The 16th SLGFF wrapped it up Sunday; here are the winners & maybe a sneak peak at next year?

Rachael, Cory, Keith, Jason and everyone else at Three Dollar Bill did an amazing job this year!

The Sweet 16 Party for the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival called it a wrap Sunday night with the Closing Gala Screening of the beautiful documentary “Vito” and the after party at the South Lake Union Discovery Center. It was a lovely ten days of films, parties and guests and…we’re all exhausted. The great crew at Three Dollar Bill Cinema put on another fabulous festival and now they can put everything away and have a rest…meanwhile, the rest of us prepare for Halloween and a long stay in a rest home.

And, they announced the winners for the competitive awards for the festival, both juried awards and audience awards. Here are the winners and congratulations to all of them:

Jury Awards

Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature awards are presented with a cash prize of $1,000.   Short Film and Most Innovative Short Film awards receive a cash prize of $300.

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE:  TOMBOY

Directed by Céline Sciamma

TOMBOY evoked a range of emotions in us from frustration to hope. Beautifully told by writer director Céline Sciamma and with a stunning performance by the lead Zoe Heran it was the clear winner.

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:  THE GROVE

Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson and Tom Shepard

We award Best Documentary to THE GROVE for its thoughtful and compelling examination of the complexity around loss and remembrance, with a surprising reach beyond the landscape of the National AIDS Memorial.

BEST SHORT FILM:   CHANGE

Directed by Melissa Osborne

We award best short to CHANGE for its compelling and authentic juxtaposition of the emotionally charged 2008 election of President Obama and the passage of California’s Proposition 8. The film’s heightened visual storytelling and seamless craftsmanship allow the exceptional young actors to soar.

SHORT FILM HONOURABLE MENTION:   I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE

Directed by Daniel Ribeiro

The jurors also award an honorable mention to I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE for its richly textured landscape of adolescence which lingers in the memory.

MOST INNOVATIVE SHORT:   HALF

Directed by Alex Bohs

We award most innovative short to HALF. Its use of split screen and its intimate style of animation lyrically highlight the connections and disconnections of two young women.

Audience Awards

Favorite Narrative Film:  DIRTY GIRL, directed by Abe Sylvia

Favorite Documentary (TIE):  WISH ME AWAY, directed by Bobbie Birleffi and Beverly Kopf AND VITO, directed by Jeffrey Schwarz

Favorite Gay Short Film:  I DON’T WANT TO GO BACK ALONE, directed by Daniel Ribeiro

Favorite Lesbian Short Film:  YOU MOVE ME, directed by Gina Hirsch

Favorite Transgender Short Film:  MIND, directed by Emma Crimmings

Audience Award — Special Recognition:  OUTLAND

In addition to rave reviews from audiences, the two-night run of the Australian TV series OUTLAND scored some of the highest votes in the festival.

Like I said earlier, Three Dollar Bill Cinema can have a bit of a rest before planning events for 2012 including their big Oscar Party, Spring Film Series, Translations Film Festival, the Summer Outdoor Film Series, and the 17th Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. Here’s trailers for three eagerly awaited LGBTQ films for next year. We’re guessing at least ONE of them will be ready and screening next year…

Bear City 2…they say Spring 2012 but the US LGBTQ film festival circuit doesn’t really kick off until June…we’ll see. And, is it just me or are they deliberately trying to ape “Sex & The City”? Hopefully they won’t go to Dubai in Bear City 3…

AND, we’re REALLY looking forward to “Vito” director Jeffrey Schwarz’s next film, the Divine documentary “I Am Divine”. Even the trailer is Divine.

AND, completely salivating over the full length “I Want Your Love” by director Travis Matthews. The ZEXY short he made last year featuring two adorable, scruffy gay hipster hotties cuddling and making the love was a huge internet and film festival hit and the director has completed his full length version…it should be hitting the festival circuit next year and it could likely get snapped up by SIFF if it’s ready in time.