Most Promising Filmmaker: Chase Joynt
Rogers Audience Choice Award: THE INTERRUPTERS
Toronto-based filmmaker/artist Chase Joynt was awarded the Most Promising Filmmaker Award at Closing Night of the festival for his short documentary AKIN, which screened in the React and Recover program. AKIN is a lyrical exploration of the relationship between an Orthodox Jewish mother and her transgender son, and was chosen as the winner by a jury consisting of Sheena D. Robertson, Jeff Kariuki and Hubert Davis. Chase wins a $1000 gift certificate to William F. White and a Production Membership plus $500 in equipment rentals from the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT). Congrats to Chase on his win!
The 2012 Rogers Audience Choice Award went to THE INTERRUPTERS, Steve James’ powerful documentary about violence prevention in Chicago. The film screened to a packed house at Daniels Spectrum on the Friday of the festival, and was followed by a panel discussion on violence prevention strategies for Toronto moderated by Olu Quamina, Executive Director of the youth engagement organization Concrete Roses. Panel participants included Cobe Williams, one of the interrupters featured in the film, and leaders in violence prevention in Toronto. Congrats to everyone who made this such a meaningful night.