Our Winners: the 2020 Independent Film Awards—Recognizing Indie Film and its Lasting Impact on Cinema

We’re pleased to host our third straight year of the “Independent Film Awards,” our celebration of the hard-working independent film and low-budget productions we viewed during the 2020 year. This has been a difficult year for all amidst Covid and lockdowns, and we have seen Hollywood blockbuster films either shown in desolate theaters or pushed to streaming. At the same time, this has given way to highlight the many film festivals and awards ceremonies that have taken place online, as well as giving birth to more access to indie films screened virtually. 

The Independent Film Awards, apart from being a way to recognize achievement in indie cinema, was also born from the desire to share these pictures with the rest of the world. Too often, Box Office films and even larger budget independent films take up our mind space when we think of indie cinema. The low or micro budget crowd—which makes up the near totality of this awards ceremony—often falls to the wayside. These film awards are a way to not only recognize these films and their makers, but to introduce these films to our audience for consideration. 

Without further adieu, we present the winners of our 2020 Independent Film Awards. We’ve expanded our categories from last year, and now list winners from the following categories: ‘Best Full-Length Film,’ ‘Best Short,’ ‘Best Actor,’ ‘Best Actress,’ ‘Best Supporting Actor,’ ‘Best Supporting Actress,’ ‘Best Documentary,’ ‘Best Debut Filmmaker,’ ‘Best Soundtrack,’ ‘Best Cinematography,’ ‘Best Director,’ ‘Best Original Screenplay,’ ‘Best Breakthrough Performance,’ ‘Best Set Design,’ and ‘The Movie Buff Choice Award’ for outstanding achievement in quality indie content. 

Questions or comments? Leave us a message in the comment section below or email editor@themoviebuff.net. 

Best Documentary Film—‘European Tour ’73’

Written and Directed by Ross Munro, “European Tour ’73” is a documentary of superlative design. The film takes its audience on a tour of Europe in 1973 via Super 8 videocamera footage his father took of their family vacation. The film is a tour of not just locations, but of a different time: the audience learns about important historical events and even gets a sprinkling of political commentary along the way, all with passion and heart. (Read full review).

*”European Tour ’73” is currently doing the festival circuit and is not available for viewing on streaming platforms. 

Best Short Film—‘Candice’ 

“Candice” is a sweet and introspective film. Directed by George Watson and written by Alexei Slater, the film, at just under 10 minutes, chronicles misconceptions, stranger danger, and attempts to break down stereotypes we have towards other people. Its leads (Nicholas Pinnock, Olivia Poulet) bring great emotions to the surface, and the film works to bring audiences into their world with pensive cinematography, dialogue, and emotional takeaways.

*”Candice” is available to watch for free on YouTube by clicking the following link: Watch Now.

Honorable Mention—‘The Recursion Theorem’ 

Best Debut Filmmaker—Jacob Ethan Tanner 

Jacob Ethan Tanner’s “It’s Quiet in the Cold” was one of our favorite indies we saw last year, which was both visually appealing and stylistically gritty. The film’s visuals are surreal in a noir way, and Tanner, the film’s writer and director, shows a keen eye for the craft and showcases an ability to tell a large story with minimal time and dialogue. Jacob Ethan Tanner is a talented filmmaker and one to watch out for. (Read our interview with Jacob Ethan Tanner here).

*You can watch “It’s Quiet in the Cold” for free on YouTube with the following link: Watch Now. 

Best Cinematography—Omar Juarez, ‘The Recursion Theorem’ 

“The Recursion Theorem” employs a black and white, noir feel, and its Director of Photography, Omar Juarez, helps to make the film as impactful as it ultimately is. Close-up shots, top-down and bottom-up shots, and lingering, artful cameras line the film’s run. Juarez has an extensive history as a cinematographer, stretching back the last 10 years, and is a welcome addition to indie cinema that helps to make “The Recursion Theorem” what it is. (Read full review).

*”The Recursion Theorem” is now available to watch for free on YouTube: Watch now.

Honorable Mention—Anthony Guttierez, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

Best Set Design—‘Murder Made Easy’ 

Director David Palamaro’s “Murder Made Easy” is a throwback murder mystery with a twist that makes it engaging and enticing. Its set design is top of the line, featuring a stately home, engaging set pieces, eerie feel, and, of course, typical whodunit-style happenings. It has a twist and more reasons to watch it than this simple description, but the film handily wins our ‘Best Set Design’ award and is an enticing watch you shouldn’t miss. (Read full review).

*You can watch “Murder Made Easy” on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Roku, Tubi, Vudu, and Google Play. 

Honorable Mention—‘The Recursion Theorem’ 

Best Soundtrack/Score—Ryan Collins, William Joseph George Hall-Esquire, Sean Slaughter, ‘Amaranthine’ 

“Amarathine,” a post-Apocalyptic short, is forlornly filmed, capturing the emotions and heart director Evan Schneider and writer Marc Powers poured into his project. Dark, somber nights line the production; but the film is helped greatly by its soundtrack, led by Ryan Collins (Sound Mixer, 2nd Unit), William Joseph George Hall-Esquire (Sound Designer), and Sean Slaughter (Sound Mixer). The soundtrack features ambient sounds full of low-droning bass, synthesizers, with light ambiance during its lighter moments, and anxiety-inducing sounds for the film’s desperate sequences. Together, they work to make “Amaranthine” make a lasting impact. (Read full review).

*”Amaranthine” is currently still in the screening process and unavailable to watch. You can watch the film’s trailer on the official website here: Watch Now. 

Honorable Mention—Jaren Drew, David Noah Guarneri, Christian Hessler, Melanie McDonald, ‘The Recursion Theorem’ 

Best Breakthrough Performance—Kit Sweet, ‘It’s Quiet in the Cold’ 

It’s no secret that we liked “It’s Quiet in the Cold,” the debut film from indie filmmaker Jacob Ethan Tanner. But within the film we also find a second award for the film in the form of “Best Breakthrough Performance” for actor Kit Sweet. Sweet plays Roland, and fits into the film with naturalness and ease. Says Matt DeCristo, Film Critic for The Movie Buff, “Kit has an un-coachable look and aura that oozes that sinister vibe, making him the perfect villain.” (Read full review). 

Best Original Screenplay—Brett Bentman, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

Brett Bentman’s “The Rodeo Thief” is an ambitious project, the second part of his modern Western motif that has lined his recent work. The screenplay and dialogue is a major accomplishment for Bentman, which seems to flow naturally from his actors throughout. But the best part of the writing is how the characters seem to mesh, and Bentman is content to let the film slow in parts to let us understand these characters as people, rather than racing to the action. You feel like you live in this Texas community for its run-time, and it’s a credit to Bentman that he felt confident enough in his script to take his time and let us know where he was going. (Read full review).

*“The Rodeo Thief” is available to watch currently on Amazon Prime. The film will be available to watch on Tubi and available for purchase on DVD at Wal-Mart starting March 2, 2021. 

Honorable Mention—Alexei Slater, ‘Candice’ 

Best Director—Brett Bentman, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

As mentioned above, “The Rodeo Thief” was an achievement for Brett Bentman, and we’re happy to award him “Best Director” in addition to “Best Original Screenplay.” Bentman here has to juggle a number of elements—a wide cast of characters, tying these same characters together, and balancing a screenplay that required one part action and one part drama. Amidst this, Bentman directs a film that requires wearing many hats, the most stark his sliding actor Thom Hallum into a more lead role than he’s seen before. Amidst it all, Bentman is able to deliver a fun and engaging picture that sheds his prior “Copper Bill’s” by-the-numbers approach and hints at more things to come from the director. (Read: our interview with Brett Bentman).

Honorable Mention—George Watson, ‘Candice’ 

Best Supporting Actor—Dano Colón, ‘People with Issues’ 

For a film that started as a short, morphed into a web series, and then found itself as a full-length feature film, “People with Issues” is a romantic comedy that is great fun to watch. As an ensemble piece, it’s often hard to single out a best actor, but ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in this case goes handily to Dano Colón, who plays the cartoon-drawing Darren. He has an emotional layer to him, depth, and is great comic relief in the film. Additionally, he is hysterical in a realistic and relatable way with his hypochondriac nature. A solid film, made all the more watchable by the talent Colón brings to the table. (Read full review).

*”People with Issues” is available to watch on Amazon Prime. 

Honorable Mention—Sam Marra, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

Best Supporting Actress—Jen Drummond, ‘Amaranthine’ 

In the post-Apocalyptic world that is “Amaranthine,” there ran the risk of not having enough material for the actors to work with. Luckily, the addition of Jen Drummond, who plays the character Shayleigh, adds a bright spot to the movie and works off of lead actor and writer Marc Powers wonderfully. With only a few lines (the film is but 22 minutes in length), Drummond instills the positivity, hope, and light that Director Evan Schneider highlights splendidly. Short films can be tough—particularly ones where character development is hard to shove into a tight narrative—but here Drummond possesses a lovability and charm that is inescapable; the film wouldn’t be the same without her. 

Honorable Mention—Nadirah Shakir, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

Best Actor—Thom Hallum, ‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

Actor Thom Hallum has shown consistent and solid work in the indie community through three of Director Brett Bentman’s pictures; but here, in “The Rodeo Thief,” Hallum extends himself and presents an effort that stands above the rest. Here, Hallum (playing a man named Boone Carson) is tasked with not only heaps of dialogue, but a nearly impossible character arc: we’re to believe that he goes from a down-on-his-luck miscreant to a man who wants to do right for his family but can’t escape the only life he knows. But in-between this—seen best in his relationship with his mother and some old co-workers—Hallum builds a Boone Carson we can understand. This is truly Hallum’s foray into lead acting—and we can’t wait to see what he is up to next. 

Honorable Mention—David Bianchi, ‘Wade in the Water’ (Read full review) (Watch now)

Best Actress—Olivia Poulet, ‘Candice’ 

While “Candice” explores the relationship between strangers—namely the stereotypes we often have of anyone we pass on the street who gives us a sideways glance—the effort couldn’t have worked without stellar actors, and Olivia Poulet turns in a superb performance that makes the film as powerful as it is. Poulet must start out as a person afraid of a man she meets on the street, then, as she realizes he means her no harm and she really knows him, she must reconcile her stereotypes. “Candice” isn’t keen to brush off this realization and have them go on their merry way, but requires heavy lifting and vulnerability from its leads. Poulet makes us believe her emotions every step of the way, making the movie stick with you after the credits roll. 

Honorable Mention—Lily Waltman (as Katy Harris), ‘Copper Bill’ (Read full review).
*You can watch “Copper Bill” on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and is available for purchase at Wal-Mart. 

Best Full-Length Film—‘Eden’ 

The best pictures take real, often somber subjects and form them into a hand we can grasp and understand. Just as last year’s winner “Evergreen” let us into the lives of two people in the midst of a relationship crisis, this year’s recipient, “Eden,” directed by Robbie Walsh, lets us into the mind and experience of its protagonist, Adam (Johnny Elliot), a victim of the Dublin financial crash. The portrayal of Adam as a downtrodden specimen, but one who won’t give up, attempting to forge bonds with others he meets, is a high-point of the film. But the wider arc—of Adam longing for acceptance and kindness from strangers, but feeling often like a stray dog—push the film forward. “Eden” of course has an underlying commentary on caste and success; but its real achievements are its efforts to show the will to survive, and above all, hope. Buzz.ie reports that “Eden is set to be the single-most acclaimed Irish film of 2019.” Watching it, it’s not hard to disagree with that. (Read full review).

*You can watch “Eden” on Amazon Prime and FlixFling. It will also be getting a short U.S. cinema run at the NuVu Showhouse in Metalline Falls, Washington and a likely upcoming U.S. TV release. 

Honorable Mention—‘The Rodeo Thief’ 

‘The Movie Buff Choice Award’ (for outstanding achievement by a filmmaker in continued, quality indie content)—Alexei Slater 

With 22 wins and 19 film festival nominations, Producer/Writer/Director Alexei Slater has made an indelible mark on indie cinema. Slater has juggled genres, shifting from one to the next with ease, which is no easy feat for filmmakers—especially ones that focus heavily on shorts. But his films, even those geared toward comedy, have the tendency to borrow heavily from directors like Tom Shadyac, whose films have an emotional underbelly that leave a lasting impression. 

His latest-viewed film by this website, “Candice” took a hard look at misconceptions and stereotypes strangers have of one another, while “Great Dane,” from 2017, tackled dating in a modern world where in-person meets are extremely rare. “Ewww,” from 2017, was a spoof and wholly comedic film that makes you laugh heartily while also taking away points about the awkwardness of first dates and expectations on both sides. And “The Driving Seat,” which he produced in 2016, features dialogue and introspection far more emotional than the premise might allow. 

We laud Slater for his accomplishments in the field of indie cinema, and look forward to his continued success. He has a style all his own, evident in his passion and commitment, and has nowhere to go in the community but up. (Read our interview with Alexei Slater here).