Sedona AZ (March 1, 2020) – The Keeper, a British-German biographical drama that tells the extraordinary love story between a young English woman and Bert Trautmann, German footballer and prisoner of war, who together overcome prejudice, public hostility and personal tragedy during World War II, was voted Audience Choice “Best of Fest” at the 26th annual Sedona International Film Festival.
The 2020 Sedona International Film Festival featured 177 films over nine days from Feb. 22 through March 1.
Among other Audience Choice award winners were Babysplitters, Best Feature Comedy; The Silent Revolution, Best International Film; Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound, Best Documentary; and Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses, Best Short Documentary.
People’s Choice Awards were presented to Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man and The Lessons Shorts Program.
Actor/director Rob Reiner received the Sedona International Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award.
In the Special Category Director’s Choice Awards, Sanctuary was named Best Environmental Film; The Great 14th: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama in His Own Words was named Best Humanitarian Film, Documentary; and She’s in Portland earned the award for Excellence in Screenwriting. The Marion Herrman Excellence in Filmmaking Award went to New York Rhapsody.
The 27th Sedona International Film Festival is scheduled from Feb. 20-28.
For more information about the Sedona International Film Festival, visit www.SedonaFilmFest.org.
26TH ANNUAL SEDONA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
Directors Choice Awards
- Best Feature Drama: Foster Boy
- Best Feature Comedy: How About Adolf?
- Best International Film: Balloon
- Best Documentary: For Sama
- Best International Documentary: Grit
- Best Short Documentary: The Last Harvest
- Best Short Drama: TIE: Acuitzeramo and Extra Innings
- Best Short Comedy: Demand Curve
- Best Student Short: All Boys Die
- Best Animation: Preheated
Special Category Directors’ Choice:
- Best Environmental Film: Sanctuary
- Best Indie Spirit (Documentary): A Home Called Nebraska
- Best Indie Spirit (Narrative Feature): Into Invisible Light
- Best Indie Spirit (Short): Baby Kate
- Best Humanitarian Film (Documentary): The Great 14th: Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama in His Own Words
- Best Humanitarian Film (Narrative Feature): The Wall Between Us
- Best Humanitarian Film (Short): The Prisoner’s Song
- Best Family Film: Team Marco
- Most Innovative Film: TIE: Osuba and Ring
- Best Alumni Film: The Lessons Shorts Program
- Excellence in Screenwriting: She’s In Portland
- Marion Herrman Excellence in Filmmaking Award: New York Rhapsody
Audience Choice Awards
- Best Feature Drama: The Keeper
- Best Feature Comedy: Babysplitters
- Best International Film: The Silent Revolution
- Best Documentary: Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound
- Best Environmental Films: TIE: Sea of Shadows and The Pollinators
- Best Short Documentary: Liberation Heroes: The Last Eyewitnesses
- Best Short Drama: TIE: Portraitist and Today You, Tomorrow Me
- Best Short Comedy: Ms. Rossi
- Best Student Short: Tree #3
- Best Animation: Preheated
People’s Choice Awards
- People’s Choice Award: Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man
- People’s Choice Award: The Lessons Shorts Program
- BEST OF FEST: The Keeper
Special Awards
- Lifetime Achievement: Rob Reiner
- Lifetime Achievement: Marc Shaiman
- Heart of the Festival: Connie Levinson
