San Francisco International Film Festival's Award Winners

San Francisco opened its Golden Gates to intense meditation and implied criticism with a screening of “The Bridge” in this year’s SF International. But its annual Golden Gate Awards show on Wednesday night was all about celebrating the City, with makers of films short, long, animated, live-action, digi, and docu finding a kind word or two to say on location. Did the cash prizes and bonus equipment that went along with some of these awards help improve the mood? Undoubtedly, but many of the winners found their inspiration in the City even before they hit the podium. Ying Liang, who left with the $10,000 SKYY Prize for first-time feature filmmaking (“Taking Father Home”), said he was moved to write a screenplay for his next film over the past few days in San Francisco. G.G. Award-winner Stanley Nelson (“Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple”) recalled that he came to the Bay Area to make this movie, but liked it so much he decided not to leave. And Ryan Fleck, who was surprised to take home the FIPRESCI award he didn’t quite realize he was nominated for from a jury of international critics (for “Half Nelson,” a film that time-warps various iconic Bay Area incidents into its storyline), made sure to give credit to Berkeley, where he was born. What follows is the complete list of the winners.

1. SKYY Prize, First Narrative Feature: “Taking Father Home,” Ying Liang (China, 2005); awarded $10,000

2. FIPRESCI Prize: “Half Nelson,” Ryan Fleck (USA, 2005)

3. Golden Gate Award, Documentary Feature: “Workingman’s Death,” Michael Glawogger (Austria, 2005); awarded $5,000 cash prize and Production Suite courtesy of Apple

4. Golden Gate Award, Bay Area Documentary Feature: “Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple,” Stanley Nelson (USA, 2006); awarded $2,500 cash prize and $2,000 worth of lab services from Alpha Cine Seattle Labs

5. Golden Gate Award, Documentary Short: “lot 63 grave c,” Sam Green (USA, 2006); awarded $1,500 cash prize and $1,700 gift certificate courtesy of Kodak

6. Golden Gate Award, Bay Area Documentary Short: “Phoenix Dance,” Karina Epperlein (USA, 2006); awarded $1,500 cash prize and $1,700 gift certificate courtesy of Kodak

7. Golden Gate Award, New Visions: “site specific_LAS VEGAS 05,” Olivo Barbieri (Canada/Italy, 2005); awarded $1,500 cash prize

8. Golden Gate Award, Narrative Short: “ Love at 4 pm,” Sebastian Alfie (Spain, 2005); awarded $1,500 cash prize

9. Golden Gate Award, Bay Area non-documentary short: “Lost & Found,” Natalija Vekic (USA, 2006); awarded $1,500 cash prize

10. Golden Gate Award, Animated Short: “At the Quinte Hotel,” Bruce Alcock (Canada, 2005); awarded $1,500 cash prize

11. Golden Gate Award, Youth Work: “Slip of the Tongue,” Karen Lum (USA, 2005); awarded $1,000 cash prize and a JVC digital video camera courtesy of a generous SFFS member

12. Golden Gate Award, Work for Kids and Families: “Sirah,” Cristine Spindler (USA, 2005); awarded $1,000 cash prize

13. Golden Gate Award, Television Narrative Long Form: “Seeds of Doubt,” Samir Nasr (Germany, 2005)

14. Golden Gate Award, Television Narrative Short Form: “Bing Can Sing,” Elanna Allen (USA, 2005)

15. Golden Gate Award, Television Documentary Long Form: “They Chose China,” Shui-Bo Wang (Canada/France, 2005)

16. Golden Gate Award, Television Documentary Short Form, “Thornton Dial,” Celia Carey (USA, 2005)