We are proud to announce that the first VAiFF virtual film festival was a success! Simulcasting on FB Live, YouTube Live, Periscope and Linked In Live, the pandemic did not prevent us from honoring and celebrating the hard work and dedication of our independent filmmakers.
A very special thank you to Mr. Peter Hawley, Director of the Illinois Film Office, who opened the awards weekend with a special Q&A about Covid-19, how it’s affected the industry and how the industry is fighting back.
We’d also like to thank Mr. Jon Alston for his personal and insightful Q&A about the race debate in the United States and the inclusion of his film ‘Augustus’ into this year’s ‘Spotlight Screening’. Finally, we’d like to thank Mr. Maurice Proffit, the first VAiFF Production Grant Winner as he discussed his one on one mentorship, his short film project, how it was cut short by the Covid-19 pandemic and the plans in place to premiere it next year at the 2021 film festival.
Join me in congratulating our 2020 winners, as first selected by the public and then our industry professional and celebrity judges:
ANIMATION winner “Yuan Yuan and the Hollow Monster” from writer, producer and director Catherine Chen
CHILDREN/FAMILY winner “A Home For Curiosities” written and directed by Ben Tobin
COMEDY winner “Promises” from producer / director Phranque Wright
DOCUMENTARY winner “Sobering Stories: Stefan” from producer, director Peter Litton
DRAMA winner “Nadia Jaan” from writer, producer and director Enrico Falconi
EXPERIMENTAL winner “The Book of Faces” from writer, producer and director Rus Robert Blemker
FOREIGN winner “Call Danny” written and directed by Jesse Galofaro
HORROR / THRILLER winner ”Cringe” from producers Scott Leiendecker, Frank Cambeletta & Jeremy D. King and director Leo Ramsey
MUSIC VIDEO winner “Adam & Steve” performed by Dorian Electra and co-directed by Weston Allen and Dorian Electra
TV/WEB PILOT winner “Flawed is the New Perfect” directed by Modiyar Abdukadyrov SPECIAL HONORABLE MENTION to Cheryl Briggs the Director of “Positive Parenting Fables” 2020 PRODUCTION GRANT Winner Liz Lugo the writer, producer and director of Run. Hide. Pray.
VAiFF Season 5 Submission window opens soon! Follow us on FB, Instagram, Twitter. Join our mailing list for all of the latest information.
THE GRAND PRIZE!
SELECT GRAND PRIZE WINNERS will ALSO be awarded a low budget film grant, to produce a short film that must premiere at the following years Various Artists independent Film Festival ceremony!
But that’s not all. The selected winner will receive one on one educational and mentorship opportunities with step by step production instruction along the way. From development, through production and all the way to completion and delivery, there is no reason to fear the next step of your career, we are a community of artists and you will not be alone.
You will receive instruction from working industry professionals that will meet you at your skill level and take you further than you thought you could ever go.
The selected GRAND PRIZE WINNER will be announced LIVE at the conclusion of each yearly festival and competition screenings.
