Lake County Film Festival announces 2024 Award-Winners

The 2024 Lake County Film Festival was held from October 31st to November 3rd, and November 8th to 11th. Overall, we showed 28 feature films, and 87 short films, split into 20 programs. About 90 screenings were held at The College Of Lake County in Grayslake, IL, as well as three screenings were shown at The Gorton Center in Lake Forest, IL. At least 50 filmmakers attended the festival to participate in discussions after their film.

Narrative Feature Jury
Michael Rabehl, Film Programmer, Cinequest Film Festival
Marcus Gorman, Film Programmer, Seattle International Film Festival, Cleveland Film Festival, and more.
Tracey Adlai, Film Programmer, The Valley Film Festival

Best Narrative Feature: AJ Goes To The Dog Park by Toby Jones
Jury Statement: AJ Goes to the Dog Park represents the true nature of independent film. It is a high-concept, low-budget, DIY bit of wholly impressive cinema, and nothing could be closer to the mission of Lake County Film Festival than this very strange, very funny, and very unique film. – Marcus Gorman

Best Dramatic Feature: The Problem Of The Hero
Special Jury Award for Best International Feature: Fanti

Documentary Feature Jury
Mike White, author & podcaster, Cashiers du Cinemart, The Projection Booth
Charles Kirkland, Jr., Film Programmer, LightReel Film Festival
Dmytro Linsenbarth, Animator, Unnessary Things (LCFF 2021)

Best Documentary Feature: Resynator by Alison Tavel
Jury Statement: Alison Tavel’s documentary, Resynator, could easily have been a straightforward exploration of an obscure piece of equipment that never gained popularity. It might have consisted of an archival dive into the lives of musicians alongside discussions about circuits and soldering. However, what sets Resynator apart is Tavel’s quest not only for knowledge about a pioneering synthesizer but also for a connection to her late father.

Discovered years after Don Tavel’s passing in her grandmother’s attic, this unique prototype symbolizes not just a milestone in music technology but also the rich, unfinished narrative of an artist who was a visionary in his field. Resynator celebrates the transformative power of music while chronicling a daughter’s unwavering journey to comprehend her father’s legacy. The film honors the musical significance of Don Tavel’s invention while revitalizing his dream, resonating with anyone who has sought to unveil family secrets or understand their heritage.

One of the film’s standout achievements is its capacity to make this musical exploration feel both intimate and universal. Alison Tavel uses the synthesizer as a means to connect with her father’s essence. With the assistance of prominent musicians, including rock icons like Jon Anderson of Yes and Peter Gabriel, as well as artists like Fred Armisen, she uncovers the relevance of her father’s contributions and their importance for music lovers today.

What distinguishes Resynator is its skillful combination of technical detail and heartfelt emotion. Through personal reflections and rare interviews with groundbreaking musicians, Tavel highlights the Resynator’s significance in the music world, illustrating that her father’s synthesizer was not merely an eccentric invention but a meaningful advancement in the realm of music technology. – Mike White

Honorable Mention: Scream Of My Blood by Nate Pommer & Eric Weinrib
Jury Statement: The gypsy rock band Gogol Bordello has been the subject of a number of documentaries in the past. In Scream of My Blood viewers are given an exclusive look into not only the origin of the group and its enigmatic frontman, Ukranian immigrant, Eugene Hütz but the evolution of the band from its roots in the punk rock scene to its current world music leanings. Not only is the documentary insightful and informative but it also very timely considering the political climate towards immigration and the Ukranian war with Russia. In essence, the film is a celebration of life that acknowledges the uniting power of music which is why we the jury have selected Scream Of My Blood as an honorable mention . – Charles Kirkland, Jr.

Narrative Shorts Jury
Steve Young, writer, The Late Show With David Letterman, short films Photo Op & Brief Survey (LCFF 2021)
Leslie McCleave, Filmmaker, How Sweet The Sound — The Blind Boys Of Alabama
Jason Pankoke, Writer, C-U Confidential

Best Narrative Short Film: As Easy As Closing Your Eyes by Parker Croft
Jury Statement: With a provocative premise about grief and loss filtered through a pharma-based sci-fi lens, As Easy As Closing Your Eyes was the jury’s choice for Best Short Film. The cinematography, the acting, the writing, and the directing took us into an engrossing, twist-filled world that prompted us to reflect ‘what would I do?’ This film reverberated with us, and reminded us of the power of short films to take viewers on big journeys – Steve Young

Best Comedic Short: Super Real Super Grounded by Margaux Susi
For entertaining us with the recognizably absurd scenario of an actress trying to address impossible and contradictory notes which spiraled to hilarious heights (or depths).

Best Horror Short: Kombucha! by Jake Myers
The jury enjoyed both the psychological horror of soul-numbing corporate conformity and the visceral horror of the grisly transformation and well done effects.

Best Short Short: The Lure by Tony Hipwell
For impressing us with its neat symmetry and efficiency, which conveyed a satisfying and darkly humorous story in just eighty-eight seconds.

Best Ensemble Award: Night Session by Ballard C. Boyd
We were delighted by the droll performances and inspired interplay of the very talented cast which elevated this entertaining tongue-in-cheek comedy.

Most Moxie Award: Maggie’s Not Okay by Vance Smith
The jury cheered the main character’s transformation from mistreated employee and girlfriend to a woman who decides to take control of her life in a vivid and unexpected way.

Comfort Zone Award: Tina by Laura Sweeney
These the two characters’ poignant depictions of how human beings wrestle with the issues of identity and bias is thought provoking and ultimately powerful and touching.

Global Spirit Award: Unibrow by Nedda Sarshar
We were moved by this universal story of teenage awkwardness and ambivalence told through the particular lens of a cross-cultural immigrant experience.

Documentary Short Film Jury
Jane Julian, Film Programmer, Mountainfilm, Port Townsend Film Festival
Kat Albert, Film Programmer, Lake Travis Film Festival
Paige Swift, Film Programmer, Nature Now

Best Documentary Short Film: The Quilters by Jenifer McShane
Honorable Mention: Facing The Falls by Celia Aniskovich

Animation Short Film Jury

Thomas van Kampen, filmmaker, Mixed Signals (LCFF 2023 Award-Winner)
Dmytro Lisenbart, filmmaker, Unnessary Things (LCFF 2021)
Ron Fleischer, filmmaker, Lemmings (LCFF 2006), Sisyphus Rocks! (LCFF 2021)

Best Animated Short Film: Boat People by Thao Lam & Kjell Boersma

Student Short Film Jury
Adam Bertocci, filmmaker & writer, numerous LCFF short films, and Two Gentlemen Of Lebowski.
Chris Cooling, film teacher, film programmer, & podcaster, College Of Lake County
Josef Steiff, teacher & filmmaker, College Of Lake County & Emerald City (LCFF 2024)

The awards for both the best student narrative short film, and the best student documentary short film come with $250 cash prizes, sponsored by the College Of Lake County.

Jury Statement: We enjoyed both seeing and discussing this year’s slate of student films, and there were so many strong entries that the task of narrowing them down proved a challenge. Each juror had a personal favorite or two that may not have resonated with the others enough to take a prize, and we hope that serves as a reminder to students that good films are worth making to move someone out there, whatever else happens. – Adam Bertocci

Best Narrative Student Short Film: Ten Days by Anastasia Savinova
Jury Statement: Ten Days thoroughly impressed the jury in tackling a tough topic with grace, a superb control of tone, and a thoughtful use of what we see when and why.

Best Documentary Student Short Film: Engraved by Tiffany Jiang
Jury Statement: Engraved made for a fascinating triptych of perspectives on a subject we don’t always think about but that unifies us all.

Honorable Mention: Henry e Sue by Manuel Callsti
Jury Statement: Henry e Sue won a place in our hearts with its soulful mood and beautiful cinematography.