The annual Maui Film Festival closed last week with an awards ceremony. This year’s edition of the festival drew 20,000 people. Festival director Barry Rivers said:
“From the constellation of stars that were honored to the overwhelming attendance at films, this was one of our best film festivals yet. Our screenings were more popular than ever and all of the solar panel venues ran like clock work, truly making this an event that supports the environment. We are enthusiastically looking forward to our 10 year anniversary next year.”
Here are the winners:
NARRATIVE FEATURE
Choke
Sam Rockwell, Anjelica Huston, Kelly Macdonald, Brad William Henke and Clark Gregg bring the world of cult idol/author Chuck Palahniuk to life in this dramedy about sexual addiction, friendship, mothers and sons, the so much more.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
The Human Experience
A band of brothers journeys from the streets of New York City to the Andes of Peru and the jungles of Ghana, Africa, to both reveal the beauty of human beings and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.
COMEDY FEATURE
Summerhood
Director Jacob Medjuck abandons all polite expectations writing for and directing his child actors, as if the characters of South Park and Charlie Brown staged a school play, in this summer camp caper.
NARRATIVE FEATURE, WORLD CINEMA
Captain Abu Raed
An exploration of the wisdom and bravery of an aging airport janitor, who is mistaken for an airline pilot by a group of poor neighborhood children, in Amman, Jordan. Winner of the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE, WORLD CINEMA
War Child
A chronicle of the tumultuous, inspiring, and ultimately hopeful life of Emmanuel Jal, a former child soldier of Sudan’s brutal civil war and now an emerging international hip-hop star.
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Fall
A love letter to cinema from director Tarsem, starring Lee Pace and shot in 24 countries around the world, delivers a spectacularly unforgettable fable for grown ups and children that will leave you mesmerized, hypnotized and deeply moved by its magical and mystical intelligence, humanity and style.
ENSEMBLE CAST (tie)
The Great Buck Howard
Colin Hanks, John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, Emily Blunt
Bottle
Bill Pullman, Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, Freddy Rodriguez, Eliza Dushku, Dennis Farina
EXPERIMENTAL FILM
Hawaiian Starlight
Seven years in the making, this awe-inspiring cinematic symphony reveals the magic of Mauna Kea and its connection to the Cosmos through striking time-lapse cinematography and a celestial musical score.
GREEN CINEMA (tie)
The Humpback Code
The film by the Maui-based Whale Trust Research Team provides the cornerstone for a breathtaking documentary that unravels some of the mysteries surrounding the mystical songs and social lives of humpback whales.
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
A compelling story of the first environmentalist and first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize presents an awe-inspiring profile of Maathai’s 30-year journey of courage to protect the environment, defend human rights, and promote democracy, all growing from the achievable act of planting trees.
NARRATIVE SHORT
Chief
DOCUMENTARY SHORT
Guardians of the Sea
ANIMATION
Hot Dog
THE MAVERICK AWARD
Pierce Brosnan, for his commitment to making films that matter and for his work for environmental justice and a better Earth
THE NAVIGATOR AWARD
Virginia Madsen, for carving a path of distinction through turbulent waters of the entertainment industry without sacrificng fundamental commitment to excellence
THE GALAXY AWARD
Dennis Quaid, for ongoing delivery of star-making performances to guarantee a spotlight in the constellation of cinematic stardom.
THE NOVA AWARD
Felicity Huffman, for stunningly original and seamless performances that infuse each character she plays with insight and wisdom