web Series Pilot
1st Place: BOUNTY MOMMA by Wendy Keeling
2nd Place: SLICE by Marzy Hart
3rd Place: STATE OF FRANKLIN by Mitch Moore
Audience Favorite: STATE OF FRANKLIN by Mitch Moore
Tennessee Film Narrative
1st Place: HELEN AND THE GREATEST OF ALL by Matthew Fisher
2nd Place: THE SAURUS by Drew Maynard
3rd Place: MARY & MONTGOMERY by Emily Mastrapa
Audience Favorite: HELEN AND THE GREATEST OF ALL by Matthew Fisher
Tennessee Film Documentary
1st Place: THE KNOXVILLE ICE BEARS: UNRIVALED by Nicky Alfieri
2nd Place: LIFT LIKE A GIRL by Allie Sultan
3rd Place: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight
Audience Favorite: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight
7-Day Shootout Film Competition
Best Film [$5,000 Cash Prize]: AFTER LIFE CRISIS | Skitchbook with Flashpoint Creative, Team Leader: Matt Brewster
Best Poster: REAR VIEW | Twin Pines Pictures, Team Leader: Jeremy Lowery
Best Use of Music: ROBERT & NANCY | The vandygirls, Team Leader: Maranda & Elisa Vandergriff
Best Use of Elements: NEANDERBOB | Comedy Sutra, Team Leaders: Robert Ivkovic & Andrew McGary
Best Editing: AURA | Post Retro Productions, Team Leader: Jacob Boyd
Best Cinematography: HOME | WilBur, Team Leader: Kelly Burke & Curt Willis
Best Writing: AFTER LIFE CRISIS | Skitchbook with Flashpoint Creative, Team Leader: Matt Brewster
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Rachel Stacy | AURA | Post Retro Productions, Team Leader: Jacob Boyd
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Forrest Ferguson | THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Susannah Devereux| ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Mitch Moore | ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye
Audience Favorite: THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
Best Director: Niles Maddox | THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
2nd Place, : THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
3rd Place: ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye
ORNL Federal Credit Union Emerging Filmmaker Award [$1,000]: Nicholas Crockett | Terra Red
Student Filmmaking Competition
1st Place – Middle School
CRAIG POWERS – Rose Farahi / Jefferson Middle School
3rd Place – High School
FIST BUMPS VS. HIGH FIVES – Parker Korpak, Matthew Phillips, Foster Pearson / Farragut High School
2nd Place – High School
THE YELLOW WALLAPER – Jessica Borchert / Community Christian Academy
1st Place – High School
REC – Noah Mezzacappa, Lucas Baudry / Bearden High School
