Winners of the 17th-Annual Chicago Underground Film Festival

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CHICAGO – The winners of the 17th Chicago Underground Film Festival were announced, with the short film winners awarded on June 27th, and the feature-length winners revealed on July 2nd.

The festival kicked off on June 24th, and included two world premieres, five Midwest premieres and four Chicago premieres. The Audience Award went to local favorite “Scrappers,” from documentarians Ben Kolk, Brian Ashby and Courtney Prokopas. Winners received handmade art pieces constructed by Chicago artist Luke Breckon.

Frankie Latina’s ‘Modus Operandi’ won the Honorable Mention at the 17th Chicago Underground Film Festival Photo credit: Frankie Latina Motion Pictures

This year’s CUFF jury included media exhibition coordinator Ross Nugent, filmmaker Spencer Parsons and the Assistant Director of Video Data Bank, Brigid Reagan. Here are the complete lists of winners:

Chicago Underground Film Festival: Feature Film Competition Winners

Best Documentary Feature: “Scrappers” by Ben Kolak, Brian Ashby and Courtney Prokopas

Best Narrative Feature: “Stay the Same Never Change” by Laurel Nakadate

Honorable Mention: “Modus Operandi” by Frankie Latina

Chicago Underground Film Festival: Short Film Competition Winners

Made in Chicago Award: “Fantasy Suite” by Kent Lambert

Best Animation: “Everybody” by Steve Reinke and Jesse Mott

Best Experimental Film: “L’Internationale” by Marianna Milhorat

Best Documentary Short: “Sincerity: The Character of Ronald Reagan” by Chris Royalty

Best Narrative Short: “Home Movie” by Braden King

Honorable Mentions: “Golden Hour” by Robert Todd, “This Is My Show” by Lori Felker, “Voice on the Line” by Kelly Sears

By MATT FAGERHOLM Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com