Thank you to the local St. Louis filmmaking community for sharing their love of film for our 24th annual St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase. Throughout the festival, 64 films were screened, showcasing the incredible talents of local directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, actors, and more. Nearly 2,000 patrons attended the films, while 18 volunteers dedicated more than 100 service hours to the festival’s success.
The Closing Night Awards Party, sponsored by Capes Sokol, was hosted on Sunday, July 28th, and the following films were awarded top fest honors. In addition, Mayor Tishaura Jones‘ staff officially proclaimed July 28, 2024, as “St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase Day in the City of St. Louis.” The City also bestowed the first-ever Mayor’s Award for Best Student Film. The festival also presented a new award, the Filmmaker Community Award, to the individual who provides resources, support, and awareness to the achievements of the local filmmaking community. The Essy Award, funded by the Chellappa-Vedavalli Foundation – is a $500 prize given to both the Best Documentary Film and the Best Narrative Film.
The event’s other sponsors included Cheshire Hotel, City of St. Louis, EncoreNOW, Explore St. Louis, Grizzell & Co., International Institute of St. Louis, Joni Tackette Casting, Lindell Bank, MADCO Printing, Missouri Arts Council, Missouri Division of Tourism, Missouri Film Office, NOW Talent Management, Parker’s Table, Regional Arts Commission, St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission, St. Louis Film Office, St. Louis Public Radio, and Whitaker Foundation.
2024 St. Louis Filmmakers Award Winning Films:
Mayor’s Award – Best Student Film: THICKER THAN BLOOD, directed by Ava Farrar,
St. Louis Showcase Filmmaker Community Award: JESSICA AMBUEHL,
Essy Award – Best Documentary Film: CATCHING BULLETS, directed by Ben Scholle & Derrick Phillips,
Essy Award – Best Narrative Film: YOUR LAST WISHES, directed by Mason Beck,
Best Comedy Film: VERISIMILITUDE, directed by Keith Kennedy,
Best Horror Film: FLESH AND BLOOD, directed by Paul Lo Ve,
Best Animated Film: OUR LITTLE WORLDS, directed by Davy Stoces,
Best Experimental Film: SUBSTANCE OF VENOM, directed by Cherie Sampson,
Best Director: YOUR LAST WISHES, directed by Mason Beck,
Best Acting: JACKIE KELLY, Phantasmic,
Best Screenplay: US + ONE, directed by Andy Compton,
Best Cinematography: CARLOS MENDOZA, Garbage Man,
Films Moving On To SLIFF:
CATCHING BULLETS
FLESH AND BLOOD
OUR LITTLE WORLDS
PAINT IT BLACK
SUBSTANCE OF VENOM
SYLVIE WHO?
THICKER THAN BLOOD
US + ONE
VERISIMILITUDE
YOUR LAST WISHES