Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our view: The wolves' way ... Readings of new plays by local playwrights featured ... Ticket availability ... Our view: The wolves' way ... Readings of new plays by local playwrights featured ... Ticket availability ... ASHLAND INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Comment By Local report DailyTidings.com By Local report Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 10:40 AM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 5:10 PM By Local report Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 10:40 AM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 5:10 PM » RELATED CONTENT • What was your favorite film? • A scoop from the ocean: Reviews of four festival films » Social News A documentary about comedian-turned-activist Russell Brand, a real-life western and a film about 5-year-old "Batkid" battling cancer are among the award winners in the 14th annual Ashland Independent Film Festival, which concluded Monday, April 13. The awards were announced Sunday during a celebration gala at the Historic Ashland Armory. Twelve awards were presented to attending filmmakers. The 2015 Rogue Award, announced Saturday, went to Olympic champion Greg Louganis. In 1988, Louganis became the first man to sweep the diving events in consecutive Olympic games, sparking a worldwide fascination with diving. Louganis shared his story in the documentary "Back on Board: Greg Louganis," directed by Cheryl Furjanic, revealing the complicated life of the pioneering, openly gay athlete who revealed his HIV-positive status, at great risk to his career. Earlier in the week, the AIFF presented award-winning director Ondi Timoner with the inaugural AIFF “No Limits” Award in recognition of her fearless filmmaking and unique storytelling style in her latest film, "BRAND: A Second Coming." The film follows comedian, author and activist Russell Brand’s evolution from a superficial Hollywood star and addict to a political disrupter and unexpected hero to the underserved. "Western," directed by Bill and Turner Ross, took home the Les Blank Award for Best Feature Length Documentary, bestowed by the festival’s jurors. This real-life western puts a human face on an uncertain new reality of two border towns. "Barge" and "Cartel Land" received honorable mentions. Sharing the Rogue Creamery Audience Award for Best Documentary were "FRAME BY FRAME," about four Afghanistan photographers, and "Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around the World," about  5-year-old Miles Scott, a Klamath Falls boy fighting cancer whose dream of becoming Batkid is realized in San Francisco, drawing attention from billions of online followers. "Imperial Dreams," directed by Malik Vitthal, about a former gang member trying to restart his life as a father in Watts, Calif., received the festival’s jury award for Best Narrative Feature film and won the Varsity Audience Award for Best Feature. Another double winner was "One Year Lease," a short comedy about three roommates enduring a year with their meddling, cat-loving landlady, taking home the Juried Best Short Documentary prize and the Audience Award for Best Short Documentary. "Birthday," about a woman who learns her husband is severely wounded in combat, took home the Jim Teece “Local Hero" Audience Award for Best Short Film. The Audience Family Choice Award went to "The Dam Keeper," an animated short about a bullied pig whose new job is to keep the town safe. The jury award for Best Editing: Feature Length Documentary went to "Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck," directed by Brett Morgan. The juried award for Best Short Film went to "SKUNK," about a 14-year-old girl in rural Texas whose deep connection is with a pack of rescued dogs. "Stop" received an honorable mention. "Wildlike," a feature film about a 14-year-old runaway in the Alaskan frontier, won the Jim Giancarlo Award for Best Acting Ensemble and the Gerald Hirschfeld A.S.C. Award for Best Cinematography. "Proud Citizen" received an honorable mention. Hirschfeld, an Ashland resident, was the 2007 A.S.C President's Award Honoree and director of photography for films such as "Young Frankenstein" and "My Favorite Year." For more information and to read complete film synopses, visit ashlandfilm.org.   By Local report DailyTidings.com By Local report Posted Apr. 13, 2015 at 10:40 AM Updated Apr 13, 2015 at 5:10 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501