The Slamdance Film Festival came to a close on Friday evening with the announcement of the Sparky Awards at the edgy nighclub Suede. Winners were announced in over 20 categories. Over $200,000 in prizes were awarded. Following the ceremony, revelers partied into the wee hours with celebrity DJ's Swamp, C-Minus and Tito Plenty ramping up the techno music.


SLAMDANCE AWARD WINNERS

Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature
WE GO WAY BACK (Lynn Shelton)
A sly and tender depiction of one young woman's journey of self-rediscovery.

Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature
EMPIRE IN AFRICA(Philippe Diaz)
The story of the unjust war the international community waged against civil war stricken Sierra Leone.

Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short
THE SAVIOUR (Peter Templeman, Australia)
This director won the same award at the 2005 Sparky Awards.

Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Short
UNDER THE ROLLER COASTER (Lila Pace)

Grand Jury Prize for Best Animated Short
DRAGON (Troy Morgan)

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
THE SASQUATCH DUMPLING GANG (Tim Skousen)
Young, fantasy/sci-fi aficionado Gavin Gore and his friends stumble onto some huge footprints in the woods, while two of his dim-witted neighbors hatch a scheme to profit from the situation.

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
ABDUCTION: THE MEGUMI YAKOTA STORY (Chris Sheridan & Patty Kim)
The haunting story of a 13 year-old Japanese girl kidnapped by North Korean spies.

Award Winners will be shown in Salt Lake City today. A Best Of program will screen in New York and Los Angeles in February, with other cities to be announced on a national tour.

Sandy Mandelberger, Industry Editor