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Award-Winners Announced at 2013 Napa Valley Film Fest
Director James Duff wins grand award for Best Narrative Feature for "Hank and Asha."
Last week's Napa Valley Film Festival wrapped up Sunday night with a ceremony at Uptown Theatre Napa.
Although final attendance figures won't be released until later this week, all indications were that this year's festival -- the third annual -- was a "true success," due to sold-out shows, great weather, celebrity tributes, great food and wine and inspired films.
"It was brilliant," said Jury President Joe Carnahan, an American screenwriter and director, in announcing the award-winners in various categories.
"There were really great films, fantastic venues and parties, and I probably consumed about 60 gallons of white and red wine, which I plan to work off at the gym,” said Carnahan. “There were very strong films in the competition and exciting new voices among the filmmakers.
"The jurors did a great job and reached consensus after much deliberation for the various awards given," he added. "It's such a well-run, magnificently laid out festival. I had a blast and plan to come back next year, inviting many more of my industry friends to enjoy the fantastic Napa Valley.
"This festival is not to be missed,” he said.
The grand film prize – Best Narrative Feature – went to Hank and Asha, directed by James E. Duff.
Duff, who was present for Sunday night's awards ceremony, was presented with a double magnum of a wine from Behrens Family Winery called Labor of Love.
Duff also received a check for $10,000, courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley.
Co-founders Brenda and Marc Lhormer received host awards at Sunday night's ceremony.
The full slate of winners are:
Jury Awards for Narrative Features:
Best Screenplay (Wine presented by: Roy Eisiminger of Handwritten Wines – 3L)
The Girl on the Train, Directed by: Larry Brand
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Best Ensemble Cast (Wine presented by: Truchard Vineyards – 3L, and Garret Murphy of Vintner’s Collective – 3L)
The Bounceback, Starring: Zach Cregger, Sara Paxton, Ashley Bell and Michael Stahl-David, and Directed by Bryan Poyser
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Best Narrative Feature (Wine presented by: Les Behrens of Behrens Family Winery – 3L)
Hank and Asha, Directed by: James E. Duff
Special Jury Award for Best Cinematography
My Brother Jack, Cinematography by: Kerim Duran and Directed by: Stephen Dest
Jury Awards for Documentary Films:
Best Short Documentary (Wine presented by: Katie Leonardini of Whitehall Lane Winery – 3L)
Sky Burial, Directed by: Tad Fettig
Best Feature Documentary (Wine presented by: Doug Hill of Hill Family Estate – 3L)
Alice Walker: Beauty In Truth, Directed by: Pratibha Parmar
Special Recognition Prize for the Most Thought-Provoking Film (Wine presented by: Revolver Wine Company – 3L)
The Last White Night, Directed by: Paul Saltzman
Jury Awards for Animated Shorts:
Best Animated Short (Wine presented by: Derek Bromley of Hess Collection – 3L)
Sleight of Hand, Directed by: Michael Cusack
Honorable Mention (Wine presented by: Derek Bromley of Hess Collection – Magnum)
The Right Place, Directed by: Jamie Gallant
Honorable Mention (Wine presented by: Derek Bromley of Hess Collection – Magnum)
Horsepower, Directed by: Olivia Lai Shetler
Jury Awards for Narrative Short Films:
Best Narrative Short (Wine presented by: Judd Wallenbrock of Jessup Cellars – 3L)
King of Norway, Directed by: Sylvia Sether
Honorable Mention (Wine presented by: Judd Wallenbrock of Jessup Cellars – Magnum)
The Romantics, Directed by: Ryan Daniel Dobson
Honorable Mention (Wine presented by: Judd Wallenbrock of Jessup Cellars Winery – Magnum)
The Listing Agent, Directed by Matthew Helfgott and Jared Hillman
Jury Awards for SONY 4K Film Challenge:
SONY 4K Film Challenge (Wine presented by: Michelle Baggett of Alpha Omega – Magnum)
Weapons, Directed by: Ryan Daniel Dobs
Audience Awards:
Favorite Narrative Feature (Wine presented by: Sean Sullivan of Sullivan Vineyards – 3L)
The Little Tin Man, Directed by: Matthew Perkins
Favorite Documentary Feature (Wine presented by: Favia Erickson Wines – 3L)
Finding Hillywood, Directed by: Leah Warshawski
Favorite Documentary Short (Wine presented by: Violet Grgich of Grgich Hills Estate – 3L)
Make Haste Slowly: The Kikkoman Creed, Directed by: Lucy Walker
Favorite Lounge Feature (Wine presented by: Mary Beth Salmieri of Jamieson Ranch – 3L)
Starring Adam West, Directed by: James Tooley
Favorite Lounge Short (Wine presented by: Jeff Hill of Hill Wine Company – 3L)
The Romantics, Directed by: Ryan Daniel Dobson
Favorite Animated Short (Wine presented by: Jon Emmerich & Tamara Miller of Silverado Vineyards – 3L)
Horsepower, Directed by: Olivia Lai Shetler
Favorite Actor (Wine presented by: Susan Holmer of Terlato Family Vineyards – 3L)
Andrew Pastides (who played Hank in Hank and Asha
Favorite Actress (Wine presented by: Rosemary Hermans Walls of Swanson Vineyards – 3L)
Mahira Kakkar (who played Asha in Hank and Asha)
Favorite Narrative Short (Wine presented by: Susan Parry of Parry Cellars – 3L)
The Listing Agent, Directed by Matthew Helfgott and Jared Hillman
Food Spotting Awards:
Best Menu Item (Wine presented by: Garnet – Magnum)
Alexis Handelman of ABC Bakery
Crowd Favorite (Wine presented by: Kandice Jessup of J. Gregory Wines – Magnum)
Annie the Baker
Master Foodspotter (Wine presented by: Fortunati Vineyards – Magnum)
Colleen Harmon
Host (Wine presented by: Bryan Page of Revolver Wine Company – Magnum)
Christopher Kostow
Host Awards:
Jury President (Wine presented by: Michael Polenske of Bespoke Collection – 3L)
Joe Carnahan
MC (Wine presented by: Rob Jennings of Paratus – Magnum)
Raj Mathai
Festival Founders (Wine presented by Sean Sullivan of Sullivan Vineyards – 3L)
Brenda & Marc Lhormer, co-founders and directors of the festival.
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