STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Sun Valley Film Festival could have trotted out one film and called it a day.
“Wild Life,” the opening film, walked away with the audience favorite, receiving the most votes from audience attendees, after five days of films.
The film, about former Patagonia CEO Kris Tompkins efforts to see her late husband Doug’s conservation efforts to fruition, won raves from the Sun Valley audience for its breathtaking scenery of Patagonia and its unusual love story between Kris and Doug, the founder of Espirit clothing. The National Geographic documentary was filmed by E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, who won an Oscar for “Free Solo.”
Other winners:
Best Narrative Feature Film - Awarded to the best narrative feature film in the festival.
WINNER: Fancy Dance, directed by Erica Tremblay and Produced by Variety’s Creative Impact in Producing Award recipient Nina Yang Bongiovi. Audience members applauded it for its honest depiction of modern tribal life, its humor and its joyous ending.
Jury members were Tucker Gates, Ali Larter and Valerie Steinberg.
Best Documentary Feature Film - Awarded to the best documentary feature film in the festival.
WINNER: Nascondino, directed by Victoria Fiore. The documentary follows a 9-year-old street kid in Naples.
Jury members were Jamie Gonçalves, Liza Richardson and Jessica Sanders.
One in a Million Awards - The One in a Million Awards honor feature length stories made for under one million dollars. One narrative and one documentary film are each awarded.
NARRATIVE WINNER: Fremont, directed by Rachael Fung. The drama follows a young woman and former military translator from Afghanistan whose life takes a turn when she gets a ob writing fortunes at a fortune cookie factory.
DOCUMENTARY WINNER: Bad Press, directed by Joe Peeler. The documentary about indigenous efforts in Oklahoma to take back freedom of the press has been copied by other nations, including the Sho-Ban at Fort Hall Reservation.
The SVShorty Award - The best short film across all categories. All shorts are eligible for this award.
WINNER: Walk Of Shame, directed by Dane Ray
SPECIAL MENTION: A Folded Ocean, directed by Ben Brewer
The Gem State Award - The best short film made in Idaho.
WINNER: A Parent, directed by Eve Weston and Martin McGreevy
Jury members were Araceli Lemos, Marc Mounier and Edson Oda.
SVFF Film & Screenwriting Competition Winners
High Scribe Award - The High Scribe honors an emerging voice in screenwriting with Academy Award Winning screenwriter Will McCormack and co-writers of Fancy Dance, Miciana Alise and Erica Tremblay.
WINNER: The First Michael, written by Michael Buonocore
Sun Valley Junior Filmmaker Awards - Showcases student-made films and encourages students in their craft, storytelling and self-expression.
HOT SHOT WINNER: Clairvoyant, written by Elijah Anthony Feigner
2nd PLACE: Room 101, written by Jerad Monasch
3rd PLACE: A tie between Ovaryacting written by Jordan Held & Hard Core written by Madeleine Case
The Gem State Jr. Award - The best short film made in Idaho by a Junior Filmmaker. The films in the Idaho Shorts program are eligible for this award.
WINNER: Pong, written by Fynn Erman
Jury Members were Richard Chew, Mort Nathan, David Friendly and Priscilla Nedd-Friendly.
Film Festival Founder Teddy Grennan said those who missed out can expect to see at least one of these films in the Film Festival’s new Encore film showing, which will be held next month.