Patrick McDonald [1] reports on the events and the winners.
CHICAGO, IL – As a follow-up to yesterday’s article [2], here are the list of winners from December 2nd’s “Best of the Midwest Awards,” which recognizes the filmmakers and films from 2008 who participated in the Midwest Independent Film Festival, first Tuesdays every month at the Landmark Cinema in Chicago.
The festival’s representing director, Mike McNamara, was master of ceremonies for the sold out event. Presenters included Sun-Times columnist/TV movie host Richard Roeper, WGN-TV’s entertainment guru, Dean Richards, and The Director of the Illinois Film Office, Betsy Steinberg.
Chicago film luminaries in attendance included John McNaughton, director of “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” Steve James, creator of the famed documentary “Hoop Dreams” and Tim Evans of Steppenwolf Theater’s Film Division.
The packed-in and celebratory crowd watched Mike McNamara and the presenters announce the winners of the following awards…
Best Music Video
Game of Love, directed by Ruth Leitman for The Redwalls
See Game of Love [3]
Best Documentary
America the Beautiful, directed by Darryl Roberts
America The Beautiful Website [4]
HollywoodChicago.com Interview [5]
Patrick McDonald Review [6]
Best Short Film
Train Town, directed by Keith Bearden
Train Town Trailer [7]
Patrick McDonald Review [8]
Best Editing
Leslie Simmer, In the Family
In the Family Website [9]
Patrick McDonald Review [10]
Best Actor
John C. Reilly, The Promotion
The Promotion Website [11]
Best Actress
Virginia Madsen, Diminished Capacity
Diminished Capacity Trailer [12]
Patrick McDonald Review (scroll to bottom) [13]
Best Cinematography
John Luker, Grant Weiss and Joey Domaracki, Trilogy
Trilogy Part 1 [14]
Trilogy Part 2 [15]
Trilogy Part 3 [16]
Best Director
Steve Conrad, The Promotion
HollywoodChicago.com interview [17]
Best Feature
The Promotion, directed by Steve Conrad
Patrick McDonald Review [18]