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Vail Film Fest announces 2013 awards

Vail Daily staff report
Chris Anthony was happy to accept an award for the documentary "Climb to Glory: The Legacy of the 10th Mountain Ski Trooper," which won the Audience Choice Award at the Vail Film Festival Saturday. Justin McCarty / jmccarty@vaildaily.com

The 2013 Vail Film Festival Jurors recognized outstanding films in the following categories:

  • Best Feature Film – “Drinking Buddies,” directed by Joe Swanberg. Drinking Buddies centers on Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson), who work together at a craft brewery. They have one of those friendships that feels like it could be something more. Swanberg's attendance and inspirational Q&A with filmmakers was a true example of the Festival's mission to provide a gathering place for both established and new filmmakers to come together and foster independent cinema.
  • Best Adventure Film – “Where the Trail Ends,” directed by Jeremy Grant. Where the Trail Ends is a film following the world's top free ride mountain bikers as they search for untraveled terrain around the globe, ultimately shaping the future of big mountain free riding.
  • Best Short Film – “Dismissed,” directed by Oren Hod. After Zvi, an 80 year-old retired general, is being told he doesn't have much time left, he returns home to plan his next steps. An interaction with his son Amir makes him re-think his plans.
  • Best Documentary – “Spinning Plates,” directed by Joseph Levy. Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are.
  • Best Student Film – “Grey Matter,” directed by James B. Cox. Grey Matter is an official adaptation of Stephen King's short story about a man whose alcoholism causes him to change in horrific ways and how his teenage son must find a way to save his father.

VAIL — The 2013 10th Anniversary Vail Film Festival (www.vailfilmfestival.com), announced the official award recipients for this year’s festival, which was held March 28-31, in Vail. The Festival showcased 40 films from across the globe with screenings held at Four Seasons Resort Vail, which served as the host hotel for the 2013 Festival, Cinebistro at Solaris and the Vail Mountain School.

“The 10th anniversary Vail Film Festival was an extraordinary success. We are thankful to the filmmakers, patrons, volunteers, staff, and most importantly, the town of Vail for their immense support in turning Vail into one of the premiere film festivals of the year,” said Scott and Sean Cross, the Vail Film Festival co-directors. “We received tremendous feedback from this year’s guests about the 2013 film program. We’d like to congratulate this year’s tribute recipient, Tate Taylor, the award winners and all of this year’s filmmakers for their outstanding achievements.”

Vanguard Award for Excellence in Directing Tribute:



The Vail Film Festival presented this year’s honor to filmmaker Tate Taylor, best known for his adaption and direction of Kathryn’s Stockett’s novel, The Help. The Help grossed over $220 million worldwide, was nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and earned Octavia Spencer an Academy Award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The Help supporting actress, Allison Janney presented the Excellence in Directing Award to Taylor during the Festival’s Closing Night Awards Ceremony, followed by a Q&A between the two.

The 10th anniversary Vail Film Festival was an extraordinary success. We are thankful to the filmmakers, patrons, volunteers, staff, and most importantly, the town of Vail for their immense support in turning Vail into one of the premiere film festivals of the year

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The 2013 Cadillac Audience Award was presented to “Climb to Glory: Legacy of the 10th Mountain Ski Troopers film.” Local Warren Miller athlete Chris Anthony, who helped create the film, accepted the award. Produced by Colorado Ski and Snowboard Museum in partnership with Warren Miller Entertainment, the film tells the story of the 10th Mountain Division Ski Troopers and how they transformed skiing as a whole and championed the U.S. Ski Industry after World War II.



The 2013 Vail Film Festival Jurors recognized outstanding films in the following categories:

Best Feature Film – “Drinking Buddies,” directed by Joe Swanberg. Drinking Buddies centers on Kate (Olivia Wilde) and Luke (Jake Johnson), who work together at a craft brewery. They have one of those friendships that feels like it could be something more. Swanberg’s attendance and inspirational Q&A with filmmakers was a true example of the Festival’s mission to provide a gathering place for both established and new filmmakers to come together and foster independent cinema.

Best Adventure Film – “Where the Trail Ends,” directed by Jeremy Grant. Where the Trail Ends is a film following the world’s top free ride mountain bikers as they search for untraveled terrain around the globe, ultimately shaping the future of big mountain free riding.

Best Short Film – “Dismissed,” directed by Oren Hod. After Zvi, an 80 year-old retired general, is being told he doesn’t have much time left, he returns home to plan his next steps. An interaction with his son Amir makes him re-think his plans.

Best Documentary – “Spinning Plates,” directed by Joseph Levy. Spinning Plates is a documentary about three extraordinary restaurants and the incredible people who make them what they are.

Best Student Film – “Grey Matter,” directed by James B. Cox. Grey Matter is an official adaptation of Stephen King’s short story about a man whose alcoholism causes him to change in horrific ways and how his teenage son must find a way to save his father.


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