




Pulling Focus
Award
Ceremony
6/8/2025
Best Short Film - Fannie Directed By Christine Swanson
Best Inspirational - More than Hair Directed By Fitch Jean
Best Student Film -Spare Me Directed By Wilderley Mauricette
Best First Time Filmmaker -Baby Girl Directed By Jay Alan
Best in Midwest - The Negro Artist Directed By Nikolas Heftman
The Reel Impact -Pirinha Directed By Natasha Craveiro
Open Competition Showcase (fka Out of Competition Showcase)
The End was just The Beginning Directed By Antonio Aleixo
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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.

Sunday, June 8th Time: 2:45 am- 4:45 pm
Venue: Figge Art Museum
(John Deere Auditorium )
563-324-1933, 225 West 2nd St., Davenport, IA 52801
Jonathan Burnett
Independent Filmmaker/Educator
Head of Film Production
See Trouble Films. A fulltime Professor of Cinema at
Los Angeles Valley College.
Maximina Juson is an award-winning filmmaker and founder of HUMovies, a film and video production company based in Los Angeles. Her debut feature film, "One Person, One Vote?" is a National Endowment for the Humanities grant recipient that world premiered at The 2024 Pan African Film Festival, taking home the Programmer's Award for Best Documentary Feature.
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.
Patrica Hardaway
A strategic attorney and executive whose sharp analytical skills and deep understanding of structure, equity, and conflict uniquely position her to evaluate powerful storytelling in film. With a legal background in labor law, discrimination, and conflict resolution, she brings a keen eye to films that tackle social justice and human rights. Her expertise in governance and mission-driven leadership adds depth to her perspective as a Pulling Focus Film Festival judge.
Our dynamic panel of judges—each bringing a distinct lens from across the film industry—took on the tough task of selecting this year’s standout films. With such a range of compelling voices and visions, the decision-making process was no easy feat. The judges thoughtfully evaluated each submission for its storytelling, technical execution, and thematic impact. After meaningful discussion and careful consideration, they selected films that not only moved them but also challenged convention. Their dedication and insight helped us honor the bold creativity and artistic excellence that define the spirit of this festival.


2024 Award Ceremony At The Last Picture House




Urban Exposure & Pulling Focus Promo Reel

Safiya Songhai is an African-American film director, screenwriter, editor and producer. She trained with highly acclaimed 'Sankofa' director Haile Gerima, playwright Ntozake Shange author of 'For Colored Girls', Legendary film icon and Oscar-winner, Spike Lee and the late Oscar nominated director John Singleton.Her fiction films explore themes of unrequited love, conflicts of temptation and religious devotion, as well as spirituality and the supernatural. Her film 'Ladylike' is one of the first film credits of the late Chadwick Boseman 'Black Panther'.
Chaz Hawkins
Chaz escaped horror by writing horror. The Emmy nominated scribe grew up in Tennessee, where monuments to atrocities tuck themselves beneath the growing skyline and opioid addiction runs rampant. Took his dad from dealer to daisies in record time. After running around the world, Chaz pivoted to the pen. With stories to tell, he found a home in the wide open world of genre, and hasn’t looked back.


Jonathan Burnett
Maximina Juson
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Daniel De Boulay

Safiya Songhai


Chaz Hawkins

Stephen James Taylor

Charles Burnett
