best of the midwest awards throughout the years
2015
Best Music Video
LOW KEY, directed by Nick Offerman for Tweedy
Best Short Film
BABY MARY, directed by Kris Swanberg
Best Editing
Aaron Wickenden, ALMOST THERE
Best Cinematography
Mike Bove, UNCLE JOHN
Best Artistic Specialization
Merje Veski, Art Direction, DIG TWO GRAVES
Best Screenplay
Jim Thompson and Martin Rodahl, HAPPY HOUR
Best Female Actor
Carisa Barreca, DOOMSDATE
Best Male Actor
Charles Whitcomb, FULL FRAME
Best Director
Sonny Mallhi, ANGUISH
Best Feature
UNCLE JOHN, directed by Steven Piet
2013
Best Music Video
“Dream Bigger Dreams” directed by Sandro
Best Short Film
“Paraiso,” directed by Nadav Kurtz
Best Editing
Bill Sebastian and Clinton Noel Williams, “QWERTY”
Best Cinematography
Ross Riege, “The Kings of Summer”
Best Screenplay
Todd Looby, “Be Good”
Best Female Actor
Aemilia Scott, ‘Best if Used By’
Best Male Actor
Thomas J. Madden, “Be Good”
Best Director
Jordan Vogt-Roberts, “The Kings of Summer”
Best Feature
“Sole Survivor,” directed by Ky Dickens
2012
Best Music Video
“Moonbeams” directed by Sam Macon
Best Short Film
The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant,” directed by Julia Reichert and Stephan Bognar
Best Editing
Jill DiBiase, “Close Quarters”
Best Actress
Susan Messing, “Close Quarters”
Best Cinematography
Carlo Besasie, “The Wheel”
Best Actor
T.J. Jagadowski, “Close Quarters”
Best Screenplay
Brian Jun, “Joint Body”
Best Director
Josh Radnor, “Liberal Arts”
Best Feature
“Liberal Arts,” directed by Josh Radnor
2011
Best Music Video
Call the Press and Send Their Best,
directed by Matthew Achterberg and
Michael Starcevich
Best Short Film
Call the Press and Send Their Best,
directed by Matthew Achterberg and
Michael Starcevich
Best Editing
Randy Palmer and Brooks Ruyle,
Ballhawks
Best Actress
Meredith Droeger, The Last Rites of Joe
May
Best Cinematography
Joel Edwards, Mumbai Golf
Best Screenplay
Dean Peterson, Incredibly Small
Best Actor
Dean Peterson, Incredibly Small
Best Director
Mike Diedrich, Ballhawks
Best Feature
The Last Rites of Joe May, directed by
Joe Maggio
2010
Best Music Video – TWO WINNERS!
Bring Yourself, directed by Dan Bigelow for Oh My
God
Take Everything, directed by Otto Arsenault for Greg
Laswell
Best Short Film
Successful Alcoholics, directed by Jordan Vogt-
Roberts
Best Editing
Andy Awes, Lotology
Best Female Actor
Olivia Walby, Annabelle & Bear
Best Cinematography
Kevin Moss, Chicago Overcoat
Best Screenplay
Ron Lazzeretti, Something Better Somewhere
Else
Best Male Actor
David Pasquesi, Something Better Somewhere
Else
Best Director
Steve James, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen
Iverson
Best Feature
Feed the Fish, directed by Michael Matzdorff
2009
Best Music Video
Mustache Ride, directed by Michael Starcevich for Men of Movember
Best Short Film
Mustache Ride, directed by Michael Starcevich for Men of Movember
Best Editing
Sharon Zurek, Hannah Free
Best Actress
Jennifer Lawrence, The Poker House
Best Cinematography
Pete Biagi, Sugar
Best Actor
Tom Bastounes, The Merry Gentleman
Best Screenplay
Ron Lazzeretti, The Merry Gentleman
Best Director
Lori Petty, The Poker House
Best Feature
The Merry Gentleman, directed by Michael Keaton
2008
Best Music Video
Game of Love, directed by Ruth Leitman for The Redwalls
Best Short Film
Train Town, directed by Keith Bearden
Best Documentary
America the Beautiful, directed by Darryl Roberts
Best Editing
Leslie Simmer, In the Family
Best Actor
Leslie Simmer, In the Family
Best Actress
Virginia Madsen, Diminished Capacity
Best Cinematography
John Luker, Grant Weiss and Joey Domaracki, Trilogy
Best Director
Steve Conrad, The Promotion
Best Feature
The Promotion, directed by Steve Conrad
2007
Best Music Video
Get Steady, featuring Oh My God
Best Documentary
Indestructible by Ben Byer
Best Comedy
I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With
Best Actor
JoNell Kennedy, Kubuku Rides: This Is It –
Best Editing
Casey Suchan and Denis Henry Hennelly, Rock the Bells
Best Cinematography
Pete Biagi, The 5:22
Best Drama
Steel City
Best Director
Malik Bader, Street Thief
2006
Best Music Video
Black Hole, Directed by Michael Kwielford
Best Sound Design
Adam Frick, Dirty Work
Best Actor or Actress in a supporting role
Michael T. Weiss, Iowa
Best Student Film
Capsella, Directed by University of Illinois Graduate Chris Folkens
Best Documentary
Wordplay By Tyler
Best Comedy
The Man Who Invented the Moon, Directed by John Cabrera
Best Actor
Austin Pendleton, Dirty Work
Best Actress
Diane Foster, Iowa
Best Editing
Diane Foster, Iowa
Best Production Design
Chris Wright, Iowa
Best Cinematography
Pete Biagi, Por Amor
Best Drama
Dirty Work, Directed by Bruce Terris
Best Director
Bruce Terris, Dirty Work
Best Picture
Iowa, Directed by Matt Farnsworth
2005
Best music video:
Always, Directed by Caton Volk
Best Sound Design
Michael Toth, Cast In Gray
Best Student Film
Mindy, Directed by Ai Lene Chor of Columbia College
Best Actor
Timothy Burke, Cast In Gray
Best Actress
Melissa Sienicki, Apology
Best Comedy
Godfather of Green Bay, Directed by Pete Schwaba
Best Editing
Steve Ordower, A Series of Small Things
Best Art Direction
Larry Lundy, Following Paula
Best Cinematography
David Blood, Lifelike
Best Drama
Sugar Mountain, Direcetd by Aaron Himelstein
Best Director
Tim Hoover, The Divine
Best Picture
Sugar Mountain, Directed by Aaron Himelstein