The inaugural MidWest WeirdFest has wrapped at the Micon Downtown Cinema in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The festival provided enthusiastic audiences a cinematic smorgasbord of all things fantastic, frightening, offbeat, and just plain weird. Today, MidWest WeirdFest announces the winning films of the inaugural event.
"It was an honor just to play alongside so many innovative and inspiring films. This recognition is truly humbling and really means a lot to everyone involved with VORE KING, particularly because no other festivals in Wisconsin had the guts to program the film”, said Daniel Schneidkraut, director of VORE KING the winner of the festival's “Best Documentary” award. “We are eternally grateful to Midwest WeirdFest for their guts, and to the attendees/filmmakers for their testicular/ovicular fortitude! Long live The King of Vore Raymond P. Whalen!”
Louie Gibson, who co-wrote and co-directed HAPPY HUNTING with Joe Dietsch, said: “It's an honor to be awarded “Best Film” at the inaugural Midwest WeirdFest. Can't wait for next year. Stay Weird!”
“That my style of life-size, stop-motion in IT GROWS DARK would receive 'Best Animation' accolades from MidWest WeirdFest is both exciting and humbling”, said director and animator Benjamin Capps. “The festival brought together an astounding gamut of eclectic films and filmmakers, from whom I am drawing much inspiration for my ongoing work.”
A complete list of the winning films follows:
Best Film: HAPPY HUNTING (Dir: Joe Dietsch & Louie Gibson)
Best Documentary: VORE KING (Dir: Daniel Schneidkraut)
Best Short Film: GWILLIAM (Dir: Brian Lonano)
Best Animation: IT GROWS DARK (Dir. Benjamin Capps)
Best Web or TV Content: HOOKED (Dir: Luca Vecchi)
Best Music Video: MY ETERNITY - CHRYSALIS (Dir: Jonathan Martin)
Raymond P. Whalen star of "Best Documentary" winner VORE KING greets the audience at MidWest WeirdFest!