Migrating with rain

Awards, bluegrass, crawfish and dancing wrap up film festival

Rain didn’t stop the festivities May 17 for the Little Rock Film Festival’s awards ceremony and gala, it just moved them a few blocks.

Originally planned to take place at the Old Statehouse Museum, the awards were handed out at the Ron Robinson Theater, followed by the Crawfish Boil, Bluegrass and Beer party at the River Market Pavilion.

Ten awards were presented during the ceremony, including four to Arkansas winners. Best Performance in an Arkansas Film went to Andrew Walker; the Charles B. Pierce award for Best Film Made in Arkansas went to

The Whisperers directed by Jason Miller; Best Direction of a Made in Arkansas Film was given to Jarrod Paul Beck for Perfect Machine; and Best Youth Film was Pyro by Cole Borgstadt. Matt DeCample served as the evening’s master of ceremonies.

Bluegrass music from Runaway Planet greeted guests as they arrived at the River Market pavilions, where they could join a line for beer or crawfish or mingle with other filmmakers and movie fans. A Little Rock Film Festival backdrop was set up for photos. Later, there was dancing.

The Little Rock Film Festival, which was in its ninth year, was co-founded by Owen Brainard, Jamie Moses, Brent Renaud and Craig Renaud. Gabe Gentry was festival director. Presenting sponsor was Cache Restaurant, and the gala was sponsored by the Arkansas Times.

Ava St. Ana, star of the Arkansas-made film Tricycle, shows off her dinner.

Cole Borgstadt with his dad, Ted Borgstadt; Jonah Green, and Reed C. Carson. The Fayetteville High School students’ film Pyro won Best Youth Film.

Anne Fendley of Little Rock, Stephen Bailey and Jeff Newton, both of New York, and Caitlin McNally of New Orleans

Natalie Canerday, nominated for Best Performance in a Made in Arkansas Film award; Michael Carpenter, and Deshon James, all with the Arkansas-made film Spooning the Devil

Film festival programmers Justin Nickels and Levi Agee with festival director Gabe Gentry

Terrance “Tank” Dumas of Little Rock, who was in the Best of Arkansas-nominated film Undefeated, and his wife Wendy

Steve Hoover won the Golden Rock Award for Best Documentary for the film Crocodile Gennadiy.

Festival programmer Faith Chonko with Andrew Walker, who won Best Performance in a Made in Arkansas Film award for The Grace of Jake