2011 Slamdance Film Festival: Award Winners

The 17th annual Slamdance Film Festival has handed out awards to 10 films out of the 83 movies that screened this year. A few films received multiple awards in different categories and several of the winners will be given a limited theatrical release sponsored by Slamdance later this year.
Awards were organized in the sections: Grand Jury Awards, Audience Awards and Sponsored Awards. The documentary Bhopali, directed by Van Maximillian Carlson about the effects of the horrific 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster, won both a Grand Jury and an Audience award. Another documentary, Shunka by CJ Gardella, won both an Audience and a Sponsored award.
Also, in addition to several winners, the Slamdance jury made several mentions to runners-up deserving special recognition. Those special jury notes are included in the full list of winners below.
Two films — the short Hello Caller by Andrew Putschoegl and the feature Superheroes by Michael Barnett — have been picked to join several other Slamdance winners for a limited theatrical tour that will include stops at the IFC Center in New York and 14 Pews in Houston.
Click here for the full lineup of films that screened at Slamdance this year. Below is the full list of award winners:
GRAND JURY AWARDS
Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Narrative Film
Winner: Stranger Things, dir. Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal
Special Jury Mention: Without, dir. Mark Jackson
The Slamdance jury would like to recognize Joslyn Jensen with a special jury award for her creative, nuanced, and moving performance in Without.
Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Documentary Film
Winner: Bhopali, dir. Van Maximillian Carlson
Special Jury Mention: Fordson, dir. Rashid Ghazi
The Slamdance jury was moved by this great American story about life, liberty and the pursuit of football.
Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Animated Short
Winner: Bottle, dir. Kirsten Lepore (Watch online)
Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Narrative Short
Winner: Bird, dir. Petr Stupin
Special Jury Mention: Son of None, dir. Todd Looby
For its compelling docudrama approach, wonderful lead performance, and stunning final sequence, the Slamdance jury would like to give a special mention to Son of None.
Grand Jury Sparky Award for Best Documentary Short
Winner: Oaks, dir. Charles Wittenmeier
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Audience Sparky Award for Best Narrative Film
Winner: Silver Tongues, dir. Simon Arthur
Winner also receives $3500 in Legal Services from Pierce Law Group
Audience Sparky Award for Best Documentary Film
Winner: Bhopali, dir. Van Maximilian Carlson
Winner also receives $3500 in Legal Services from Pierce Law Group
Spirit of Slamdance Sparky Award
Winner: Shunka, dir. CJ Gardella
Awarded by the Class of 2011 filmmakers to the film teams that best embodies the spirit of the festival, creatively promoting their film, joyfully participating in screenings and events, as well as showing exceptional talent as an artist. Sponsored by Good Health.
SPONSORED AWARDS
Kodak Vision Award for Best Cinematography
Winner: Shunka, dir. CJ Gardella
Winner also receives 10,000 feet of Kodak film for the filmmaker to make their next feature
Panasonic AF100 Award for Best “Road To Park City” Short Film Award
Winner: The Road to Park City Is Paved With Artists, dir. Kevin Brennan and Doug Manley
Slamdance / Adobe Re-cut Competition Award
Winner: Nelson Vunda
Slamdance Theatrical Release Offer Award
Feature Winner: Superheroes, dir. Michael Barnett
Short Winner: Hello Caller, dir. Andrew Putschoegl