(July 2, 2007) 2007 LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Film Independent announced the winners for the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival at its Closing Night ceremonies on Sunday, July 1. The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Stephane Gauger’s Owl and the Sparrow. The Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature went to Greg Whiteley for Resolved. Stephen Walker’s Young @ Heart won the Audience Award for Best International Feature.

The award for Outstanding Performance in the Narrative Competition went to the ensemble cast of Chris Eska’s August Evening, which includes principal cast members Pedro Castaneda, Veronica Loren, Abel Becerra, Walter Perez, Sandra Rios, and Cesar Flores. Given to an actor or actors from an official selection in the Narrative Competition, this is the fourth year the award has been given out at the Festival.

The award for Best Narrative Short Film went to Radu Jude’s The Tube with a Hat. The award for Best Documentary Short Film went to David Fenster’s Wood. Fredrik Emilson’s Love and War won the award for Best Animated/Experimental Short Film.

The Audience Award for Best Short Film went to Dee Rees' Pariah. Joseph Kahn’s Knights of Cydonia won the Audience Award for Best Music Video for the band Muse.

As previously announced at the Festival’s Spirit of Independence event on Thursday, June 28, the Target Filmmaker Award (for Best Narrative Feature) went to Chris Eska for August Evening. The winner of the Target Documentary Award (for Best Documentary Feature) went to Jennifer Venditti for Billy the Kid. Each award carries an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target.

The Narrative Feature Competition jury was comprised of Karyn Kusama, Rob Nelson, and Tom Quinn. The Documentary Competition jury was comprised of Patrick Creadon, Rob Epstein, and Lisa Schwarzbaum.

This year the Festival received more than 4,500 submissions from filmmakers around the world with the final selections representing several World, North American, and U.S. premieres. More than 260 films and music videos screened at this year’s Festival.

“Film Independent works year round to spotlight deserving artists and their unique and diverse films,” said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. “We are thrilled that the Festival is a venue that continues to nurture and realize those goals.”

“The Festival offered more programs and events to the community in large part due to Westwood’s ideal location,” said Festival Director, Rich Raddon. “We are proud that audiences are given access to the films and events that make the Los Angeles Film Festival and the city itself unique.”

“The audience’s positive response to the diversity and range of Festival programming is extremely rewarding,” said Programming Director Rachel Rosen. “We’re proud to present these works by talented filmmakers whose unique vision captured the hearts and imaginations of festival-goers.”

The Festival kicked off on Thursday, June 21 with the Opening Night Gala selection, Talk to Me (Focus Features), directed by Kasi Lemmons. Fox Searchlight’s Joshua, directed by George Ratliff, screened as this year’s Centerpiece Premiere selection. The Closing Night film selection was Fox Searchlight’s Sunshine, directed by Danny Boyle.

In addition to the Festival’s Coffee Talks, Poolside Chats, Family Day, and other special events, this year the Festival celebrated Live Earth Day on Broxton Avenue.

Curtis Hanson served as the Guest Director for the Festival. In this role, Hanson attended the Filmmaker Retreat and programmed a sidebar of films that inspired his work.

Pharrell Williams served as this year’s Artist in Residence. As Artist in Residence, Pharrell selected two films which screened at the Festival, and participated in a Festival conversation with Elvis Mitchell, in cooperation with the Hammer Museum.

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