SXSW Film Festival Unveils 2020 Winners After Cancellation

Dave McNary
·13 min read

Click here to read the full article.

Though this year’s SXSW was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the film festival held annually in Austin, Texas announced 2020 award winners.

Cooper Raiff’s comedy “Shithouse” has won the SXSW Grand Jury Award in the narrative feature competition, and Katrine Philp’s “An Elephant in the Room” took home the top prize for documentary features.

More from Variety

SXSW announced the recipients of its 12 jury awards Tuesday, two days after the 27th annual festival was expected to end. This year’s event was originally scheduled for March 13 through March 22. Prior to its cancellation, the SXSW Film Festival had several special awards juries already in place, and expanded to all juried competitions once the majority of the filmmakers opted in and juries were available.

“When we curated and announced our slate for the 2020 SXSW Film Festival, filled with an array of wonderful films we were excited to share with our unique audience, we had no idea of the unprecedented impact that coronavirus would have on all our lives,” said festival director of film Janet Pierson. “Our hearts were broken for all the filmmakers who invested so much time and talent in their work, hoping for a transformative experience at our event.”

Other festival winners include Tomer Shusan’s “White Eye” for narrative short and Carol Nguyen’s “No Crying at the Dinner Table” for documentary short. Nadja Andrasev’s “Symbiosis received the animated shorts award and Santiago Menghini’s “Midnight” won the Midnight shorts category.

“We’re honored to at least be able to present our juried and special awards,” Pierson said. “We know that it’s no substitute for the actual festival’s vitality, enthusiasm, and potential for surprising outcomes — and that it is only available to a small fraction of our program — but we hope it will help garner some well-deserved recognition for these wonderful works.”

This year’s program would have had 135 feature films, including 99 world premieres and 75 films from first time filmmakers. It also had scheduled 119 short films; 12 episodic premieres, seven special events, 14 episodic pilots, 30 title design entries, and 27 virtual cinema projects.

See the complete winners list below:

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
Winner: Shithouse
Director: Cooper Raiff
“Imbued with the sweet, heart-on-sleeve sensibilities of Before Sunrise, triple threat writer/director/star, Cooper Raiff’s earnest portrait (and directorial debut) of a lonely college freshman and the girl he forges a magnetic connection with is refreshing and winningly sincere. The Grand Jury Prize goes to Shithouse.”

Special Jury Recognition for Directing: Topside
Directors: Celine Held, Logan George
“These two directors create a textured urban underground world to tell a poignant story of survival and sacrifice when a mother and daughter’s home is uprooted. The kinetic filmmaking that defines their film Topside results in a gripping and emotional viewing experience. The SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Directing goes to Celine Held and
Logan George.”

Special Jury Recognition for Acting: Really Love
Director: Angel Kristi Williams
Actors: Kofi Siriboe, Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing

“The power and excitement in this modern romance comes from the chemistry and depth of its two leads. Their subtle performances and undeniable screen charisma give this love story its emotional stakes. The SXSW Special Jury Recognition for Acting goes to Kofi Siriboe and Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing.”

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Winner: An Elephant in the Room
Director: Katrine Philp
“Grief is one of the most challenging subjects for any filmmaker. The grief of young children even more so. In An Elephant in the Room, Katrine Philp follows a group of kids as they work with a grief counseling center in New Jersey. And while the resulting film is certainly heartbreaking, thanks to the director’s artistry and sensitivity it is also inspiring, uplifting, and
— especially in these troubled times — essential.”

Special Jury Recognition for Achievement in Documentary Storytelling : The Donut King
Director: Alice Gu
“The many stories about Cambodian refugees arriving in America in the ‘70s are often overlooked. With The Donut King, first-time director Alice Gu puts a spotlight on entrepreneur Ted Ngoy and delivers a finely-crafted and timely immigrant narrative that is a story about the American dream as much as it is a story of redemption and overcoming adversity to leave a
lasting legacy.”

Special Jury Recognition for Breakthrough Voice: Finding Yingying
Director: Jiayan & Shi
“This poignant documentary, which follows the story of Yingying Zhang, a Chinese graduate student whose disappearance in America leads her family to come search for her, combines the care and steadfastness of a true-crime procedural with a rare sensitivity to questions of cultural difference, family dynamics, and the immigrant experience.”

Short Film Grand Jury Awards

NARRATIVE SHORTS
Winner: White Eye
Director: Tomer Shushan
“This timely and profoundly layered story captivated judges with its quiet and artful approach. Its combination of virtuosic camerawork, powerful performances and deeply human message is sure to connect with all who see it for this reason we are pleased to award it the Narrative Short Film Competition Jury Award.”

Special Jury Recognition for Acting: Dirty
Director: Matthew Puccini
Actors: Morgan Sullivan, Manny Dunn
“The jury were impressed by the way this deceptively simple short combined an uncompromising approach to sexuality with tenderness and humor, and by the nuanced, authentic performances of the two lead actors. The filmmaker courageously tackled a sexual situation that is rarely portrayed on screen, and made it feel intimate and real.”

Special Jury Recognition: Darling
Director: Saim Sadiq
“This dramatic short wowed judges with its story, performances and execution. A stunning work about the complicated social dynamics of queer love that says so much through simple looks and gestures. Its most poignant moments are almost entirely speechless.”

Special Jury Recognition: Single
Director: Ashley Eakin
“A comedic short with wit and bite, Single subverts viewers’ expectations with purpose and an unapologetic voice. The layered performances are also worthy of commendation.”

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS
Winner: No Crying at the Dinner Table
Director: Carol Nguyen
“The way that No Crying at the Dinner Table uses one of documentary’s core components — the sit-down interview — to excavate undiscussed pain in the director’s own family is insightful, raw, and, ultimately, extraordinary.”

Special Jury Recognition: Mizuko
Directors: Katelyn Rebelo, Kira Dane
“By blending animation with live action footage, Mizuko defies expectations of what a nonfiction film can be and do, while offering up material that’s both vulnerable and moving, elevating a personal narrative seen through a new lens.”

Special Jury Recognition: Día de la Madre
Directors: Ashley Brandon, Dennis H?hne

“Unexpected encounters that reveal themselves into just the sweetest thing ever.”

MIDNIGHT SHORTS
Winner: Regret
Director: Santiago Menghini
“In Regret, the storytelling is simple but concise, allowing the tension to build at an effective pace. When paired with its strong lead actor, horrific creature design and precise visual execution, this film earns the top honor in this year’s Midnight Shorts category.”

Special Jury Recognition: Laura Hasn’t Slept
Director: Parker Finn
“Filmmaker Parker Finn has created a terrifying vision of a nightmare world in Laura Hasn’t Slept. This short’s tone, pacing, and set design bring the viewer completely into the main character’s experience, and it’s shocking reveal is sure to leave viewers wanting more. We are proud to award Laura Hasn’t Slept with a Special Jury Recognition.”

Special Jury Recognition for Creature Design: Stucco
Director: Janina Gavankar, Russo Schelling
“We wish to highlight the beautifully grotesque and deeply unsettling creature design of Stucco. Clive Barker would be proud, which is why we award the short the Special Jury Recognition for Creature Design!”

ANIMATED SHORTS
Winner: Symbiosis
Director: Director: Nadja Andrasev
“Beautifully simplistic in style, but powerful in content… We were blown away at how this film tackles the complex emotions of betrayal, loneliness, and curiosity, all while exploring different expressions of femininity. It asks the viewer to contend with their own empathy and curiosity about how the tale will unfold. It left us genuinely engaged, and wondering what would happen
next. In today’s day and age seeing, this story told through the beautiful craft of animation was impactful and in an unexpected way.”

Special Jury Recognition: No, I Don’t Want to Dance!
Director: Andrea Vinciguerra
“This dark tale is told brilliantly with characters crafted meticulously from tactile materials and animated frame by frame. The end result is a relatable and laughable cautionary tale. The craftsmanship of this film and the balance of whimsy and dark humor was deserving of recognition.”

Special Jury Recognition: The Shawl
Director: Sara Kiener
“The exuberant characters, whose story comes to life in this film, tickled our hearts. We were delighted as this film reminded us that animation in its simplest form when done right can capture the joy and nuance of our daily lives and love affairs.”

MUSIC VIDEOS
Winner: 070 Shake – ‘Nice to Have’
Director: Noah Lee
“A stunningly beautiful yet tragic exploration of the lives impacted by a fantastical traffic accident. Not only was it impressive in execution, but a poignant reminder to appreciate the people around us in this new world that we find ourselves in.”

Special Jury Recognition for Animation: Mitski – ‘A Pearl’
Director: Saad Moosajee, Art Camp
“The jury would also like to give a special recognition award to the music video “A Pearl” by Mitski for Outstanding Achievement in Animation, directed by Saad Moosajee and Art Camp.”

Special Jury Recognition for Direction: The Lumineers – ‘Gloria’
Director: Kevin Phillips
“We would like to present a special recognition award to Kevin Phillips for Outstanding Achievement in Direction for the music video “Gloria” by The Lumineers.”

TEXAS SHORTS
Winner: Just Hold On
Director: Sam Davis, Rayka Zehtabchi
“A lovely little documentary with a big giant Texas-sized heart, Just Hold On charmingly shares the story of an inspiring young girl that overcomes the odds and captures the hearts of an entire Houston, Texas stadium. The structure of the film creates a space of powerful and emotional storytelling. Sam and Rayka truly capture Texas soul and authenticity in this film.”

Special Jury Recognition: Coup d’etat Math
Director: Sai Selvarajan
“Coup D’etat Math is an inventive and complex film about the struggles of the refugee community. The social realism captured in the film’s animation adds an element of vulnerability and rawness to the storyline. Sai’s intentional and thoughtful approach is illustrated in every detail of the film. It presents a rich visual tapestry of mixed media combining animation and live-action with gripping stories of pathos and human resilience.”

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SHORTS
Winner: Wish Upon a Snowman
Director: Miu Nakata
“Wish Upon a Snowman is a world unto itself. The imagination to conceive of as well as the discipline required to spin this yarn puts this disturbingly charming film in a class of its own.”

Special Jury Recognition: Narrative
Winner: Ultimatum
Director: Kai Hashimoto
“Ultimatum is taut, twisted and terrifying. Chillingly economical with great sound and set design.”

Special Jury Recognition: Documentary
Winner: Unveiled
Director: Sofia Bajwa
“Beyond the labels, the misconceptions, Unveiled confidently and proudly defies the stereotypes to reveal the girls beyond our prejudice.”

Special Jury Recognition: Animation
Winner: The Orchard
Director: Zeke French
“The Orchard is ambitious and epic with a heartfelt yet comedic core.”

EPISODIC PILOT COMPETITION
Winner: Embrace
Director: Jessica Sanders
“For its originality of voice, its depiction of characters and relationships that are both enigmatic and appealing, as well as telling an absorbing story in a world unseen on television at the moment — the jury is awarding its top prize to the Episodic Pilot Competition to Embrace. With real laughs and real heart, the presentation promises a wholly unique TV series with characters we’re eager to learn more about. The jury offers congratulations to the whole creative team on this excellent, thoughtful, funny and professional project — and are thrilled to be able to give it our top commendation.”

Special Jury Recognition for Drama: Chemo Brain

Director: Kristian H?skjold
“The Jury is pleased to bestow its Special Recognition for Drama Jury Award to the unapologetically honest, deeply touching yet unsentimental Chemo Brain. Told over four complete episodes — a huge achievement in itself — Kristian H?skjold directs a series he co-creates with Johan Wang that depicts the indignities of illness and the struggle of hope with an understatement that only the best dramas achieve.”

Special Jury Recognition for Comedy: Lusty Crest
Director: Kati Skelton
“For its incredibly ambitious story-telling, stylistic extravagance, completely original blend of
absurdist melodrama, confident comedic filmmaking and just pure lustiness the Special
Recognition for Comedy Jury Recognition goes to Lusty Crest. Kati Skelton both writes and
directs this technicolor fever dream with a commitment and confidence that both successful
humor and absorbing surrealism demand.”

SXSW Film Design Awards
EXCELLENCE IN POSTER DESIGN
Winner: Laura Hasn’t Slept
Designer: Olivier Courbet
“The poster for Laura Hasn’t Slept really stood out to us. It’s a bold design with an excellent concept.”
Special Jury Recognition: The Donut King
Designer: Andrew Hem & Charlie Le
“The Donut King’s poster is undeniably fun and makes us really want to see the movie.
Personally, we love illustrated movie posters and the illustration is really good here.”

EXCELLENCE IN TITLE DESIGN
Winner: See
Designer: Karin Fong

“See stands out to us as a unique and beautifully-executed main title. We love the quick glimpses into the darkness, giving you just enough time to comprehend your surroundings. CG ropes are artfully directed with a light, elegant and ultimately fleeting aesthetic. Along with the visuals, the environmental sound design used in the almost absence of a discernible musical theme adds to the feeling of losing sight.”
Special Jury Recognition: Why We Hate
Designers: Allison Brownmoore, Anthony Brownmoore
“Why We Hate is a haunting look at humanity’s past with scenes that contrast bright symbols with dark moments in time. Beautifully done transitions and color treatment bolster the power of the images. What is added to the photos is as powerful as what is lost.”

SXSW Special Awards
Adam Yauch H?rnblowér Award

Presented to: In and of Itself
Director: Frank Oz

Adobe Editing Award

Presented to: You Cannot Kill David Arquette
Editor: Paul Rogers and Additional Editing By David Darg

Final Draft Screenwriters Award

Presented to: Best Summer Ever
Screenwriters: Michael Parks Randa, Will Halby, Terra Mackintosh, Andrew Pilkington, Lauren
Smitelli

Louis Black “Lone Star” Award

Winner: Miss Juneteenth
Director: Channing Godfrey Peoples

Special Jury Recognition for Acting:
Winner: Rob Morgan from Bull
Director: Annie Silverstein

Special Jury Recognition for Documentary:
Winner: Boys State
Directors: Amanda McBaine, Jesse Moss

Vimeo Staff Pick Award

Presented to: Vert
Director: Kate Cox

Zeiss Cinematography Award
Winner: Echoes of the Invisible
Director: Steve Elkins

Best of Variety

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next