The fourth annual Knoxville Film Festival took place August 26-28, 2016 at Downtown West Regal Cinema 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Knoxville Film Festival is presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union and is produced in partnership by Secret City Films, Dogwood Arts, the Visit Knoxville Film Office and Regal Entertainment Group.

“From the first frame of Chad Cunningham’s “Opposite of Earnest” to the final selfie being made in the tent, the weekend was chock-full of energy, enthusiasm, camaraderie and, most importantly, terrific films of all genres.  Dogwood Arts is proud and pleased to be a partner in this endeavor,” says Dogwood Arts Executive Director Tom Cervone.
The 2016 Awards were announced during a ceremony at the Knoxville Film Festival on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Regal Downtown West Cinema 8 at 6:30pm.

Over 80 films were screened at the 2016 Knoxville Film Festival. These films included 26 narrative shorts, 4 narrative features, 4 documentary features, 7 documentary short films, 4 web series pilots and short films from 2 filmmaking competitions. These films came from 13 states and 3 countries.

“The 2016 Knoxville Film Festival was, in my opinion, the most successful, energetic and fun film festival to date. Our audiences were interested and engaged and our filmmakers had an opportunity to share their tremendous talents with our community. I am proud that the KFF has become the “face” of the independent film community in East Tennessee,” says Knoxville Film Festival Executive Director Keith McDaniel.

 

And now…the awards go to…

Narrative Feature

1st Place: JUNE FALLING DOWN by Rebecca Weaver

2nd Place: JASMINE by Dax Phelan

3rd Place: RIDGE RUNNERS by Hunter West
Audience Favorite: RIDGE RUNNERS by Hunter West

Narrative Short

1st Place: WORTH THE WAIT by John Sinclair & Joel P. Perry

2nd Place: THE MOTHER by Paolo Monico

3rd Place: HERE LIES JOE by Mark Battle
Audience Favorite: WINTER’S JOURNEY by Susanne Boeing
Documentary Feature

1st Place: 91% by John Richie

2nd Place: PECH RIVER BOYS: TALES FROM AFGHANISTAN by Shannon & Jenny Fontenot

3rd Place: EARL HAMNER STORYTELLER by Ray Castro
Audience Favorite: 91% by John Richie
Documentary Short

1st Place: THE KNOXVILLE ICE BEARS: UNRIVALED by Nicky Alfieri

2nd Place: BOTTOMLESS by Veronique Vanblaere

3rd Place: LIFT LIKE A GIRL by Allie Sultan
Audience Favorite: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight

Web Series Pilot

1st Place: BOUNTY MOMMA by Wendy Keeling

2nd Place: SLICE by Marzy Hart

3rd Place: STATE OF FRANKLIN by Mitch Moore
Audience Favorite: STATE OF FRANKLIN by Mitch Moore

Tennessee Film Narrative

1st Place: HELEN AND THE GREATEST OF ALL by Matthew Fisher

2nd Place: THE SAURUS by Drew Maynard

3rd Place: MARY & MONTGOMERY by Emily Mastrapa
Audience Favorite: HELEN AND THE GREATEST OF ALL by Matthew Fisher

Tennessee Film Documentary

1st Place: THE KNOXVILLE ICE BEARS: UNRIVALED by Nicky Alfieri

2nd Place: LIFT LIKE A GIRL by Allie Sultan

3rd Place: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight
Audience Favorite: VISIONARY by Caroline Knight

7-Day Shootout Film Competition

Best Film [$5,000 Cash Prize]: AFTER LIFE CRISIS | Skitchbook with Flashpoint Creative, Team Leader: Matt Brewster

Best Poster: REAR VIEW | Twin Pines Pictures, Team Leader: Jeremy Lowery
Best Use of Music: ROBERT & NANCY | The vandygirls, Team Leader: Maranda & Elisa Vandergriff
Best Use of Elements: NEANDERBOB | Comedy Sutra, Team Leaders: Robert Ivkovic & Andrew McGary
Best Editing: AURA | Post Retro Productions, Team Leader: Jacob Boyd
Best Cinematography: HOME | WilBur, Team Leader: Kelly Burke & Curt Willis
Best Writing: AFTER LIFE CRISIS | Skitchbook with Flashpoint Creative, Team Leader: Matt Brewster
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Rachel Stacy | AURA | Post Retro Productions, Team Leader: Jacob Boyd
Best Actor in a Supporting Role:
Forrest Ferguson | THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
Best Actress in a Leading Role:
Susannah Devereux| ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye
Best Actor in a Leading Role:
Mitch Moore | ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye
Audience Favorite:
THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
Best Director:
Niles Maddox | THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
2nd Place, :
THE RECLUSE | D.A.M.N. Media, Team Leader: Madeline McAdams
3rd Place:
ADVICE & CONSENT | IGBA Productions, Team Leader: Kristen Dye

ORNL Federal Credit Union Emerging Filmmaker Award [$1,000]: Nicholas Crockett | Terra Red

 

 

Student Filmmaking Competition

1st Place – Middle School
CRAIG POWERS  – Rose Farahi / Jefferson Middle School

 

3rd Place – High School

FIST BUMPS VS. HIGH FIVES – Parker Korpak, Matthew Phillips, Foster Pearson  / Farragut High School

 

2nd Place – High School

THE YELLOW WALLAPER – Jessica Borchert / Community Christian Academy

 

1st Place – High School

REC – Noah Mezzacappa, Lucas Baudry / Bearden High School