Jury Duty — 5 Point Film Festival Awards 2010

When I hike or ski with 5 Points film festival founder and director Julie Kennedy, I love hearing about the films she screens for 5 Point. A wide variety of incredible footage come their way and she often mentions how hard it is to make the final selections.

Due to a last minute cancellation, I joined the jury for festival awards. Thrilled to be on the inside scene of my favorite event of the year, all I thought about was the fun and excitement ahead. Never did it dawn on me that the task would be near impossible. I can relate to the gal in Rowing the Atlantic (flic at the festival) who embraces her dream as an intriguing challenge and then, alone in the middle of the ocean with tendonitis, a broken Sat phone and busted oars, she realizes how intense the next 90 days will be.

Move over Academy Awards, dolled up 5 Point film festival jurors Lisa Dawson (left to right) Nick Waggoner and Michele Cardamone make the presentation Sunday afternoon at the festival.

A spring storm brought us four days of cold, cloudy weather, perfect for hunkering down to watch movies. Nick Waggoner, a rising star in the film making world, and photographer Michele Cardamone were my fellow jurors.

Delighted to have an opportunity to reconnect as friends, Michele and I sat together. At the end of the first evening, we were nearly speechless. How in the world were we going to do this? Film after amazing film. We wished we could give an award to each.

After hearty debates and careful deliberations, the following awards were presented:
Best Adventure Sport: Second Nature
Finalists: Dream Result, Kranked

Most Inspiring Story:The Fall Line (defunct link removed 2015)
Finalists: Rowing the Atlantic, Gum for my Boat
Best of Festival: First Ascent-Patagonia Promise
Finalists: 180 degrees South, First Ascent–Brothers Wild (can’t find trailer)
Jury Special Mention: 180 Degrees South
Finalists: Wild Water (teaser), Border Country (my favorite and one of Lou’s as well)
Best Cinematography: Scattered Flurries
Finalists: Kranked, As It Happens (defunct link removed 2015)

People’s Choice: Gum for my Boat

11 Responses to “Jury Duty — 5 Point Film Festival Awards 2010”

1. Anson Fogel May 5th, 2010 11:13 am

   Lisa,

   WildWater info and trailers can be seen at http://www.wildwaterfilm.com – thanks for the mention and honor. It was incredible to be involved in such an amazing event in our home town…

   Anson
   Forge Motion Pictures

2. Michele Cardamone May 5th, 2010 12:37 pm

   It was an amazing weekend with incredibly inspiring films. It was also a gathering of such young and talented filmmakers who will, undoubtedly, be successful in any endeavor they feel compelled to take on! It was a great way to connect with friends of all ages and kids and grandparents alike seemed to enjoy the programs. I don’t know how Lisa, Nick and I managed to choose the winners for the awards as all the films were powerful, moving and well made! Kudos to the 5Point team, the filmmakers and the enthusiastic audience!

3. Lou May 5th, 2010 12:42 pm

   Thanks Anson, I added your link. Anyone know where in the world the trailer is or whatever for the rowing film?

4. Colin in CA May 5th, 2010 2:11 pm

   I don’t know where the trailer is, but I know Nick Waggoner has a great sense of humor.

   At the SF screening of Hand Cut, I (luckily) won a pair of Flylow pants. A couple of other people won slabs of trout. Super random, and pretty darn funny.

5. Lou May 5th, 2010 2:30 pm

   Yeah, last I heard Nick was being chased down Carbondale main street by a pair of cougars. He was filming during the chase, of course.

6. Beda May 5th, 2010 2:57 pm

   Here is the link to ‘Rowing The Atlantic’

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEE-VPm1B3M&feature=related

   Thank you jury for your hard work! You guys did an amazing job of honoring all of the films. I also greatly appreciate your feedback, next year we will bring the 5Point ‘A’ game to the award ceremony. Watch out Academy Awards is right…

7. Lou May 5th, 2010 3:59 pm

   Thanks Beda, the link is added.

8. gabriel phillips May 6th, 2010 4:45 am

   Cheers for the :alien: article – I enjoyed reading it! I always love reading this blog.

9. Lou May 6th, 2010 5:23 am

   Beda, the only online film I can’t find is Brother’s Wild, you got a link? Lou

10. Lisa May 6th, 2010 5:35 am

    Anson, WildWater was one of my top favorites. It breaks the mold for kayak films, amazing footage with insightful dialogue. Looking forward to watching the full length film.

11. Peter May 7th, 2010 8:36 am

    Cool deal. Kranked reminded me of me and my friends racing down Tunnel Trail and doing my best not to shed blood before completion of the ride.