The Last Rites of Joe May Takes Top Awards at 2011 Best of the Midwest Awards

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The 2011 Best of the Midwest Awards, an annual ceremony that celebrates Chicago’s Midwest Independent Film Festival, were presented on Tuesday, December 6th in downtown Chicago. Hometown film, “The Last Rites of Joe May,” directed by Joe Maggio was the big winner, taking home the prizes for Best Feature, Best Actor for Dennis Farina and Best Actress for Meredith Droeger.

“The Last Rites of Joe May, chronicles the last days in the life of Joe May, an aging, short money hustler who, despite a life of loss and failure, has always believed that a glorious destiny awaited him. Now in his sixties, his health failing and resources dwindling, Joe is presented with one last shot at greatness.

The 2011 Best of the Midwest Award Winners are as followed….

Best Feature
“The Last Rites of Joe May,” directed by Joe Maggio

Best Director
Mike Diedrich, “Ballhawks”

Best Actor
Winner: Dennis Farina, “The Last Rites of Joe May”

Best Actress
Winner: Meredith Droeger, “The Last Rites of Joe May”

Best Music Video
Winner: “Call the Press and Send Their Best,” directed by Michael Starcevich and Mattew Achterberg.

Best Short Film
Winner: “A Certain Breed,” directed by Scott Smith

Best Editing
Winner: Randy Palmer, Jr. and Brooks Ruyle, “Ballhawks”

Best Cinematography
Winner: Joel Edwards, “Mumbai Golf”

Best Screenplay
Winner: Dean Peterson, “Incredibly Small”

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The Midwest Independent Film Festival To Announce The 2010 Best of the Midwest Awards

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Tonight, Tuesday, December 7th, is the 2010 edition of the Best of the Midwest Awards, honoring the achievements of local Midwestern filmmakers who participated in the Midwest Independent Film Festival this year.

Nominees for the 2010 BMAs:

Best Music Video

Bring Yourself, directed by Dan Bigelow for Oh My God

Take Everything, directed by Otto Arsenault for Greg Laswell

Race You, produced by Foundation Content for Elizabeth and the Catapult

Love Song for Buddy, directed by Scott Marvel for Headlights

Questionable Beef, directed by Ryan Taylor for Lola Balatro

Best Short Film

A Short Film, directed by Sarah Schooley, Merje Veski and Holly Todd

Food Chain, directed by Erik Moe, executive produced by Ivo Knezevic

Look for Me, directed by Laura Heit

Lotology, directed by Tim Blevins and Nina Orezzoli, produced by Ramon Nunez

Successful Alcoholics, directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Best Editing

Bob Mori, Caught in the Crossfire

Steve James, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson

Steve Delahoyde, Regrets

Ross Albert and Michael Matzdorff, Feed the Fish

Andy Awes, Lotology


Best Female Actor

Emily Wilson, Bring It In

Olivia Walby, Annabelle & Bear

Stacia Rice, The Egg Timer

Katie Enright, Home Cooked Meal

Megan Moore Burns, Something Better Somewhere Else

Best Cinematography

Mike Gillis, The Violinist

John Guleserian, Whirlybird

Steve Parker, Feed the Fish

Kevin Moss, Chicago Overcoat

Richard Sobin, Burden


Best Screenplay

Andrew Dowd, Josh Staman, John Bosher, Brian Caunter, Chicago Overcoat

Dina Facklis, Brett Lyons, Andy St. Clair, Susan Salvi, Katy Fullan, Megan Grano, Brad Morris, Bring It In

Ron Lazzeretti, Something Better Somewhere Else

Michael Matzdorff, Feed the Fish

T.J. Miller and Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Successful Alcoholics

Malik Yusef and Frey Hoffman, Hollywood Jerome


Best Male Actor

Tony Shalhoub, Feed the Fish

David Pasquesi, Something Better Somewhere Else

T.J. Miller, Successful Alcoholics

Danny Goldring, Chicago Overcoat

Cesar Gamino, The Violinist

Best Director

Otto Arsenault, Take Everything

Steve James, No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson

Ron Lazzeretti, Something Better Somewhere Else

Michael Matzdorff, Feed the Fish

Jordan Vogt-Roberts, Successful Alcoholics

Amy Weber, Annabelle & Bear


Best Feature

Annabelle & Bear, directed by Amy Weber

Chicago Overcoat, directed by Brian Caunter

Feed the Fish, directed by Michael Matzdorff

No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson, directed by Steve James

Something Better Somewhere Else, directed by Ron Lazzeretti