Sunday night, the 2017 Vancouver Queer Film Festival came to a close with a Gala party at The Junction following the closing film screening of Handsome Devil at Vancouver Playhouse.
“Our Vancouver Queer Film Festival not only showcased cutting edge queer film, it also gave our audiences all the best feels,” said Executive Director, Stephanie Goodwin. “We laughed. We cried. We got angry. And we loved. We forefronted stories that are underrepresented, yet have the power to transform lives.”
With thousands attending the 70+ films, talks and events spread around the city’s venues over the 11 day festival, there was plenty for the jury and audience to choose from in selecting the 2017 Vancouver Queer Film Festival Awards.
The trio of awards were presented at the Closing Gala to the following films and directors:
Gerry Brunet Memorial Award for Best BC Short ($2500 prize)
Supported by Su Craik and Lisa Heddema and Directors Guild of Canada-BC, the annual juried prize for the Vancouver Queer Film Festival’s best BC short film was established in 1997 in recognition of Gerry Brunet, a lifelong contributor to the arts and an early board member of Out On Screen.
Winner: Violet & June directed by Linnea Ritland
Honourable Mention: Stay Gold, Man Up directed by Ray McEachern
OUTTVGO People’s Choice Award for Best Feature ($750 prize)
Voted on by patrons of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Winner: Maybe Tomorrow (Baba Bukas) directed by Samantha Lee
OUTTVGO People’s Choice Award for Best Short ($500 prize)
Voted on by patrons of the Vancouver Queer Film Festival
Winner: Do I Have Boobs Now? directed by Joella Cabalu & Milena Salazar
If you missed the 2017 Vancouver Queer Film Festival work is starting now for the 2018 edition so keep your eyes on the screens for information about next year’s Festival.