Mapplethorpe and Wild Nights with Emily are Big QFilm Award Winners

Matt Smith is Mapplethorpe. Photo courtesy Goldwyn Films

Mapplethorpe, an eye-opening look at the life of controversial gay photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, and Wild Nights with Emily, an irreverent exploration of the famous poet Emily Dickinson, were multiple award winners at last weekend’s 25th anniversary QFilm Festival in Long Beach.

The narrative features, documentaries and short films presented at Qfilms aim to embody the rich diversity and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities, with many pictures making their Long Beach, California, or West Coast premieres. Proceeds benefit Long Beach’s LGBTQ Center.

Filmmakers actually learned they were winners of jury and/or audience awards at their respective screenings, according to Chris Carpenter, co-producer of 2018 Qfilms.

Molly Shannon and Susan Ziegler in Wild Nights with Emily. Courtesy P2 Films

Mapplethorpe, whose titular character is portrayed by the supremely talented Matt Smith of Dr. Who and The Crown fame, led the pack with three awards, while Wild Nights with Emily, which had Saturday Night Live alumn Molly Shannon in the title role, grabbed two honors.

The envelopes, puh-leeze …

JURY AWARD WINNERS

Best Narrative Feature
Wild Nights with Emily

Man Made courtesy Roadside Entertainment

Best Documentary Feature
Man Made

Best Director, Feature
Ondi Timoner (Mapplethorpe)

Best Screenplay, Feature
Madeleine Olnek (Wild Nights with Emily)

Best Short Film
Marguerite

Best Director, Short Film
Abraham “AB” Troen (Finding Home)

Best Screenplay, Short Film
Ben Okrent (Edmund the Magnificent)

AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS

Best Feature Film
Mapplethorpe

Transmilitary courtesy TransMilitary LLC

Best Documentary
Transmilitary

Click here to read about other films and parties that were held during the Qfilms’ milestone year.

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