The Bentonville Movie Basis celebrated the conclusion of their tenth anniversary yr on Sunday with the announcement of their narrative, documentary, brief movie and episodic winners.
The annual fest amplifies feminine, non-binary, LGBTQIA+, BIPOC and other people with disabilities’ voices in leisure. This yr’s occasion ran from June 10 to 16 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Suze from Linsey Stewart and Dane Clark received the competition’s greatest narrative function award. Of their assertion, the jury — which included Abbott Elementary star Lisa Ann Walter — famous that the movie “captivated us with its tender, humorous and charming portrayal of a modern-day odd couple. We have been blown away by Michaela Watkins and Charlie Gillespie, who flip in splendidly heartfelt and pleasant performances. This can be a movie that showcases the ability of compassion and the fantastic thing about unlikely friendships.”
In the identical class, Tokyo Cowboy obtained an honorable point out and Boca Chica took dwelling a particular jury recognition.
Daughters, directed by Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, received greatest documentary function. The film “highlights the love between these inside and outdoors,” the jury famous. “By deeply transferring tales and intimately portrayed characters, the movie is a testomony to the ability of affection.”
Unseen obtained an honorable point out, and We Are Guardians obtained a particular point out in the identical class.
Shimmer, from Alice Gu, received greatest brief movie, and The Ballad of Tita and The Machines obtained an honorable point out.
Gradual Gentle by Katarzyna Kijek, Przemysław Adamski received greatest animated brief, and Wander to Surprise obtained an honorable point out for inventive innovation.
Velocity of Sound by Jade Ang Jackman received greatest journey brief, and What About Me from William Lott and Josh Nadler received greatest episodic.
The competition additionally introduced Phoebe-Rae Taylor, star of Out of My Thoughts, with their See It, Be It award, which honors “somebody who has opened doorways for folks like them via their work and influenced the leisure trade and popular culture via the creation of content material that empowers tales which might be in any other case underrepresented.”
The Bentonville Movie Pageant is introduced in partnership with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, with Davis serving as competition chair. “Our tenth anniversary meant a lot to us,” Davis stated. “I’m so grateful to all the filmmakers on this yr’s slate for his or her unbelievable work and the gorgeous power they delivered to the competition.”
Davis’ basis additionally companions with colleges and group establishments to teach the difficult results of stereotyping, unconscious bias, and illustration imbalance of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, and individuals with disabilities.
The competition was introduced in collaborations with founding companion Walmart and presenting sponsor Coca-Cola. The Hollywood Reporter can also be a sponsor of the competition.