Outfest 2012 Award Winner 30th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

Outfest 2012, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing, showcasing and protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media, has announced the award winners of its 30th Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. 

The nation’s leading LGBT festival and the oldest continuously running film festival in the city ran from July 12^th to 22^nd.  Outfest 2012 closed with Brian Dannelly’s Struck by Lightning, starring Chris Colfer. Allison Janney, Rebel Wilson, Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney and Ashley Rickards.

Special Programming Award for Freedom

Sponsored by The Mondrian Los Angeles

I AM A WOMAN NOW, Directed by Michiel van Erp

For illuminating the stories of the first generation of transwomen who forged their paths with grace, courage, and fabulousness and the pioneering surgeon who changed history for transpeople everywhere, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Freedom goes to I AM A WOMAN NOW, directed by Michiel van Erp.

Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement                                                           

Sponsored by Fandango

SHE MALE SNAILS, Directed by Ester Martin Bergsmark

For its bold imagination, provocative storytelling, striking imagery and unshakable emotional impact, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Artistic Achievement goes to Ester Martin Bergsmark, director of SHE MALE SNAILS.

Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent

Sponsored by Katten Muchin Rosenmann LLP

Marialy Rivas, Writer/Director

For crafting a stylistically fearless film to match the excitement, danger and chaos that can erupt with youthful sexual exploration, the Outfest Special Programming Award for Emerging Talent goes to Marialy Rivas, the writer/director of YOUNG & WILD.

Audience Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film

Sponsored by Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood

A FORCE OF NATURE, Directed by Barbara Kopple

Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film

Sponsored by Wolfe Video

THE FIRST DATE, Directed by Janella Lacson

Audience Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film

Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios

I STAND CORRECTED, Directed by Andrea Meyerson

Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Feature Film

Sponsored by Innovative Artists

ANY DAY NOW, Directed by Travis Fine

Audience Award for Outstanding First U.S. Dramatic Feature Film

Sponsored by HBO (cash prize of $5,000 from HBO)

MOSQUITA Y MARI, (ISA:Film Collaborative), Directed by Aurora Guerrero

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film

Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios

THE DEVOTION PROJECT: MORE THAN EVER, Directed by Antony Osso.

For its sensitive portrayal of enduring love that spans seven decades, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film goes to THE DEVOTION PROJECT: MORE THAN EVER, directed by Antony Osso.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film

Sponsored by CRE – Computer Rentals & AV Solutions

DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY), Directed Andrew Ahn

For its honest exploration of the complexities of culture, family and relationships, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film to DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY), directed by Andrew Ahn.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film

Sponsored by Avalon

WILDNESS, Directed by Wu Tsang

With beautiful cinematography, a vibrant score and poetic storytelling, this year’s winning documentary succeeded in taking on the complexities of class, culture and difference in a most timely and brave fashion. The Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film goes to WILDNESS, directed by Wu Tsang.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film

Sponsored by The Los Angeles Athletic Club

MY BROTHER THE DEVIL, Directed by Sally El Hosaini

For its taut narrative, sensitive interrogation of masculinity, excellent performances by an ensemble cast, and intense cinematic experience, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film goes to MY BROTHER THE DEVIL, directed by Sally El Hosaini.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film

Sponsored by The Avenue Hollywood

Fenessa Pineda, MOSQUITA Y MARI

This actress brought nuance and subtlety to a fresh coming of age story. For beautifully capturing the fleeting moments of transition from innocence to curiosity to self-discovery, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film goes to Fenessa Pineda in MOSQUITA Y MARI.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film

Alan Cumming, ANY DAY NOW

For bringing depth, humor, fierce wit, and emotional integrity to a moving portrait of a man who unexpectedly finds a family and the strength to fight for it, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film goes to Alan Cumming in ANY DAY NOW.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Screenwriting

Sponsored by Yellow Cab

Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias, KEEP THE LIGHTS ON

For masterfully constructing an emotionally honest portrait of a relationship that spans the better part of a decade and artfully weaving the mundane and the momentous, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Screenwriting goes to Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias for KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film

Sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue

KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, (ISA: Films Boutique), Directed by Ira Sachs

This film resonated with us for its confidence, complexity, and emotional intelligence. For taking us on a challenging but poetic journey through the landscape of a long-term relationship, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film goes to KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, directed by Ira Sachs.

For more information, log on to http://www.outfest.org/fest2012/

To download high-res images, please visit: ftp://ftp.mprm.com/outfest2012

Outfest 2012: The 30^th Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival is presented by HBO. Grand Sponsors include Absolut and Ease Entertainment Services. Under the Stars Series Sponsor is presented by Oxygen. The Automotive Partner is MINI. Other sponsors at the Premiere level include: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Directors Guild of America, DIRECTV, The Hollywood Reporter, The Los Angeles Times, Merrill Lynch, OUT, Variety and 104.3MYfm, The Official Sponsors are Barefoot Wines, Big Picture Group, Coca-Cola, Luca Bites, Lichter Yu & Associates, NBCUniversal, Orbitz, Propaganda Media, Room & Board, Southwest Airlines, Stella Artois, techpal, and Verizon Wireless. Day Sponsors are The David Geffen Foundation, Frontiers/InLA, Hollywood & Highland, Instinct Magazine, The Lesbian News, Lifetime, LOGO, Sony Pictures, and Wells Fargo, Organizational Funders: Andrew Kuehn Foundation, City of West Hollywood, Department of Cultural Affairs, Hollywood Foreign Press, and Los Angeles County Arts. For more information about Outfest 2012 sponsorship, visit www.outfest.org/sponsor.

About Outfest

Outfest celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2012 with a yearlong celebration honoring the organization's rich film history, innovative filmmakers and cultural legacy. The anniversary celebration includes the signature film festival, a major film restoration, a new logo, a new monthly screening series and a comprehensive social media campaign. Founded by volunteers on the campus of UCLA in 1982, Outfest has grown into an internationally recognized organization that works to promote LGBT equality through the arts. For three decades Outfest has brought together film lovers, artists, celebrities and entertainment industry professionals to create a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives. Outfest has showcased over 5,600 films to audiences, reaching close to one million people, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers and protected over 18,000 stories and images through the Outfest Legacy Project for LGBT Film Preservation, the only program of its kind in the world.