Alexandria Film Festival 2021 Winners Announced

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Award winners for the Alexandria Film Festival were announced at the end of the festival Sunday.

A virtual closing ceremony was held to announce award winners and thank sponsors. The festival, which draws movie lovers from around the region to see the debut of independent films, was held virtually from Nov. 11 through Dec. 10. Attendees could see films any time during the festival dates with an all-festival pass or individually with showcase tickets.

The festival's Audience Award was determined through the audience voting for their favorite film, while the Alexandria Film Festival Executive Committee decided others — Best of Fest, Special Jury, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Regional Film.

The Audience Award went to "From the Hood to the Holler" a documentary spotlighting the 2020 senatorial campaign of Charles Booker by director Pat McGee. In virtual remarks, McGee noted the film didn't simply document Booker's story but the movement behind his campaign. McGee previously won an Alexandria Film Festival award for the 2018 film "American Relapse."

"It's festivals like these that give us filmmakers that platform to share these important films," said McGee.

The festival's The Best Foreign Language Film Award went to director Maria Brendle for "Ala Kachuu – Take and Run," a film about a young Kyrgyz woman kidnapped and forced into marriage. In remarks, Brendle noted the film is based on true events.

The Special Jury Award was presented to Director Paula van der Oest for the romantic comedy "Love in a Bottle," which follows two people who begin a love affair via Facetime during the pandemic. Filmed in two locations, the characters were kept apart during filming until final scenes. The director is Van der Oest, an Oscar-nominated director for the film "Zus and Zo."

The Joe Cantwell Prize for Documentary Excellence was presented by documentarian Joe Cantwell to "Open Field." The film follows girls and women who followed their dreams to play professional football, including main character Sami Grisafe, quarterback for Team USA.

The Best Regional Film went to "Tower Road Bus," a documentary set in Prince George's County, Maryland following the experiences of African Americans and educators placed in all-white schools in the 1970s. This was the second time director Michael Streissguth participated in the festival. The other film had been "Nighthawks on the Blue Highway" about a DC-based blues band.

"The film is set in Prince George's County, Maryland, dealing with the issue of school busing, racial integration in public schools just across the Potomac River from Alexandria. So it truly was like bringing it home," said Streissguth in remarks.

The festival's top award, Best of Fest, went to "I’m Fine, Thanks for Asking," a film about a widowed, homeless, single mother to an 8-year-old daughter. The mother works multiple jobs to get a roof back over their heads. The co-directors are Howard University graduate Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina.

Kali and Molina recognized the other films, particularly those featured in the closing ceremony. They also recognized Alexandria Film Festival for giving a platform to filmmakers, especially on the topic of homelessness.

"It's an honor to be honored amongst them, and we are also honored to be a part of the Alexandria family," said Kali.

Each November, the Alexandria Film Festival draws independent filmmakers and movie lovers to Alexandria for the debut of films from around the world. The festival was held virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

See more information and winners at alexfilmfest.com.