Pulling Focus
Award
Ceremony
Best Short Film - The Rebel Girls Directed by Felicia D. Henderson
Best Inspirational - Cup of Tea Directed by Gabriel Noble
Best Student Film - Somewhere In Brooklyn, Directed by Brandon Wilkerson
Best First Time Filmmaker - Roadmarks Directed by Brandon McKnight
Best in Midwest - Pretty Boy Directed by Kevin Coleman-Cohen
The Reel Impact - One Person, One Vote? by Maximina Juson
About The Event
Experience the extraordinary at the Pulling Focus independent film festival award ceremony! Join us for a beautiful evening celebrating cinematic innovation, artistic expression, and thought-provoking storytelling. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of a community passionate about independent film. Don't miss the chance to network with filmmakers, gain insights into the creative process, and be inspired by the power of independent cinema. Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of film at our independent film festival award ceremony.
Jonathan Burnett
Independent Filmmaker/Educator
Head of Film Production
See Trouble Films. A fulltime Professor of Cinema at
Los Angeles Valley College.
Portia Cobb
A Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Peck School of The Arts: Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres where she teaches community documentary and contextual courses in Radical Cinemas.
Charles Burnett
An American filmmaker who gained critical acclaim for his realistic and intimate portrayals of African American families. Burnett’s films, most of which he wrote as well as directed, were revered by critics. Two of his movies were added to the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry: Killer of Sheep (1977) in 1990 and To Sleep with Anger (1990) in 2017.
Daniel De Boulay
After studying Screenwriting and Business Administration at Loyola Marymount, he joined Sony Pictures Entertainment's Worldwide Acquisitions, reviewing film submissions. His first executive acquisition was "DOWN WITH THE KING," starring Freddie Gibbs, reflecting his passion for hip-hop. Later, he acquired "BOXING DAY," a British-Caribbean comedy by Aml Ameen, a significant achievement for him as a Trinidadian.
Stephen James Taylor
An American composer best known for his film and TV scores. He has earned four Emmy nominations, two Annie nominations, and a DVD-X Award for "Best Original Score.
Joy Shannon
A versatile artist, filmmaker, and educator based in Los. She is a writer and director of several indie feature and short films. Joy has her BFA from Howard University and her MA in film from The American University, both in Washington, DC. She served as a juror for the Corporation for Public Broadcast (CPB) and was a grant recipient from AFI and WETA.
O.Funmilayo Makarah
An award-winning film/videomaker, installation artist, curator, media activist and educator from Los Angeles. She uses experimental and documentary conventions to intertwine social, political, and economic concerns with issues of history, gender, race, and identity. She is the founder and Executive Director of the eighteen-year-old Heritage Film Festival
Our esteemed panel of judges, with diverse expertise in the film industry, faced the difficult task of making the final judgment for our film festival. Each film presented a unique vision, making the selection process challenging. The judges analyzed storytelling, technical proficiency, and thematic depth. After passionate deliberation, they chose films that captured their hearts and pushed boundaries. The judges' commitment and collaboration ensured the chosen films represented artistic excellence in cinema. We are grateful for their guidance in celebrating creativity and innovation in the industry.
Award Ceremony At The Last Picture House
Urban Exposure & Pulling Focus Promo Reel
Jonathan Burnett
Portia Cobb
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Daniel De Boulay
Stephen James Taylor
Charles Burnett
Joy Shannon
O.Funmilayo Makarah
