Winners of 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards
Posted by editor@vimooz.com on May 23, 2009 under San Joaquin International Film Festival | 
- Best Narrative Film “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie
The San Joaquin Film Society announced the winning films of the 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival Jury Awards. Winnings films were selected by a distinguished jury of film artists and industry professionals.
– The winners are:
Best Narrative Film
- Best Narrative Film “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie
- “Cherry Blossoms” - Dir. Doris Dörrie (Germany, Japan)
Only Trudi knows that her husband Rudi is suffering from a terminal illness. It is up to her to tell him or not. The doctor suggests that they do something together, perhaps something they were long planning to do… Trudi decides not to tell her husband about the gravity of his illness and to follow the doctor´s advice. She convinces Rudi to visit their children and grandchildren in Berlin. But once they arrive, they realize that their children are so busy with their own lives that they have no time for them. Then, suddenly, Trudi dies. Rudi is devastated and has no idea what to do next. From his daughter´s girlfriend he learns that Trudi´s love for him had led her to forego the life that she had wanted to live. He begins to see her with new eyes and vows to make up for her lost life. And so he embarks on his last journey - to Tokyo, in the midst of the cherry blossom festival, a celebration of beauty, impermanence and new beginnings…
Best Documentary Film
- Best Documentary Film “D Tour” - Dir. Jim Granato
- “D Tour” - Dir. Jim Granato (USA)
Pat Spurgeon is a professional musician whose dreams of being in a successful rock ‘n’ roll band have come true. But just as his band, Rogue Wave, starts to take off, his kidney starts to fail. “D tour” chronicles the life of a musician with “no back-up plan” as he’s faced with daily dialysis, a grueling tour, and a search for a new kidney. “D tour” will also address issues with the health care system, the lack of affordable insurance, the importance of organ donation, plus much more. Featuring live performances from Rogue Wave, The Moore Brothers, John Vanderslice, Nada Surf, and Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie).
Best Narrative Short Film
- “Memphis Calling” - Dir. Colin Mitchell USA)
Best Documentary Short Film
- “12 Notes Down” - Dir. Andreas Koefoed (Denmark)
Best Animated Short Film
- “Chicory ‘n’ Coffee” - Dir. Dusan Kastelic (Slovenia)
Best Experimental Short Film
- “Slow” - Dir. Kurt Kuenne (USA)
Experimental Short Film Honorable Mention
- “Flying Lessons” - Dir. Rosane Chamecki, Phil Harder, Andrea Lerner (USA)
Best Student Short Film
- “The Watchman and the Little Girl” - Dir. Christoph Englert (Germany)
Members of the jury are:
Narrative Feature Competition
- Misha McLaird, PhD
(Director of Acquisitions, Las Américas Film Network)
- Chris Wiggum
(Director of Public Relations and Business Development, Global Film Initiative)
Documentary Feature Competition
- Kristy Guevara-Flanagan
(Documentary Director)
- Teresa Hagen
(Owner, Cut Loose Productions)
Short Films Competition
- Erahm Christopher
(Director, Writer, and Producer)
- Jessica Sison
(Documentary Filmmaker and Editor)
– About the Festival
The 2nd San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF2), the flagship annual exhibition of the San Joaquin Film Society taking place May 14 to 23, 2009 - is a glorious world showcase of new and innovative works from emerging talents and seasoned international artists, presented in various venues across the city of Stockton in the heart of California’s Central Valley.
