Film News: Midwest Independent Film Festival’s ‘Best of the Midwest’ on Dec. 1, 2015

CHICAGO – On Tuesday, December 1st, the Midwest Independent Film Festival will award their 2015 “Best of the Midwest” with a ceremony at Rockit Bar & Grill, 22 W. Hubbard, in Chicago. The evening will be hosted by Festival Director Mike McNamara, and nominees include the short film “Baby Mary” (directed by Kris Swanberg), plus feature films “Full Frame” (directed by Christopher Kelley), and “Anguish” 
(directed by Sonny Mallhi).

Presented by the Midwest Independent Film Festival
Photo credit: MidwestFilm.com

A new category is being added this year, “Best Artistic Specialization.” This honors previously unsung production titles that are vital to the look and completion of their particular films. The Midwest Independent Film Festival is a year-round movie event in Chicago that takes place the first Tuesday of every month, at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema. The festival has been recognized by Chicago Magazine in their “Best of Chicago” issue, and has become one of the top places for local filmmakers, producers and actors to network in the city. The “Best of the Midwest” Awards has a number of film industry guests [20] scheduled to attend.

The nominees for the 2015 “Best of the Midwest” Awards are as follows….

Best Music Video

BRANDENBURG GATE, directed by Thom Glunt for Anti-Flag

LOW KEY, directed by Nick Offerman for Tweedy

IN THE WATER, directed by Preston and Parker Gibson for Beth Bombara

Best Short Film

BABY MARY, directed by Kris Swanberg

COUNTY STATE USA: SWEET CORN, directed by Jonathan Nowak

HAPPY HOUR, directed by Martin Rodahl
SERENITY, directed by Jack Dunphy

A MILLION MILES AWAY, directed by Jennifer Reeder

FLAT CHESTED, directed by Kristyn Benedyk

ON BEAUTY, directed by Joanna Rudnick


Best Editing

Christopher Kelley, FULL FRAME

Aaron Wickenden, ALMOST THERE

Katie Avery, FLAT CHESTED

Liz Kaar, ON BEAUTY

Brian Sepanik, HAPPY HOUR

Best Cinematography

Christopher Kelley, FULL FRAME

Mike Bove, UNCLE JOHN

Danny Valdez, DETROIT LIGHTS
Jason Chiu, HAPPY HOUR

Pete Biagi, FLAT CHESTED

Duncan Wolfe, PONOKOMITA

Best Artistic Specialization

Merje Veski, Art Direction, DIG TWO GRAVES

Jeff Baird and Jay Curran, Stunt Coordination, FULL FRAME

Molly McCandless and Shawn Spear, Stop Motion Animation, SLEEPY STEVE

Manuel Perez Pena, Art Direction, REVERSAL

Ross Thomas, Jenna Caravello and Peter Anton, Visual Effects, ALMOST THERE

Best Screenplay

Erik Crary and Steven Piet, UNCLE JOHN

Jim Thompson and Martin Rodahl, HAPPY HOUR
Jon Higgins and David Eisenberg, WITNESSES

Kristyn Benedyk, FLAT CHESTED

Sonny Mallhi, ANGUISH

Hunter Adams and Jeremy Phillips, DIG TWO GRAVES

Best Female Actor

Carisa Barreca, DOOMSDATE

Donna Steele, REVERSAL

Blair Beeken, SETTLED

Sue Gillan, THE AFTER PARTY

Ann Sonneville, DIG TWO GRAVES

Best Male Actor

Alex Beh, WARREN

Danny Goldring, DIG TWO GRAVES

Alex Moffatt, UNCLE JOHN

Charles Whitcomb, FULL FRAME
Marcus Truschinski, WITNESSES

Bill McGough, REVERSAL

Tyler Smith, GOODNIGHT JEFFREY

Best Director

Kris Swanberg, BABY MARY

Jennifer Reeder, A MILLION MILES AWAY

Jonathan Nowak, COUNTY STATE USA: SWEET CORN

Stephen Piet, UNCLE JOHN

Sonny Mallhi, ANGUISH

Alex Beh, WARREN

Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden, ALMOST THERE

Best Feature

WARREN, directed by Alex Beh

DIG TWO GRAVES, directed by Hunter Adams

ALMOST THERE, directed by Dan Rybicky and Aaron Wickenden

ANGUISH, directed by Sonny Mallhi

FULL FRAME, directed by Christopher Kelley

UNCLE JOHN, directed by Steven Piet

[22]	By PATRICK McDONALD [23] Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [22]