Contributing InstitutionScottsdale International Film FestivalAbout
Words starting with the letter “u,” like unprecedented and uncertain were used and probably overused in 2020. We believe that our 20th anniversary season was an entirely different words starting with “u.” Indeed, we contend that our 20th season was nothing short of unique and unusual! While it’s true that hundreds of festivals held online streaming events during the pandemic, this was our first ever streaming Festival –and the rousing response from our patrons made it an unqualified success.
We featured 20 films from around the globe which played 24-hours per day over five days. The virtual attendees built their own viewing schedules and streamed 20 films from the safe and comfortable confines of their own homes. Amongst all of the highly-curated offering were the Phoenix Film Critics Society’s Jury Award selections for: Best Film– BOY MEETS GUN, Best Director – Joost van Hezik / BOY MEETS GUN, Best Screenplay – TIE between BOY MEETS GUN and WHEN HITLER STOLE PINK RABBIT, Best Actor in a Leading Role –Heikki Nousiainen / ONE LAST DEAL, Best Actress in a Leading Role – Emma Suárez / WINDOW TO THE SEA, Best Supporting Actor in a Leading Role –Akilas Karazisis / WINDOW TO THE SEA, Best Supporting Actress in a Leading Role – Elisa Thiemann/EFFIGY / POISON AND THE CITY and Best Documentary Film – ASSASSINS. The Audience Award for Best Film went to WINDOW TO THE SEA and the Audience Award for Best Documentary went to ASSASSINS.
