The documentary Larry Flynt for President, the sci-fi mystery Ultrasound and the Holocaust drama Isaac were among the big winners as the Mammoth Lakes Film Festival wrapped it’s 7th edition after screening more than 75 feature and shorts over five days.
Anyone who has traveled to the Eastern Sierra resort town for the festival understands that while last year’s virtual-only festival was a great success, the true Mammoth Lakes experience is only possible on the ground. It includes taking in the beautiful mountain surroundings and breathtaking lakes, taking late-night hot springs dips with new friends — and of course watching the movies!
Making its West Coast premiere, Brandon Kramer’s The Last Step closed out the festival on Sunday night. The documentary follows CNN commentator Van Jones’ long journey to get bipartisan support for prison reform legislation during the Trump administration.
After the screening ended, festival patrons gathered for the awards ceremony. Ultrasound took home the Best North American Narrative Feature, Larry Flynt for President won Best North American Documentary Feature, and Isaac won Best International Narrative Feature.
Larry Flynt for President covers the outspoken pornographer’s legal troubles in his neverending fight against the U.S. government in favor of personal freedoms. It is an entirely archival documentary made up of beautiful 16mm footage, most of which are seen for the very first time in the film.
Here is the full list of winners:
Jury Awards
Best North American Narrative Feature: Ultrasound
– directed by Rob Schroeder. Written by Conor Stechschulte
– This award comes with a $1,000 cash award, $10,000 Panavision Camera Rental Grant, and $13,500 Light Iron Postproduction Package
Special Mention: the ensemble cast of What Josiah Saw
– directed by Vincent Grashaw. Written by Robert Alan Dilts.
Best International Narrative Feature: Isaac
– directed and written by Jurgis Matulevičius.
Best North American Documentary Feature: Larry Flynt for President
– directed by Nadia Szold.
Best International Documentary Feature: The Renegades
– directed by Lisa Maria Hagen and Mariam Noori
Special Mention: Everyone Wants to Be the Next Weismann
– directed by Alberto Triano.
Mammoth Lakes Film Festival director Shira Dubrovner and director of programming Paul Sbrizzi
Screenplay Competition
Best Screenplay: Mr. Cool by Beau Brians
Shorts
Best Narrative Short: “Manaus Hot City”
– directed by Rafael Ramos
Special Jury Mention for Creative Vision: “Progressive Touch”
– directed by Michael Portnoy
Special Jury Mention for Screenwriting: “Devek”
– directed by Uriya Hertz
Special Jury Mention for Episodic: “Khaki Is Not Leather”
– directed by Ray Smiling
Best Documentary Short: “A Man in Chain”
– directed by Alireza Mirasadullah
Special Mention to “Vagalumes (Fireflies)”
– directed by Leo Bittencourt
Best Animation Short: “Human Nature”
– directed by Sverre Fredriksen
Special Mention to “Millennial Prince”
– directed by Julie Fliegenspan
Best Music Video: “Sink In” by Tirzah
– directed by Leah Walker
Music Video Special Mention: “Houkou” by Satomimagae
– directed by Nonowe Akihito
Music Video Special Mention: “Room with a View” by Rone
– directed by (La)Horde: Brutti, Debrouwer, and Harel
Audience Awards
Best North American Narrative Feature: Social
– Miles Triplett’s low-budget rom-com was shot on a shoe-string budget of $3,000. Festival director Shira Dubrovner joked while presenting Triplett the award that the $1,000 cash prize gets him one third of the way to funding his next film. This award also comes with a $5,000 Panavision camera rental grant.
Best International Narrative Feature: Isaac
– directed and written by Jurgis Matulevičius
Best North American Documentary Feature: Larry Flynt for President
– directed by Nadia Szold
Best International Documentary Feature: Beautiful Idiots
– directed by Michael Ginthoer. Written by Michael Ginthoer and Christos Chassapis.
Bravery Award
Nancy Wagoner for her documentary Fearless
The 2021 Jury Members: Allison Amon (Producer), Devin Digonno (Producer), Shali Doré (Variety), Caleb Hammond (MovieMaker), Brian Welk (The Wrap), Rebecca Keegan (The Hollywood Reporter), David Massey (independent filmmaker), Ana Souza (Programmer, Sundance), Kimberley Browning (Tribeca Film Festival & Hollywood Shorts), Jacques Thelemaque (Los Angeles filmmaking collective), Sarah Diamond (Slamdance), Elegance Bratton (director and producer), Breven Warren (Angaelica), Summre Garber (Slamdance), and Bojana Sandic (New Filmmakers Los Angeles).
Main image (above): Larry Flynt in the documentary Larry Flynt for President.
Mammoth Lakes Film Festival wrapped yesterday.
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