Keep The Lights On Takes Outfest Jury Nod; Mosquita Y Mari Wins Audience Award

Ira Sachs' Keep The Lights On won the the Grand Jury Award for Best U.S. Dramatic Feature as well as the prize for Screenwriting, capping the 30th Outfest, the Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival. Starring Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth, the film centers on doc filmmaker Erik Rothman who meets Paul Lucy a handsome but closeted lawyer in the publishing field. What begins as a highly charged first encounter soon becomes something much more, and a relationship quickly develops. As the two men start building a home and life together, each continues to privately battle their own compulsions and addictions.

In other juried nods, Alan Cumming won the best actor award for Any Day Now, while Fenessa Pineda won for her role in Mosquita & Mari. The film also won the Audience Award for Outstanding First U.S. Dramatic Feature Film. The Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Feature Film went to Any Day Now, directed by Travis Fine.

30th Outfest Prize Winners

Jury Awards:

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film
Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios
The Devotion Project: More Than Ever , Directed by Antony Osso.

For its sensitive portrayal of enduring love that spans seven decades, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film goes to The Devotion Project: More Than Ever directed by Antony Osso.

Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film
Sponsored by CRE – Computer Rentals & AV Solutions
Dol (First Birthday), Directed Andrew Ahn

For its honest exploration of the complexities of culture, family and relationships, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film to Dol (First Birthday), directed by Andrew Ahn.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film
Sponsored by Avalon
Wildness, Directed by Wu Tsang

With beautiful cinematography, a vibrant score and poetic storytelling, this year’s winning documentary succeeded in taking on the complexities of class, culture and difference in a most timely and brave fashion. The Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film goes to Wildness, directed by Wu Tsang.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film
Sponsored by The Los Angeles Athletic Club
My Brother The Devil, Directed by Sally El Hosaini

For its taut narrative, sensitive interrogation of masculinity, excellent performances by an ensemble cast, and intense cinematic experience, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding International Dramatic Feature Film goes to My Brother The Devil, directed by Sally El Hosaini.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film
Sponsored by The Avenue Hollywood
Fenessa Pineda, Mosquita Y Mari
 

This actress brought nuance and subtlety to a fresh coming of age story. For beautifully capturing the fleeting moments of transition from innocence to curiosity to self-discovery, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actress in a Feature Film goes to Fenessa Pineda in Mosquita Y Mari.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film
Alan Cumming, Any Day Now

For bringing depth, humor, fierce wit, and emotional integrity to a moving portrait of a man who unexpectedly finds a family and the strength to fight for it, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Actor in a Feature Film goes to Alan Cumming in Any Day Now.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Screenwriting
Sponsored by Yellow Cab
Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias, Keep The Lights On

For masterfully constructing an emotionally honest portrait of a relationship that spans the better part of a decade and artfully weaving the mundane and the momentous, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding Screenwriting goes to Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias for Keep The Lights On.

 
Grand Jury Award for Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film
Sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue
Keep The Lights On, Directed by Ira Sachs
 

This film resonated with us for its confidence, complexity, and emotional intelligence. For taking us on a challenging but poetic journey through the landscape of a long-term relationship, the Outfest 2012 Grand Jury Award for Outstanding U.S. Dramatic Feature Film goes to Keep The Lights On, directed by Ira Sachs.

Audience Awards

Audience Award for Outstanding Documentary Short Film
Sponsored by Ramada Plaza Hotel West Hollywood
A Force of Nature, Directed by Barbara Kopple
 
Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Short Film
Sponsored by Wolfe Video
The First Date, Directed by Janella Lacson
 
Audience Award for Outstanding Documentary Feature Film
Sponsored by Greenhouse Studios
I Stand Corrected Directed by Andrea Meyerson
 
Audience Award for Outstanding Dramatic Feature Film
Sponsored by Innovative Artists
Any Day Now, Directed by Travis Fine
 
Audience Award for Outstanding First U.S. Dramatic Feature Film
Sponsored by HBO (cash prize of $5,000 from HBO)
Mosquita Y Mari, Directed by Aurora Guerrero