Film News: Midwest Independent Film Fest ‘Best of the Midwest’ Best Feature is 'Cold War'

CHICAGO – On a cold day in January, it was a “Cold War” night. The Midwest Independent Film Festival “Best of the Midwest” (BMA) Awards for 2018 were given out on January 17th, 2019, and “Cold War” took home three major honors, including Best Feature.

The shot-in-Chicago indie film also won Best Director (J. Wilder Konschak and Stirling McLaughlin) and Best Actor (Michael Blaiklock). The Best Actress was Clare Cooney in her excellent short “Runner.” (also Best Short Film). The BMA Awards were hosted by Executive Director Amy Guth at the The Promontory in Hyde Park, Chicago.

The BMA Awards at The Promontory, January 17th, 2019
Photo credit: Amy Guth

The votes were tallied from internet survey and the Midwest Indie Awards Committee, and capped off a year of transition for the Festival, as Amy Guth took the reins as Executive Director in July. The breezy film-community-oriented night had a energetic vibe at The Promontory, with sponsorships by SAGIndie, Goose Island Brewery and El Nacimiento Hand-Crafted Tequila. The soundtrack for the evening was provided by renown DJ Ca$hEra.

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. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com participates on the Awards Committee and presented the BMA for Best Documentary Short.

The honorees for the 2018 “Best of the Midwest” Awards are as follows….

Best Music Video

4 LEAF CLOVER, directed by Andre Muir for Rayvn Lenae

Best Animated Film

LULLABY THEORIES: CEREAL FLUID, directed by Jonathan Lacocque and Clara Lehmann

Best Short Film

RUNNER, directed by Clare Cooney

For the HollywoodChicago.com interview of Clare Cooney, click here. [28]

Best Documentary Short
GRACE, directed by Rachel Pikelny

Best Editing

ATOMS OF ASHES, Chelsea Kiser and Diego Lopez

Best Cinematography

SAINTS REST, Matthias Grunsky

Best Screenplay

STAGE FOUR, Wendy Roderweiss

Best Female Actor

Claire Cooney, RUNNER

’Cold War’ is Best Feature at the Midwest Indie BMA Awards
Photo credit: Melissa Thornley

Best Male Actor

Michael Blaiklock, COLD WAR

Best Director(s)

J. Wilder Konschak and Stirling McLaughlin, COLD WAR

For the HollywoodChicago.com interview of J. Wilder Konschak and Stirling McLaughlin of COLD WAR click here. [29]

Best Feature

COLD WAR

[31]	By PATRICK McDONALD [32] Editor and Film Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [31]