AWARDS 2020
JURY AWARDS AND STATEMENTS
Best Feature: GODDESS OF FORTUNE
The dreamy and tranquil Italian scenery belies the turbulence of a gay partnership on the edge of collapse, multiple amusingly vivacious and entangled relationships, and the unexpected addition of children to an already chaotic daily life. Rich characters and subplots develop as we are taken on a surprise adventure to fight for what is right and put the wishes of a childhood friend above all else to form a new and thoroughly modern family.
Honorable Mention: ALICE JUNIOR
This witty and fun social media take on the story of an urban Transgender teenager moving to a small town proved that a group of local “misfits” can find community and love, which turns out to be the winning combination for challenging long-held viewpoints and creating a new paradigm of what it means to be cool.
Honorable Mention: GOSSAMER FOLDS
A child’s perspective gives us fresh insights into friendship, family, and what it means to be a Black Transgender woman on this emotional journey that bonds unlikely neighbors, creating a tight-knit circle that bridges racial, economic, and educational differences.
Best Documentary Film: OUR DANCE OF REVOLUTION
A vital recognition and celebration of black queer history, community building, and political activism, Our Dance of Revolution centers the joy of the fight in the past, whilst not losing sight of the challenges of today.
Best Short Film: HAKUUMACAATO
This short film hits hard but leaves you with a glimmer of hope. A traditional Somalian father grapples with his son’s homosexuality, leading to an explosive and violent confrontation, in which the father’s past serves as a gateway to understanding his son’s emerging self. We found it messy, gut-wrenching, complicated and real.
Most Innovative Short Film: LADIES, GENTLEMEN AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN (Sayidaati, saadati, wakull man baynahum)
The social construct of Gender is explored and deconstructed innovatively through an impeccable visual landscape, evocative sound design, the limitations of language, and a touching personal story, all combining to create an immersive world of breaking free.
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Favorite Feature: ALICE JÚNIOR
The audience's top feature was this heartwarming film about a young trans girl moving to a new town, and her quest for love. If you missed this gem, or want others to check it out it is now available on Netflix!
Favorite Documentary Feature: THE DILEMMA OF DESIRE
Your favorite doc was this exploration of women's sexuality and the importance of understanding your own body and desires.
Favorite Short (Overall): KAMA’ĀINA (Child of the Land)
Your top short of the fest was this important and moving story of a queer teen's experience with homelessness in Hawai'i's largest encampment.
Favorite Lesbian Short Film: AYANEH
Featured in our Girls Shorts program, this film tells the story of a young girl exploring her sexuality for the first time in a new country and overcoming pushback from her conservative family.
Favorite Gay Short Film: WONDER
Just in time for Halloween! Young Sammy questions the status quo and follows his dreams of dressing up as Wonder Woman for Halloween.
Favorite Trans Short Film: THE ROGERS
A Three Dollar Bill Cinema favorite! The Rogers was featured in our Indigenous Showcase Shorts, as well as Translations: Seattle Transgender Film Festival in May.
JURY MEMBERS
FEATURES JURY
Tom Ortenzi In some shape or form, Tom has been involved with 3DBC and its larger community since he moved to Seattle in 2014. Prior to that he was an avid supporter of Frameline in San Francisco. This year marks the first time he has served as a juror and corresponds with his burgeoning interest in independent queer cinema (as well as his interest in branching out into new areas of interest during COVID).
Lily Supardan works in talent acquisition for Expedia, and has been in some form of or another, human resources for the last 25 years. She has been a supporter of TDBC for the last few years – as a screener for film festival, and serving on the board of directors. You can usually find her teaching classes at barre3 Capitol Hill, walking her two Boston Terrier rescues, or eating in her “spare time”.
David Daniels is a long time volunteer and former board member of Three Dollar Bill Cinema. He began his journey with TDBC as a house manager and film screener and has a love for social justice focused documentaries, films that highlight intersectionality, and any heart-felt love/coming of age stories. David is an HR leader for Snap, Inc, Board Member of Ada Developer Academy and resides in Seattle, Washington on Capitol Hill with his partner.
DOCUMENTARY JURY
Rebecca M. Davis has been emceeing and hosting events since her 8th grade talent show! You may have seen her hosting various events at MoPop, New Year’s Eve at the Space Needle, or Concerts at the Mural. She also has been lucky enough to read auctions with Laura Michalek, most recently at the Path With Art and Shunpike gala fundraisers. A local Seattle actor for well over a decade (last seen at Seattle Shakespeare as Touchstone) Rebecca has been fortunate to give back to the Seattle theater community in helping to raise money at auctions for Seattle Public Theatre, Theater Schmeater, and Sound Theatre Company. Emcee’ing has taken her up and down the West Coast and Canada, as well as to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.
Ken Shulman has been viewing LGBTQ+ documentaries since they began to be screened in the 1970s. “LGBTQ+ documentaries teach us what life is or was like for others, in other places and times. Sometimes, they help us to see how our life is part of LGBTQ+ history.” Ken is the Executive Director of the Lambert House LGBTQ Youth Center, which screens LGBTQ+ films for youth weekly year-around as one of its programs.
Russ Gage Co-Founder of QDoc (the Portland Queer Documentary Film Festival), Russ Gage’s mind was blown by the first queer film fest screening he ever attended. Since then he’s become a festival advocate, producer and programmer, bringing audiences and filmmakers together for the last 25 years at the SFILGBTQ Film Festival, the Portland International Film Festival, and the Northwest Filmmakers Film Festival among others. Currently senior programmer at QDoc, Russ is excited to finally experience Three Dollar Bill Cinema!
SHORTS JURY
Megan Siu Lau 劉紹怡 is a first generation Chinese-American and an award-winning filmmaker from the small town of Martinez, California. They are a cinematographer, producer, designer, and photographer fascinated with human interaction. Megan believes that every story is worth sharing so we can build an ideal world rooted in understanding. They aim to uplift voices of the underrepresented through producing content that welcomes and accepts individuals as a whole. Megan also volunteers their time and skills towards various LGTBQ+ and API community organizations within the greater Los Angeles area. One day, Megan hopes to become an Asian grandma and go shopping for groceries in a puffy vest and cart full of various vegetables on a Sunday morning.
Kasey Ferlic (she/her/hers) is a photographer and video-artist. She co-directed and co-produced the film Dogana/Chapti (2018, Official Selection at Frameline43, Oregon Documentary Film Festival, Seattle Queer Film Festival, Nahia Film Festival, Cinema Diverse, available on Amazon Prime) and is an award-winning producer and content creator. Her photography can be found on CNN, Harper’s Bazaar (India), the Pew Center for the Arts, and the Denver Westword.
Yes Segura, is a 1st generational El Salvadoran American openly Transgender Man who actively works as a New Mobility Transportation Planner focusing on equity & health. He hails from Richmond,VA, but is based out of Seattle,WA. You can find him biking around town on his 1970’s shiny blue Peugeot. To learn more about Yes head on over to www.YesSegura.com
Pete Rush is a costume and scenic designer for theater and film. His work has been seen in Seattle on the stages of 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Book-It Rep among others. He additionally serves as an Arts Program Specialist with Seattle Center, where he helps produce free public programing and events. As a freelance visual artist, his work was included last summer in the AIDS Memorial Pathway’s (AMP) temporary art installations series.
AWARD SELECTION INFORMATION
AUDIENCE AWARDS are determined by votes from attendees during the festival, based on the star ratings given by viewers after watching films on Cinesend.
Audience decides on Favorite Narrative Feature, Favorite Documentary Feature, Favorite Gay Short Film, Favorite Lesbian Short Film, and Favorite Transgender Short Film.
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE are decided on by our esteemed jurors these include: Best Documentary Film, Best Narrative Feature, Best Short Film, and Most Innovative Short Film.