Los Angeles, Calif. – (June 20, 2022) –The most defiantly independent film festival, DANCES WITH FILMS (DWF:LA), who celebrated 25 years of championing innovation, talent, and diversity, closed its 2022 festival on Juneteenth to further shed light on this important legal holiday. Closing out the festival was thriller Ghostwritten, starring Jay Duplass as well as an awards ceremony honoring the best of the best in independent films. This year’s lineup included topics such as women’s rights, segregation, homelessness, mental health, refugee stories, and sexual abuse. Please see the full list of winners below!
GRAND JURY AWARD for Features
written & directed by Anike L. Tourse
produced by: Daniel Sollinger (Lead Producer), Nadia Voukitchevitch (P), Anike Tourse (P) Angelica Salas (EP),Zerihoun Yilma (AP), Emiliana Guereca (AP), Paulina Villaba (Co-P), Diana Haro (Co-P)
HONORABLE MENTION: JASMINE IS A STAR
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GRAND JURY AWARD for Shorts
written & directed by Liang-Chun Lin
produced by Taylor Poling
HONORABLE MENTIONS: KICKSTART MY HEART/
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GRAND JURY AWARD for Documentaries
directed by Bradley Berman
produced by Chris Metzler
HONORABLE MENTIONS: GREEN FORESTS AND THE RED CARPET and MAKING A KILLING
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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – over 40’
written by Zita Bai
directed by Jesse Dvorak
produced by Qiyu Zhou & Zeron Zhao
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INDUSTRY CHOICE AWARD – under 40’
written by Elizabeth Packett
directed by John Sheedy
produced by: Andre Lima
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AUDIENCE AWARD – COMPETITION FEATURES
written & directed by Anike L. Tourse
produced by: Daniel Sollinger (Lead Producer), Nadia Voukitchevitch (P), Anike Tourse (P) Angelica Salas (EP),Zerihoun Yilma (AP), Emiliana Guereca (AP), Paulina Villaba (Co-P), Diana Haro (Co-P)
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AUDIENCE AWARD – COMPETITION SHORTS
written & directed by Kyle Lau
produced by Joyce Liu-Countryman
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AUDIENCE AWARD – FUSION FEATURES
written & directed by Nick Richey
produced by Nick Richey, Ali Richey, Zach Mann, Ben Jagger,
Nathan Presley, Warren Pereira, Phoenix Vaughn & Trevor Lee Georgeson
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AUDIENCE AWARD – FUSION SHORTS
written by Nik Sysuev
directed by Ira Storozhenko
produced by Nik Sysuev, Roxanne Griffith, Bryce Fishman
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AUDIENCE AWARD – DOCUMENTARY FEATURES
written by Jason Loftus, Masha Loftus & The Pearman Brothers
directed by Jason Loftus
produced by Jason Loftus, Masha Loftus,
Yvan Pinard & Kevin Koo
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AUDIENCE AWARD – DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
written, directed & produced by Cheryl Bookout & Cheri Gaulke
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AUDIENCE AWARD – PILOTS TV
written by Robert Luther
directed by Wyatt Barclay & Robbie Luther
produced by Wyatt Barclay, Kevin Tolby & Robbie Luther
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AUDIENCE AWARD – PILOTS WEB
written by Ahsan Ali, Lisa Jill Anderson & Stephen Brown
directed by Chelsea Gonzalez
executive produced by Lisa Jill Anderson, Ahsan Ali, Stephen Brown
produced by Lisa Jill Anderson, Chelsea Gonzalez
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AUDIENCE AWARD – DOWNBEAT
written by Erika Hamilton
directed by Portlynn Tagavi
produced by Erika Hamilton, Alexis Sterling & Diana Zollicoffer
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AUDIENCE AWARD – DANCES WITH KIDZ PRO
written & directed by Cheryl Allison
produced by Alison Smith, Natalie Murray, Cheryl Allison
About Dances With Films
In 1998 DWF began as a film festival dedicated to finding tomorrow’s talent today and continues to carry on this mission. With many World and West Coast Premieres, DWF provides a coveted first stop on the festival circuit. With a vast number of submissions, the selection process is based solely on merit and discoverability. DWF continues its dedication to and is a devoted champion of fresh and creative voices. For the past 25 years, DWF has proudly provided access and opportunity to thousands of films and filmmakers from all over the world who diligently work year after year to see their dreams realized.
