‘Nomadland’ wins top honor at film fest
WOODSTOCK, N.Y. » The film “Nomadland” directed by Chloé Zhao was named Best Narrative Feature as part of the annual Maverick Awards during the 21st Woodstock Film Festival.
In a statement, jurors William Fichtner, Celine Rattray and Sabine Hoffman described the film as “An unobtrusive vision; one rich in humanity and with a raw and honest depiction of a widowed woman (phenomenal: Frances McDormand), the film carries an enticing gaze into the basic questions of individual emotion and resonates deeply in our current economic landscape. Carefully aided by beautiful and subtle cinematography and score, Chloé Zhao’s filmmaking has a soft facade that is wholeheartedly powerful and provoking throughout.”
Special mention for Best Emerging Director was given to “I Carry You with Me” directed by Heidi Ewing.
The Maverick Awards winners were announced in a press release Friday.
The f estival began Wednesday, Sept. 30, and is running through Sunday, Oct. 4. Screenings and panels are being held at driveins in Woodstock, Poughkeepsie, and Greenville, as well as online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Best Documentary Feature was awarded to the film “Los Hermanos/The Brothers” directed by Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider, while “Coded Bias” directed by Shalini Kantayya received an honorable mention.
Jurors Pamela Yates, David France, and Cynthia Lopez said in a statement that “Los Hermanos/The Brothers” was “a purely celebratory film that at the same time biopsies political expedience and nationalism; a film about love - for family, for art, for country - that is deeply layered with injustice as well as resilience; here is a film about forced separation that made us want to dance.”
Best Narrative Short was awarded to “Rosa,” part of the “Unsettled” shorts program and directed by Suha Araj.
Best Short Documentary was a tie between “A Youth” directed by Giorgio Bosisio” and “Dafa Metti (Difficult)” directed by Tal Amiran. Both films were part of the “Dislocation” shorts program.
Best Student Short was awarded to “Trumpet” directed by Kevin Haefelin, while Best Documentary Student Short was awarded to “Against the Current” directed by Daunnette MonizReyome. “Mercury Afrograde,” directed by Blanche Akonchong, received an honorable mention.
The Ultra Indie Award was presented to “Rotten Ears” directed by Piotr Dylewski.
The Animation Award was presented to “Beyond Noh” directed by Patrick Smith and Kaori Ishida. An honorable mention was given to “Grand Adventure Railroad” directed by Hsiao-Shan Huang.