WACO, Texas — The annual Deep in the Heart Film Festival has come to a close but the true meaning behind bringing filmmakers to Waco was felt at Sunday's award ceremony, as tears of joy and excitement filled the room at the Art Center Waco.
Filmmakers sat on the edge of their seats as they announced the winners in various categories.
Congratulations to the 2022 Deep in the Heart Film Festival Award Winners
Genre Awards
Best Drama Short: Kalamiti
Best Horror/Thriller Short: Cutter
Best Documentary Short: Riding the Shadow
Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Short: Telos
Best Family Short: Nickels
Best Comedy Short: We All Die Alone
Best Music Video: Bones
Craft Awards
Best Director - Short: Vaishali Naik - 7 Star Dinosor Entertainment
Best Editing - Short: Dream Carriers
Best Cinematography - Short: Specter of Weeping Hill
Best Comedic Performance - Short: Joe Grisaffi - Joe Returns a Video
Best Performance - Dramatic Short: Rhona Rees - FREYA
Best Screenplay - Short: Cruise
Screenplay Contest - Best Script: The Audition
Screenplay Contest - Honorable Mention: Blood Spattered Pearls
Festival Awards
Best Texas - Short: First Impressions
Best United States - Short: Out of Tune
Best Student - Short: Saving Salvador
Best Foreign - Short: Kafkas
Special Jury Award: Ill Fated
Special Jury Award: Jettison
Special Jury Award: Man Seeking Man
Special Jury Award: Where the Winds Die
Best Short Film: Bainne
Audience Award - Short Film: The Tale of the Daughter
Feature Film Awards
Best Director: Micah Stathis - The Sisters Karras
Best Performance: Juliet Landau - A Place Among the Dead
Best Documentary Feature: One Pint at a Time
Best Feature Film: One Pint at a Time
Audience Award: One Pint at a Time
All of the films shown at the festival will be available to watch online from July 24- July 30. You can stream the films from your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Visit https://dithff22.eventive.org/films for more information and a full list of films.
Filmmaker Melissa Bronski shared what a big deal this is for her peers, a symbol "that you are heading in the right direction."
Local directors Savannah Sivert and Taylor Hinds shared their vision of bringing their art to Waco "plant roots" in Texas. A similar task by local community members as they strive to bring a voice to the voiceless.
Art center Waco Dough McDurham said the "Deep in the Heart Film Festival" brings "great opportunities" to Waco for films and much more.
To showcase across the world that Waco is made for movies.
For more information on the festival you can visit their website, https://www.deepintheheartff.com/