Best of the Midwest Awards 2024:
A Night of Celebration and Connection
Our 20th season fundraiser kicked off at The Best of the Midwest Awards, held on November 14, 2024 at CineCity Chicago, was a spectacular celebration of Midwestern filmmaking talent. The evening began with an exclusive VIP reception featuring premium cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and live music by saxophonist Ryan Wayne Tedder. A captivating art installation by Chicago artist Obi "Obisoulstar" Uwakwe added to the ambiance. As general admission opened, attendees enjoyed networking, an open bar, and music by DJ Selah Say.
The awards ceremony, hosted by Erica Duffy and NK Gutiérrez, showcased nominated films and honored winners with heartfelt speeches. The night concluded with a lively after-party featuring violinist Fred Leducmoreau. We extend our gratitude to CineCity Studios for the open bar and to our VIP ticket holders for their support. The Best of the Midwest Awards proved once again to be a true celebration of talent, connection, and the brilliant films crafted in our region.
As we approach our 20th season in 2025, we've set a fundraising goal of $20,000 to support our mission and programming for this milestone year.
The Midwest Film Festival extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended our recent Best of the Midwest Awards show! It was an unforgettable evening celebrating the exceptional talent and achievements of Midwest filmmakers. We're thrilled to share that with your generous support, we raised $14,545 towards our $20,000 goal for our upcoming 20th season in 2025!
As we reflect on this successful event, we'd like to highlight some of our key accomplishments from the past year:
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Showcased 46 exceptional films from Midwest filmmakers, bringing diverse regional stories to the spotlight
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United 1,600 film enthusiasts at monthly events, fostering a thriving Midwest film community
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Hosted 7 community spotlight segments, amplifying the voices of local film industry change makers
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Empowered 80 aspiring filmmakers through 3 hands-on industry workshops
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Launched our first 'Roadshow' event in Milwaukee, fostering inter-city collaboration
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Ensured accessibility with open captions and ASL Interpreters at numerous screening events
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Forged partnerships with 11 community organizations, reinforcing our Midwest film network
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Cultivated a dedicated membership base of 50 individuals, nurturing a close-knit film community
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Expanded and diversified our board of directors, enhancing our governance and contributions
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Hosted an internship program with Free Spirit Media, providing hands-on experience to three interns
We're incredibly proud of these achievements and the impact we've made in nurturing Midwest film talent and enriching Chicago's cultural landscape. None of this would have been possible without your continued support and enthusiasm for our mission.
As we approach our milestone 20th season, we invite you to help us reach our fundraising goal. Your contributions will directly support our mission and enable us to continue providing valuable programming, fostering new talent, and celebrating the diverse voices of Midwest cinema.
Our fundraiser remains open through Giving Tuesday. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference in our ability to serve and grow our vibrant film community.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey. Together, we're shaping the future of Midwest cinema!
The Best of The Midwest Awards Nominees & Winners
*Winners noted in bold, italicized yellow*
Grand Prize
McKenzie Chinn for "A Real One"
George Ellzey Jr. for "Cottage Grove"
Tetsuya Mariko for "BEFORE ANYONE ELSE"
Andrew Paul Davis for "Commercial"
Best Director
Jake Nokovic for "Play with me"
Sean Sankalp Raju for "Nazar"
McKenzie Chinn for "A Real One"
Carmen Vincent for "Teacher of Patience"
Best Cinematography
Carlos Reyes for "Nazar"
Jon Patterson for "SISTERS"
Qu Worthy for "Abefele"
Sarah Whelden for "Screams From The Tower"
Best Editing
Terry Blade for "Won't Be Around"
Sean Robert Kelly for "I Know There's Something Here for You"
Ariana De Simone for "I Said, No"
Tone Poem for "Abefele"
Best Writing
Cory Wexler Grant for "SCREAMS FROM THE TOWER"
Justin Nico Flocco & Kyle Leland Cullerton for "Bystander"
Jewells Santos & Delia Van Praag for "Fatfish"
McKenzie Chinn for "A Real One"
Best Actress
Katelyn Douglass for "Cecily With Apple"
Isabella Alonso for "Mile Marker 116"
Chloe Skoczen for "BEFORE ANYONE ELSE"
Tiffany Bedwell for "Fitting Descriptions"
Best Actor
Joey Long for "No Words"
Patrick Agada for "Cottage Grove"
Trevor Morgan for "Single Car Crashes"
Wesley Toledo for "Play With Me"
Best Casting
Jessica Marks for "Bystander"
Katelyn Douglass for "Cecily With Apple"
Jennifer Rudnicke CSA, Mickie Paskal CSA, AJ Links CSA, Kaitlin Shaw CSA for "A Real One"
Rachel Reiss & Rebecca LaGore at Liz Lewis Casting for "SCREAMS FROM THE TOWER"
Best Original Music
Bobby Cole for "Won't Be Around"
Andrew Paul Davis for "Commercial"
Paul Moody for "New Friends, Old Drugs"
Cap Sharon for "LINT"
Best Sound Design
Marc Marashi & Raleigh Smith for "The Lonely Portrait"
Jorge Arana for "Spaceman' VW - ID4"
Gabe Leistekow for "LINT"
Zach Scheitlin for "A Real One"
Best Production Design
Jorge Arana for "Spaceman' VW - ID4"
Liza Vath & Gabe Leistekow for "LINT"
Someoddpilot for "Darn It"
Maegan Batson for "Deep Eddy Vodka"
Best Wardrobe
Katelyn Douglass for "Cecily With Apple"
CottonBro for "Won't Be Around"
Andrew Paul Davis for "Commercial"
Tiffany Bedwell, Jennifer Jelsema, & Beth Laske-Miller for "Fitting Descriptions"
Thank You To Our Event Sponsors
Additional support from
