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Saturday, January 26---------Of all the parallel film events that have mushroomed (and withered) in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival three-ring circus, none has been more enduring and continually evolving as the Slamdance Film Festival. Founded by disgruntled filmmakers who had been closed out from the Sundance proceedings, the Festival has evolved into an important showcase of new indie talents that has continueD to maintain its considerable indie cred. In addition, Slamdance has retained its lowkey and friendly vibe, has not been invaded by corporate cash cows or aggressive swag sponsors. It is still about the films, the filmmakers, the networking possibilities and the opportunity to celebrate the diversity and health of the American and international independent film movements.

In ceremonies held yesterday, the 14th annual Slamdance Film Festival announced 15 film and screenplay prize winners in three categories who will share more than $200,000 in cash and prizes. The just-concluded Festival in Park City received over 3,500 submissions from 25 countries for less than 100 programming slots. Films competed in three divisions: Grand Jury, Audience and Writer Awards. In addition, a Special Award is given by Kodak. The Grand Jury Narrative Feature and Documentary Feature Award winners will be screened at the IFC Center in New York City in February.  Feature competition is limited to first-time filmmakers working with production budgets of $1 million or less.  
 
Additionally, Slamdance, Angel Baby Entertainment and Maverick Films will produce a feature film based on the year's prize-winning entry culled from the Slamdance Horror Screenplay Competition.  Besides having their screenplay guaranteed to be made into a feature motion picture, the winning writer will receive an upfront payment of $10,000 against 5% of the film's budget, plus net profits participation on the movie and payments for any sequels made of the motion picture.  The prize winning film will go into production this year and will have its World Premiere at next year's Slamdance Film Festival.

Grand Jury Awards:
 
Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature: THE NEW YEAR PARADE (director: Tom Quinn) 

Special Jury Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature: HOW TO BE (Oliver Irving)
          
Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature: SONG SUNG BLUE (Greg Kohs) 
                       
Special Jury Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature: MY MONSTER'S GARDEN (Cynthia Lester)

Audience Awards:

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: THE PROJECT (Ryan Piotrowicz) 

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature:  SONG SUNG BLUE (Greg Kohs) 

Global Audience Award for Best Anarchy Film: ROCK GARDEN (Gloria Kim)

Spirit of Slamdance Award: WOMAN IN BURKA (Jonathan Lisecki)

Writers Awards:

Best Feature Length Screenplay: THE WONDER GIRLS (Anthony Meindl)
Award for Best Short Screenplay: EASY PICKINS (Will Hartman) 
Best Teleplay: STAGE SIX PANDEMIC (Barbara Marshall)

Horror Competiton:

Best Screenplay : THE PUNISHED (Tony Mosher)
Creative Excellence Award: CHILD IN THE DARK (Damian Lahey and Ian Ogden)

Kodak Vision Award:

Best Cinematography: PORTAGE (cinematographers: Sascha Drews & Ezra Krybus)

For more information on this year's Festival, behind-the scenes footage and a complete listing of winners, log on to www.slamdance.com. 

Sandy Mandelberger, Awards Watch Editor