Ready the confetti and cue the soaring soundtrack.

Top-notch features, flawless docs, and sublime shorts: The winners of the 2020 Port Townsend Film Festival jury awards were announced Sunday, a sterling selection of titles boasting an array of subjects and styles.

Accolades were given for Best Narrative Feature, Best Comedy Feature, Best Documentary Feature, as well as a Special Jury Commendation prize in the full-length category, and similar awards bestowed in both the “short documentary” and “short feature” categories.

Also announced were the winners of the “Spirit of the PTFF” and “Jim Ewing Young Director” awards.

The 2020 Port Townsend  Film Festival jury award winners

The Spirit of Port Townsend
Film Festival Award
John “JJ” James, director or “Siempre, Luis”

Said the jury: “This year we present The Spirit of PTFF Award to John James, director of ‘Siempre Luis,’ capturing the amazing journey of Luis Miranda. John James introduces us to the real person, helps us feel like Luis is our friend also — that crazy, bossy friend that has way too many good ideas! JJ’s ability to crouch in the back seat or the front seat invites us along for the ride. And we get to peak behind the scenes at Hamilton, Puerto Rico-style. Inspiring, touching and broad in scope, JJ manages to bring us into the complexity of Puerto Rican politics, urging our audience to be a part of the democratic process and embrace our families. JJ encouraged us to keep trying to secure the film, even as he was negotiating with HBO, speaking on our behalf. Thank you John James, your film is a great gift from a gifted new director!”

The Jim Ewing Young Director Award
Alyssa Bolsey, director of
“Beyond the Bolex”

“What really struck us about this film, is the excellent telling of several stories in one: not only a documentary about a technical advancement in the craft of filmmaking, but also a thoughtful telling of a full life lived by a complicated man, and framed by Alyssa’s personal journey of discovery fueled by intellectual and emotional curiosity about her family’s past. The blend of Jacques’ footage, documents, and photographs, as well as dramatic readings of his personal journals interwoven with modern interviews and historical footage, was crafted expertly to create a nuanced, complex, beautiful film.”

Best Narrative Feature
“The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain,” directed by David Midell

“Beyond its timely subject matter and call for justice, ‘The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain’ was the unanimous top jury selection featuring a tour de force performance by Frankie Faison and a risky, yet effective choice in telling the story in real time.”

Best Comedy Feature
“The Outside Story,” directed by Casimir Nozkowski

“What stands out most in ‘The Outside Story’ are the charming performances from Brian Tyree Henry and the entire ensemble cast — writer/director Casimir Nozkowski uses a gentle touch to examine big themes of love, loss and death through one man’s day locked out of his apartment.”

Best Documentary Feature
“Mayor,” directed by
David Osit

“‘Mayor’ is masterful in its approach, using cinema verite to reveal a unique perspective of the daily challenges of the Palestinian people and its governing body.  Brilliantly conceived and executed, it combines great storytelling with exceptional documentary filmmaking. The film remains entertaining even with the enduring difficulties presented.  A film that is a must-see for both its profound message and exquisite technique.”

Special Jury Commendation
“Public Trust,” directed by David Garrett Byars

For its “impactful filmmaking and critically timed message on U.S. public land preservation,” the film festival’s Short Doc jury awarded a Special Jury Commendation to “Public Trust.”

Best Short Documentary
“Eddy’s World,” directed by Lyn Goldfarb

“The winner of the Port Townsend Film Festival Best Short Documentary award goes to a charming biographical movie,” the jury said. “It’s about a 97-year old wildly creative personality — the still-active inventor of the ‘Chattering Teeth’ and other iconic toys which helped define childhoods of the 20th Century. Beautiful photography, clever graphics and original music takes us on a nostalgic journey through ‘Eddy’s World’!”

Short Documentary Special Jury Commendation
“The Lost Astronaut,” directed by Ben Proudfoot

“The PTFF Short Documentary Jury would like to recognize an extraordinary documentary that tells a true story that was lost and untold until now. And right now it resonates loud and strong not only with the injustice it reveals, but also the hope and resilience of its subject. In 13 minutes with moving archival footage, wonderful editing, beautiful cinematography and best of all interviews with the subject himself, Ed Dwight Jr., we are pleased to award a PTFF 2020 Special Jury Commendation to ‘The Lost Astronaut.’ This film will not be forgotten.”

Short Documentary Special Jury Commendation
“The Magic of Chess,” directed by Jenny Schweitzer Bell

“The short documentary jury felt that one film deserved a special award this year,” officials said. “In just under five minutes, this film manages to tell a deeply endearing, humorous story about the love that children have for a game that is believed to be more than 14 centuries old. The director wove together unique access verite with some amazingly candid, humorous, and off-the-cuff interviews with children to provide a glimpse into the competitive world of youth chess.”

Best Short Narrative
“Feeling Through,” directed by Doug Roland

“Feeling Through stood out as a beautifully crafted film,” officials said. “It was a simple story very cleverly told. The relationship between the two characters was effortless and we constantly wanted to know where we were being taken. It would have been very easy to overplay the parallels of the two men’s lives. But instead writer and director Doug Roland respected his audience and allowed us to piece things together ourselves.”

Short Narrative Special Jury Commendation - Best Actor
“Feeling Through,” Steven Prescod and Robert Tarango

“The Narrative Shorts Jury recognized a tie for Best Actor for the two actors in ‘Feeling Through,’” officials said. “The two leads were just perfect — hence the award for both of them ... Prescod and Tarango were outstanding.”

Short Narrative Special Jury Commendation - Comedic Short
“Burqa City,” directed by Fabrice Bracq

“Losing one’s wife at the market seems like a somewhat limited setup for a comedy short. Unless of course you’re living in an extremely conservative Muslim village and your wife is wearing a Burqa — just like everyone else’s wife. This revelatory, brilliant satire has us join the sweet hapless Soleyman as he tries to track down his beautiful new wife Leila. In this dystopian landscape full of men following strict societal rules whose nonsensical logic bizarrely lends itself to an absurdist humor that French writer/director Fabrice Bracq mines with aplomb. If comedy is tragedy plus time, ‘Burqa City’ is a millisecond ahead of a real world situation and the laughs astonish and delight. Every performance in this not-to-be-missed short film is infused with heartfelt, hilarious portrayals of spice sellers, cops, innocent bystanders and runaway wives. The tone is magnificently grounded in Omar Mebrouk’s performance of Souleyman and cinematographer Philippe Brelot beautiful and fluid reveals.”