2020 presented some unique challenges, with COVID-19 preventing any sort of in-person gatherings. But with enormous support from our staff, volunteers and fans we were able to stream these amazing films online. And one great side effect of the new format was being able to include filmmakers around the world in our Q & A sessions!
“Was a pleasure to show our film “Finch” at the Okotoks Film Festival. Their board, directors and team were a pleasure to work with throughout the entire process. Great film selections and such a kind team. Keep up the good work!”
– Andrew, Vek Labs – Finch
Audience Testimonial: “These movie selections you have chosen are phenomenal. Thank you so much for pointing out that this exists and all the hard work you did putting this together. Puts my normal Netflix watching to shame!!
– Michelle Kunz
Award Winners
Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver
Audience Choice
Director: Dennis Gansel
W
Best Picture
Director: Stelios Koupetoris
Jury: Scott Lepp, Lorna James, Scott Westby
Ca Dentro - Inside
Best Cinematography
Director: Tiago Pimentel
Jury: Douglas Munro CSC, Wes Doyle, Chase Gardiner
The Scorpion's Tale
Best Screenplay
Director: Jhosimar Vasquez
Jury: Mark Haroun, Kevin Doree, Christina Beamish
My Daughter Yoshiko
Best Overall Sound
Director: Brian Blum
Jury: Alex Mitchell, David Heacock, Justan Ross
W
Best Art Direction
Director: Stelios Koupetoris
Jury: Kj Gallagher, Dale Marushy, Ryan Pfannmuller
Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver
Visual Effects
Director: Dennis Gansel
Jury: Ken Bitz, Brendan James Boyd, Leo Wieser
Rustic Oracle
Best Performance
Director: Sonia Bonspille Boileau
Jury: Joe Norman-Shaw, Ryan Kennedy, Sandi Somers
48-Hour Challenge Winners
Yellow Crane
Audience Choice
Team: Pineapple Tuesday
Yellow Crane
Best Picture
Team: Pineapple Tuesday
Don't Do Anything Stupid
Best Use of Line
Team: Cinema Buns
Know When to Fold Them
Best Use of Prop
Team: Isometric Films
One New Friend
Best Use of Genre
Team: Finale Films
Jacques in the Box
Best Social Distancing
Team: Classy But Sinister
2020 Feature Films
Living the Warrior Code
Canada
Director: Drew Kenworthy
Rustic Oracle
Canada
Director: Sonia Bonspille Boileau
Nomination: Best Picture, Performance
Ups and Downs
United Kingdom
Director: Eoin Cleland
Nomination: Screenplay, Performance
REEL ME – THE FILM MUSICAL
Germany
Director: Peter Lund
Nomination: Cinematography, Art Direction
JIM BUTTON AND LUKE THE ENGINE DRIVER
Germany
Director: Dennis Gansel
Nomination: Visual Effects
General Reels
The world cup in a square
Italy
Director: Vito Palmieri
Nomination: Editing
JEMAND UND NIEMAND - SOMEBODY AND NOBODY
Germany
Director: Joscha Douma
Nomination: Art Direction
Fairy Tail
United States
Director: Justin & Kristin Schaack
My Daughter Yoshiko
United States
Director: Brian Blum
Nomination: Performance, Overall Sound
Nut Milking Exposed
Canada
Director: Nick Saik
The Quiet
Australia
Director: Radheya Jegatheva
Nomination: Animation
Wild Hearts
Canada
Director: Inder Nirwan
Penny
Canada
Director: Robert Misovic
W
Greece
Director: Stelios Koupetoris
Nomination: Best Picture, Cinematography, Art Direction
CA DENTRO - INSIDE
Portugal
Director: Tiago Pimentel
Nomination: Cinematography
Sarino
Italy
Director: Valerio Filardo
Old man
Spain
Director: Trueba & Trueba
HANDARBEIT - COVER UP
Germany
Director: Marie-Amélie Steul
Nomination: Screenplay
Finch
Canada
Director: James McLane
THE SCORPION’S TALE
United States
Director: Jhosimar Vasquez
Nomination: Best Picture, Screenplay, Editing
Shuttlecock
Canada
Director: Melanie Jones
Battiti (Heartbeats)
Italy
Director: Michele Bizzi
REFUGE IN THE ROCKIES
Canada
Director: Kaio Kathriner
Nomination: Editing
MARISOL
United States
Director: Zoe Salicrup
LOLO
Germany
Director: Leandro Goddinho, Paulo Menezes
R31
Spain
Director: Alex Cuellar, Rafa G. Sánchez
Nomination: Overall Sound
A Wink Or A Smile
Canada
Director: C. Blake Evernden
Bube maises
Israel
Director: Or Levy
The Narrator
Canada
Director: Darren Harmon
TwistedReels
O.I.
Canada
Director: N’cee van Heerden
Nomination: Visual Effects
Horrorscope
Spain
Director: Pol Diggler
Nomination: Overall Sound
ALTITUDE
Austria
Director: Nicole Scherer
Escalation
Spain
Director: Nacho Solana
NIMMERLANDVERRÄTER - A CLOWN'S TALE
Germany
Director: Alexander Frank
NOM
Spain
Director: Angel Hernández Suarez
Franka
Croatia
Director: Hrvoje Wächter
THE COCAINE FAMINE
Ireland
Director: Sam McMullen
KinderReels
Balance
Singapore
Director: Raymond Limantara Sutisna
Bolero Station
Switzerland
Director: Rolf Brönnimann
Nomination: Animation
The Garbage Boi
Canada
Director: Simon Chan
Nomination: Visual Effects
Yikásdáhí - Awaits the Dawn
Argentina
Director: Gabriela Clar
Nomination: Animation
Used Rubber
Canada
Director: David Prokopchuk
TONGUE TIED
Canada
Director: Alexandra Melnyk
Om Nom Nom
Japan
Director: Minato Matsuda, Haruna Ueno, Tomoko Taiga
The Smuggler's Door
Canada
Director: Haleigh Toney
Stood Up
Canada
Director: Cjay Boisclair
The Lonely Entertainer
Canada
Director: Shawna Koski
Flip
Canada
Director: Chase Ashbaugh