The festival comprised competitive sections for American and international narrative films, both feature-length and short, and a curated block of out-of-competition selections. Audience favorites in feature and short categories, as voted on by the attending audiences, received prizes separate from jury prizes.
Festival Director Matt Croyle said he was thrilled with the turnout. “I’m happy to see such an interest in our area for something of this nature. We’re the first international film festival in the Oil Region, and I think that’s something special,” Croyle said. “The quality of films we received, films from 12 different countries on five continents, was outstanding. We’re looking forward to next year, as we’re already receiving submissions,” he said.
The following juried winners were announced at the end of the three-day festival:
– Outstanding Screenwriting – Screenwriting Competition – Feature: “Arvin Lindemeyer Takes Canarsie” by D. Ferrara; Short: “Deadhorse Lick” by Charles Hall.
– Best Picture – Feature: “Figurine” directed by Hans Olson; Short: “Mayfield” directed by Zach Daulton.
– Best Director – Feature: Hans Olson, “Figurine”; Short: Nadia Shmeleva, “Lighthouse Keeper.”
-Best Actor – Feature: Kelly Goetz in “Figureine”; Short: John Adrian Riley in “Mayfield.”
– Best Supporting Actor – Feature: Hilary Connell in “Exit Thread”; Short: Jack Haley in “A Box Came To Brooklyn.”
– Outstanding Cinematography – Feature: Mike McLaughlin in “Figurine”; Short: Anthony Watkins in “Thornbird.”
– Best Editing – Feature: “Escapes,” Manuel Aranda, Jose Arriaga, Juan Fernandez and Nerea Muguerza; Short: “Vessel,” B.A. Lewandowski.
– Audience Choice Award for Best Picture – Feature: “A Better Place” directed by Vincent Pereira; Short: “Mayfield” directed by Zach Daulton.
The 2017 Oil Valley Film Festival will run Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Croyle said.
