Alaskan Nettea documentary CEO, produced by Chris Pratt, focusing on the confluence of high school boys basketball and the culture of fishing on an indigenous reserve in remote Southeast Alaska, won the audience award at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
The 36th annual festival, which hosted a hybrid personal / virtual event starting on March 31, concludes today with the unveiling of the jury awards. Alaskan Nette, led by Jeff Harasimowicz, won the Audience Choice Award among a total of 11 categories represented.
“To say that we are delighted to win the Audience Choice Award would be a great understatement,” Harasimowicz said. ‘Seeing the film resonate with the public is a deeply humiliating experience. We are so honored to have had this special opportunity to share Alaskan Nette in Santa Barbara and I know it’s an experience my team, our families and the entire community of Metlakatla will never forget. In the words of Metlakatla’s mother tongue, ‘Wayi Wah! / Let’s go!’ ”
Related story
‘Alaskan Nets’ Trailer: Slam Dunks And Salmon Define Remote Community In Santa Barbara Film Festival Documentary EP’d By Chris Pratt
Other winners announced on Saturday include some wins Trees of Peace, Alanna Brown’s drama about four women from different backgrounds who create an indelible bond while hiding during the Rwandan genocide in 1994. It won the Spirit Award for Independent Cinema and the ADL Stand Up Award.
Jury members this year included Tony Anselmo, Antwone Fisher, David Freid, Li Cheng, Geoffrey Cowper, Patricia Rosema, Siqi Song, Mark Stafford, Rita Taggart, Paul Walter Hauser, Anthony and Arnette Zerbe. The audience award was scrapped from participants’ voices, both online and in person.
Here is the complete list of winners:
Audience Choice Award sponsored by The Santa Barbara Independent
Jeff Harasimowicz’s ALASKAN NETS
Documentary Short Film Award
Richard Reens’ PANT HOOT
Bruce Corwin Award – Live-Action Short Film
Christopher Oroza-Nostas’ SAVIOR
Bruce Corwin Award – Animated Short Film
Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson’s KAPAEMAHU
Documentary Award sponsored by SEE International
Nina Stefanka se MIRAGE (MIRAGGIO)
Jeffrey C. Barbakow Award – International Film
Nisan Dağ’s WHEN I AM SENT
Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinemas
Alanna Brown’s FREE BOMBS
Nueva Vision Award for Spain / Latin American Cinema
Eduardo Crespo’s WE WILL NEVER DIE
Valhalla Award for Best Nordic Film
Henrik Ruben Genz’s ERNA TO WAR (ERNA IN WAR)
Social Justice Award for Documentary Film
Michael Webber’s THE CONSERVATION GAME
The ADL Stand Up Award sponsored by ADL Santa Barbara / Tri-Counties, the Skinner Social Impact Fund, and Steve and Cindy Lyons
Alanna Brown’s PEACE TREES