{"id":118882,"date":"2022-04-06T12:54:28","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T17:54:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=118882"},"modified":"2022-04-06T12:54:32","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T17:54:32","slug":"the-2022-oxford-film-festival-announces-award-winners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/the-2022-oxford-film-festival-announces-award-winners\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2022 Oxford Film Festival Announces Award Winners"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anna Baumgarten\u2019s\u00a0DISFLUENCY wins\u00a0<\/strong>
Best Narrative Feature, Brandon Kramer\u2019s\u00a0<\/strong>
THE FIRST STEP wins Best Documentary Feature<\/strong>

Ashley E. Gibson\u2019s THE FEARLESS 11 wins\u00a0<\/strong>
Best Mississippi Feature\u00a0<\/strong>
Brandon and Lance Kramer (The First Step<\/em>)<\/strong>,\u00a0Ashley E. Gibson (The Fearless 11<\/em>)
(Photos by Joey Brent)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2022\u00a0Oxford Film Festival announced the award-winning films and filmmakers at the conclusion of the in-person portion of this year\u2019s edition of the film festival at a warmly received filmmakers\u2019 brunch event on Sunday, March 27 at The Lyric.\u00a0

Anna Baumgarten\u2019s\u00a0Disfluency<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was named Best Narrative Feature, which included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision, and Brandon Kramer\u2019s\u00a0The First Step<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0won Best Documentary Feature. The Best Documentary Feature prize also included a $15,000 camera rental package from Panavision. Ashley E. Gibson\u2019s The Fearless 11 won Best Mississippi Feature. Her prize came with a\u00a0one-year membership and free equipment rentals from OxFilm Society.\u00a0Later, it was announced that Alysia Nahmias\u2019\u00a0Krimes<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0was the Audience Award winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Baumgarten\u2019s\u00a0Disfluency<\/em><\/strong>, the jury stated, \u201cWith subtlety and a distinct sense of place, this film thoughtfully explores the nuances of reeling from and beginning the ongoing process of healing from trauma. This deeply empathetic film also manages to assert the possibilities of language outside of the spoken word through showcasing how forms of communication like ASL allow us to be open and embody our truth in ways that our voice may not.\u201d\u00a0Kramer\u2019s documentary about Van Jones\u2019 efforts to achieve prison reform,\u00a0The First Step<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0elicited the following from the jury during its presentation;\u00a0\u201cAs they advocate at the highest levels of government for the First Step Act, Van Jones and team remind us that everyone has the responsibility to recognize humanity and dignity in each other across the perceived differences and backgrounds that presently serve to divide us.\u00a0The First Step<\/em>documents the tenuous nature of coalition building around social justice issues, offering no easy solutions to complex problems, and at the same time refusing to accept inaction as a path forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\"Oxford\"Oxford
Oxford FF\u2019s Jim Brunzell with Dale Dickey, Max Walker-Silverman<\/strong>
(Photos by Joey Brent)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


The first presentations of the Oxford Film Festival\u2019s previously announced Breakthrough Award and Rising Star Award went to Dale Dickey, the star of\u00a0A Love Song<\/em><\/strong>, and the film\u2019s director, Max Walker-Silverman, respectively. Interim Executive Director Jim Brunzell made heartfelt presentations to both Dickey and Walker-Silverman were visibly touched by his words on their behalf. That emotion carried through to the annual presentation of the Oxford FF\u2019s Volunteer of Year Award, which went to video team leader Antonio Terrell, who was clearly surprised and delighted by the announcement and presentation.

Regarding this year\u2019s edition of the popular event, Oxford Film Festival Director of Programming Justina Walford said,\u00a0“I am so proud of what the programming team brought to this festival, and I adore every film and filmmaker I’ve met this year. I wish we could give an award to each film for the unique voice and vision they brought to our festival.”

Awards for short films, student films and music videos included Jack Reynor\u2019s\u00a0Bainne\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(BEST SHORT);\u00a0Nolan Dean\u2019s\u00a0Nighthawks\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(BEST MISSISSIPPI SHORT); Christina Huff\u2019s\u00a0Slade Kyle\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(BEST STUDENT FILM); and Hunter Heath\u2019s\u00a0Every Breath You Take<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0by Emily White (BEST MUSIC VIDEO).

Films and filmmakers receiving Honorable Mentions included\u00a0Tom Huang\u2019s dramedy\u00a0Dealing with Dad<\/em><\/strong>. The jury stated, \u201cThis engaging family dramedy flips the cultural norm with a wonderful performance from the middle child, the only one their patriarch respects. Its perspective is a welcome change that moves the culture forward.\u201d Other honorable mentions included Pia Andell\u2019s short film\u00a0Rekonstruktio<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(for narrative achievement),\u00a0Jonathan Thomason\u2019s Divine Intervention: The D-Vine Spirituals Story\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(DOCUMENTARY SHORT); Sungbin Byun\u2019s\u00a0God\u2019s Daughter Dances\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>(LGBTQIA+ SHORT), and\u00a0John Rash\u2019s\u00a0Sam Wang: Centrpetal Persistence<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(MISSISSIPPI SHORT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s film festival jury included:<\/strong>

Narrative Features \u2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Tim Gordon (film critic, NPR, and Festival Director, Lakefront FF)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Kayla Myers (Programmer, Indie Memphis)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Eliza Hajkova (Manager of Development, SAGIndie)

Documentary Features –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jean Anne Lauer (Programmer, Fantastic Fest)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nat Dykeman (Founder, Lake County FF)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rachel Morgan (Creative Director, Sidewalk FF)

Music\/Shorts –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Geoff Marslett (Director,\u00a0The Phantom 52<\/em>,\u00a0MARS<\/em>)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jennifer Merin (Editor-in-Chief, AWFJ)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rich Gill (Program Director, Sound Unseen)

Mississippi Features & Shorts –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Bradley Bishop (Founder, The Lyric)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joseph Stinchcomb (Co-Owner, Bar Muse)
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mallory McClurg (Southern Glazer\u2019s Wine & Spirits)

This year\u2019s Oxford Film Festival had a decidedly different flair to it from the ringing of a gong to start the proceedings until the final screening, while still retaining the heart and joy the film festival has built its reputation on for nearly two decades. Starting with a raucous Opening Night screening of Hugo Sobelman\u2019s\u00a0Soul Kids<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0which brought Memphis to town (as the film festival frequently does) including a performance by the Stax Music Academy, music was one of many highlights this year, with performances prior to a number of screenings and the return of the festival\u2019s long partnership with Thacker Mountain Radio. Sunday featured an appearance by indie-music icon Suzanne Vega with the screening of her film\u00a0Lover, Beloved<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0about the legendary Carson McCullers, with the film\u2019s director Michael Tully.\u00a0

Additional screening highlights with attending filmmakers included\u00a0The Automat<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with director Lisa Hurwitz,\u00a0Being BeBe<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with director Emily Branham and producer Marc Smolowitz,\u00a0Cat Daddies<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0with director Mye Hoang (which included the filmmaker\u2019s introduction to Interim Executive Director Jim Brunzell\u2019s cat, Bruce), and\u00a0Dealing with Dad\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>with director Tom Huang.

Once again, red carpets were a hit with the filmmakers who flocked to Oxford for the film festival, as was the infusion of creatively themed parties and special panel events throughout the film festival including\u00a0a \u201cRoaring 20’s Celebration\u201d, a Filmmaker Roundtable and Songwriters in the Round, and a \u201cCasino Royale Party\u201d. However, no event epitomized the spirit and soul of the Oxford Film Festival more than the Tribute to Bill Luckett. The nearly sold-out event celebrated the life of the beloved Mississippi film producer, actor, businessman, arts supporter, former mayor of Clarksdale, and ubiquitous presence in the community. The evening reminded everyone of the strength of film in Mississippi and the people who continue to make it grow through the story and remembrance of Luckett\u2019s life that evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\"Oxford
(L to R): Hunter Heath, Emily White (Every Breath You Take<\/em>), Lance Kramer (The First Step<\/em>),
Max Walker-Silverman (A Love Song), Luis Agusto Figueroa (\u201cNando\u201d), Christina Huff (Slade Kyle<\/em>),
Tom Huang (Dealing with Dad<\/em>), Ashley E. Gibson (The Fearless 11<\/em>), Oxford FF\u2019s Antonio Terrell,
Dale Dickey (A Love Song<\/em>), Brandon Kramer (The First Step<\/em>)
(Photo by Joey Brent)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022 OXFORD FF AWARD-WINNING FILMS AND FILMMAKERS\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n


Individual Awards<\/u><\/strong>
Dale Dickey<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Oxford Film Festival Breakthrough Award

Max Walker-Silverman<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Oxford Film Festival Rising Star Award

Antonio Terrell<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Oxford Film Festival Volunteer of the Year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feature Film Awards<\/u><\/strong>
Disfluency \u2013 <\/em><\/strong>BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
Director: Anna Baumgarten
$15,000 camera rental package from Panavision

Dealing with Dad<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 HONORABLE MENTION
Director: Tom Huang 

The First Step<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Director: Brandon Kramer
$15,000 camera rental package from Panavision

The Fearless 11 <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 BEST MISSISSIPPI FEATURE
Director: Ashley E. Gibson 
One-year membership and free equipment rentals from OxFilm Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audience Award winner<\/strong>
Krimes<\/strong><\/em>
Director: Alysia Nahmias


Short Film & Music Video Awards<\/u><\/strong>
Bainne <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 BEST SHORT
Director: Jack Reynor
Three days of audio post-production from Taproot Design in Oxford

Nighthawks <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 BEST MISSISSIPPI SHORT
Director: Nolan Dean  
One-year membership and free equipment rentals from OxFilm Society

Slade Kyle <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 BEST STUDENT FILM
Director: Christina Huff 
Three days of audio post-production from Taproot Design in Oxford

Every Breath You Take<\/em><\/strong> by Emily White \u2013 BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Director: Hunter Heath 


Rekonstruktio<\/em><\/strong>\u2013 HONORABLE MENTION (for narrative achievement)
Director: Pia Andell

Divine Intervention: The D-Vine Spirituals Story <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 HONORABLE MENTION 
(DOCUMENTARY SHORT)
Director: Jonathan Thomason 

God\u2019s Daughter Dances <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 HONORABLE MENTION (LGBTQIA+ SHORT) 
Director: Sungbin Byun

Sam Wang: Centrpetal Persistence <\/em><\/strong>\u2013 HONORABLE MENTION (MISSISSIPPI SHORT)
Director: John Rash <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Screenplay Competition<\/u><\/strong>
\u201cNando\u201d<\/strong>
Writer: Luis Agusto Figueroa
$1000 cash prize
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL<\/strong>
The Oxford Film Festival was founded in 2003 to bring exciting, new, and unusual films (and the people who create them) to North Mississippi. The annual five-day festival screens short and feature-length films in both showcase and competition settings. The festival is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit\u00a0www.oxfordfilmfest.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Anna Baumgarten\u2019s\u00a0DISFLUENCY wins\u00a0Best Narrative Feature, Brandon Kramer\u2019s\u00a0THE FIRST STEP wins Best Documentary Feature Ashley E. Gibson\u2019s THE FEARLESS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":238,"featured_media":110208,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[19449,5,4,137],"class_list":["post-118882","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-film","tag-19449","tag-mississippi","tag-oxford","tag-oxford-film-festival"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/OxFilm-logo.jpg?fit=300%2C110&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118882","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/238"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118882"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118882\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110208"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118882"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118882"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118882"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}