Emily Kassie and Julian Brave NoiseCat’s documentary Sugarcane won the top prize for nonfiction at the 26th Sarasota Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of the abuse and deaths of Indigenous children at a Canadian residential school.
It premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it also won an award for directing. National Geographic Documentary Films acquired the rights to the film in February.
The jury, which included producer Wren Arthur, Christian Blauvelt from Indiewire, Eric Deggans from NPR, and Jaie Laplante from DOC NYC, praised Sugarcane for its bravery in addressing the legacy of trauma from the abuse at St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School in British Columbia. They appreciated how the filmmakers balanced historical truths with intimate moments, while still honoring the community’s culture.
Another documentary, Porcelain War by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontyev, received a special mention from the jury. This film portrays Ukrainian artists who became soldiers and premiered at Sundance,
where it won a grand jury prize. Luther: Never Too Much, another Sundance documentary, won the audience award at the Sarasota Film Festival.
In the narrative category, Thelma, directed by Josh Margolin, took home the jury prize. The film follows the journey of a 93-year-old woman seeking justice after falling victim to a phone scam.
The jury appreciated how Thelma celebrated age and family, with standout performances from June Squibb and Richard Roundtree.
The Independent Visions award, recognizing emerging filmmakers, went to Arthur Egel’s Art Thief. Other awards included best narrative short for Shawn Butcher’s Lessons and best documentary short for Alex Hedison’s ALOK.
Sundance Films Take Top Prizes at 26th Annual Sarasota Film Festival https://t.co/5rW0BnmXza
— Variety (@Variety) April 15, 2024
The festival concluded with a screening of The Listener, directed by Steve Buscemi and produced by Buscemi and Wren Arthur. Mark Famiglio,
President and Chairman of the Board for the Sarasota Film Festival, expressed pride in showcasing diverse and inspiring films, hoping to inspire young creatives in the community. Source
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