2017 Best-in-Fest Winner:
Black & Blue, Directed by Simon TOlman

2017 Best-in-Fest Winners and Finalists

Best Narrative

Simon Tolman / Minneapolis Southwest High School / Black & Blue - WINNER
McKinley Carlin / Eagan High School / The Exchange
Simon Tolman / Minneapolis Southwest High School / Drivers Test

Best Documentary

Melissa Moua / IFP - Coon Rapids High School / Memories - WINNER
Savanna Thunder / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Standing Rock: An Insider's Perspective
Amal Flower Kay / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Artist Spotlight: Jake Johnston

Best Animation

Samantha Ballis / IFP Juice Media - Highland Park Senior High School / New Frontier - WINNER
Danielle Rogers / Perpich Center for Arts Education / My Hair
Hannah Martin / Mahtomedi High School / Square

Best Experimental

Jake Johnston / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Static - WINNER
Amal Flower Kay / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Nucleus
Simon Broan / Minneapolis Southwest High School / Alone

Best Cinematography

Simon Tolman / Minneapolis Southwest High School / Black & Blue - WINNER
Melissa Moua / IFP - Coon Rapids High School / Memories
McKinley Carlin / Eagan High School / The Exchang

Dakota Laden Award for Comedy

Simon Tolman / Minneapolis Southwest High School / Drivers Test - WINNER
Josh Zeien / Mahtomedi High School / Cheating Superheros
Peter Gosswiller / Home School / Snow Farmers

Twin Cities Black Film Festival: Emerging Filmmaker of Color

Melissa Moua / IFP - Coon Rapids High School / Memories - WINNER
Savanna Thunder / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Standing Rock: An Insider's Perspective
Yilan (Elanna) Tang / Benilde-St. Margaret's / Her Name

Minnesota Women in Film and Television: Emerging filmmaker

Savanna Thunder / Perpich Center for Arts Education / Standing Rock: An Insider's Perspective - WINNER
Alyssa Castillo / Gordon Parks High School / End The Cycle
Hannah Martin / Mahtomedi High School / Square
Joey Skare / Rosemount High School / From Justin
Lucy Bowman / Minneapolis Southwest High School / When I See You
Melissa Moua / IFP - Coon Rapids High School / Memories
Melanie Yang / The DIAL Group - Hmong College Prep Academy / Victim's Downfal
Kat St. Martin-Norburg / CTV North Suburbs - St. Paul Academy / The Third Place
Samantha Ballis / IFP Juice Media - Highland Park Senior High School / New Frontier
Yilan (Elanna) Tang / Benilde-St. Margaret's / Her Name