Awards for 2012
Jury Award
Best Documentary
WINNER
A Lot Like You: Eliaichi Kimaro
A LOT LIKE YOU takes us on a personal journey into the most vulnerable corners of a family history spanning generations and continents. This layered documentary starts with a familiar exploration of mixed-race identity as the narrator searches for her roots, but brings the discussion to surprising levels of personal and political self-awareness. Fresh and inspired, tender and uncommonly smart, A LOT LIKE YOU triumphs as an exemplary work of first-person documentary for the 21st century.
IN-COMPETITION
Best Narrative
WINNER
In the Family: Patrick Wang
This year's winning narrative film, is like a perfect recipe: something complex and layered that, when consumed whole, transcends its individual parts. A slice of life, but one that's cut to reveal the jagged edges of reality and all its imperfections: how families ravel and unravel over time, how love is first discovered and then must endure hardship and loss. This director found those sweet spots and then had the nerve to dwell on them: in the dialogue, in the framing of shots, in the lingering of moments over time. The wisdom to stay with a feeling, to give the audience the time to insert themselves into the scene and imagine how the character feels - the director has shown great restraint and resolve all at once. This film is not just a family film, nor a gay film, nor a southern film, but a human film that challenges and comforts all of us in some way. The jury recognizes Patrick Wang's unbelievable first effort as a writer, director, actor, producer, and awards him the 2012 SFIAAFF Comcast Narrative Jury Prize for In the Family.
IN-COMPETITION
Audience Award
Best Documentary
WINNER
Best Narrative
WINNER
Loni Ding Award in Social Issue Documentary
WINNER
Emerging Filmmaker Award
WINNER
In the Family: Patrick Wang
Patrick Wang's IN THE FAMILY is a sensitive and layered approach to several topical and controversial issues, but presented without sensationalism or exploitation. Writer-director-producer and star Patrick Wang paints an emotionally complex humane portrayal of modern-day America, infused with southern charm. IN THE FAMILY is a testament to American independent filmmaking's ingenuity, passion and resourcefulness.
Ready, Set, Pitch! Award
WINNER
IN-COMPETITION