Gen Silent, I'm in the Mood for Love win at Vancouver Queer Film Festival 2011 awards

by Craig Takeuchi on August 22nd, 2011 at 10:40 AM

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Twelve days and over 101 films later, you'll be forgiven if you've reached your movie-viewing saturation point. The Vancouver Queer Film Festival, one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in Vancouver, wrapped up its 23rd run yesterday (August 21) with a closing gala at Granville 7 Cinemas that included an awards presentation to celebrate the best in queer cinema.

Audience members voted and chose Gen Silent, an American documentary by Stu Maddux about LGBT seniors and the challenges they face in the care system, as their favourite feature-length film in the festival this year. Maddux will receive a cash prize of $750 for the OUTtv People's Choice Award for Best Feature.

As for the audience's favourite short films, it turned out to be a ménage-a-trois (a first in the festival's history). Mette Bach ("B.A.B.S."), Callista Haggis ("Quirk-E: A Learning Collective"), and Gary Riotta ("Finding Judy") will each receive $250 for winning the OUTtv Hot Pink Shorts Award as a three-way tie.

Meanwhile, local director Jason Karman was named the best short film or video. His short film "I'm in the Mood for Love", about a singing telegram worker's awkward encounter with his ex-boyfriend at a hot-pot restaurant, won the Gerry Brunet Memorial Award. Karman will receive $1,000 worth of Technicolor film production services. The film was chosen by a jury consisting of filmmakers Angelina Cantada ("Sikat"), Jen Crothers ("Butch Tits"), and Cal Garingan ("Waiting 4 Goliath").

High fives to all the winners!

For your viewing pleasure, here's an interview with Gen Silent director Maddux, who talks about his experience of making his documentary.