Ending a Record 3-Week Run, Dances with Films (DWF:LA) Announces 2021 Award Winners at Closing Night Ceremony

    LOS ANGELES, CA, September 14, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For their 24th straight year, acclaimed festival Dances with Films (DWF:LA) returned with a bang to in-person screenings again (with their theme of 'Let's Get Physical') with an impressive list of films, new panels and categories added, and exciting guest honorees which concluded Sunday night, September 12th, with their closing night celebration and awards presentation at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Expanding to three weeks for 2021, DWF:LA showcased 40 Narrative Features, 100 Narrative Shorts, 31 Documentaries, 30 Midnight films, 26 Downbeat titles, 27 pilots, and 23 titles in the category of Dances with Kids. DWF:LA also debuted their "The First Films" speaker series which honored producer Michael London (with moderator John McNamara) for a conversation surrounding his incredible rise in the film industry and a screening of his film Trumbo, starring DWF:LA alumni Bryan Cranston. Oscar-nominated Director Paul Greengrass (with moderator Lloyd Levin) gave a virtual Q&A from London on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 followed by a screening of his Oscar nominated film United 93. Additional panels at this year's festival included the following subjects: Diversity & Inclusion, Distribution & Financing, Casting, and Television Pilots.

Excited to be back in person this year, the team behind DWF:LA said "the feeling was absolutely palpable in each screening and the theatre itself. It is clear how much people miss going to the movies... Let alone movies where they will have 'discovered' new voices, authenticity in vision and films that you won't be seeing next week at the multiplex. Team DANCES WITH FILMS created a unique and inviting atmosphere where connections were made among old friends as well as sparking lasting new relationships for projects yet to be envisioned. We are blessed to have had an amazing fest run this year and are thrilled to be looking to year 25 in 2022!"

Here is a list of this year's 2021 DWF:LA award winners…..

GRAND JURY AWARD - features
DREAMOVER
written & directed by Roman Olkhovka produced by: Nikita Yefimov
HONORABLE MENTIONS: MY FIONA & NEW YEAR
______________________________________________
GRAND JURY AWARD - shorts
ENOUGH
written by Caleb Slain & Nathan Nzanga
directed by Caleb Slain
produced by Max Losee, Ethan Seneker, Rick Stevenson, Hope Alexander, Jennette Vasiljevic, La' Charles Trask, Caleb Slain
HONORABLE MENTIONS: LIMINAL & OVER MY DEAD BODY
______________________________________________
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD - over 40'
VOODOO MACBETH
written by Agazi Desta, Jennifer Frazin, Morgan Milender, Molly Miller, Amri Rigby, Joel David Santner, Erica Sutherlin, Chris Tarricone
directed by Dagmawi Abebe, Victor Alonso-Berbel, Roy Arwas, Hannah Bang, Christopher Beaton, Agazi Desta, Tiffany Kontoyiannis Guillen, Zoe Salnave, Ernesto Sandoval, Sabina Vajraca
produced by Jason Phillips, Miles Alva, Xiaoyuan Xiao
______________________________________________
INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD - under 40'
PANT HOOT
directed & produced by Richard Reens executive producers: Barbara Hollweg, Lewis Hollweg
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - competition features
BENEATH THE BANYAN TREE
written & directed by Nani Li Yang produced by Nani Li Yang, Troy Chiu, Yue Wang
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - competition shorts
OH, BABY!
written by Brooke Trantor, Kate Morgan Chadwick
directed by Brooke Trantor
executive produced by Kate Morgan Chadwick, Roxanna Dunlop, Arden Grier, Marlo McGriff, Nick Pukstas, & Joey Oliva
produced by Brooke Trantor, Danielle Argyros, Courtney Stewart, Clayton Apgar, David & Michele Chadwick, Annie & Chobe Oliva, Tim Wright
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - fusion features
DELICATE STATE
written, directed & produced by Paula Rhodes
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - fusion shorts
SNAKE DICK
written & directed by David Mahmoudieh produced by George Lako, Annalea Fiachi, Josh Bachove
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - documentary feature
HOLY FRIT
written by Justin Monroe & Ryan Fritzsche directed by Justin Monroe
produced by Justin Monroe, Chris Saito, Kasey Monroe
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - documentary short
SKID ROW, LOS ANGELES
written & directed by Van Maximilian Carlson produced by Van Maximilian Carlson, Kirk Palayan
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - tv
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE
written & directed by Michele Palermo executive produced by Paul Prissel & Michele Palermo produced by Larry Gilbert & Lolly Howe associate producer Susie Kim
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - web
SPANKY
written & directed by Alex Martinez
produced by Spencer Valenzuela, Kirk Leins, Sundee Manusakis, Tanmay Mistry, Alex Martinez
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - downbeat
DESOLVIDO
written & directed by Andrés Roa Ariza produced by Colin Rogero & Andrés Roa Ariza
______________________________________________
AUDIENCE AWARD - dances with kidz pro
FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE:
WHEN BULLIES BECOME TROLLS
written & directed by Paul James Houghton produced by Connie Jo Sechrist & Lucas Ferrara

This year's in-person festival ran from August 26 – September 12 at the TCL Chinese Theaters, located at: Hollywood & Highland, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Recently selected by USA Today as one of the top 10 film festivals in North America, the dedicated team behind DWF:LA are constantly looking for the best in emerging talent with unique visions and storytelling. DWF:LA is one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United States and remains dedicated to creating opportunities and launching careers of exceptionally talented artists based on their talent alone. DWF:LA has cultivated a vibrant community of loyal filmmakers and alumni which includes such notables such as: Bryan Cranston (2000); Gina Rodriguez (2010); Jesse Eisenberg (2007); Ellen Pompeo (2003); Ryan Eggold (2010) and John Hawkes (2003) - are just a handful of examples of DWF: LA's family. In a world of homogenized, formulaic film festivals, DWF continues to defy the rules.

Media/Press Inquiries: Tad Hamilton/Mosaic PR - [email protected]

# # #