SXSW 2015: ‘Krisha,’ ‘Peace Officer’ Top Film Festival Jury and Special Awards

SXSW announced its 2015 Film Festival Jury and Special Awards winners on Tuesday, with top feature prizes going to Trey Edward Shults’ narrative “Krisha,” and Scott Christopherson and Brad Barber’s documentary “Peace Officer.”

In a ceremony held at Austin’s famed Paramount Theater, “Saturday Night Live” cast member and “Trainwreck” co-star Vanessa Bayer doled out honors.

“Krisha” follows a woman returning home for Thanksgiving after a 10 year absence. Her good intentions sour, transforming the movie into a “war film” by dinner’s end. “Peace Officer” tracks the real-life policeman who established his rural state’s first SWAT team only to see it kill his son-in-law 30 years later.

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Brothers Bill and Turner Ross nabbed the Louis Black Lone Star award for their documentary “Western,” about two small towns on the opposite sides of the Mexico-Texas border.

Notable winners also included Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan, billed under the moniker “Daniels,” who received a special jury recognition for helming the music video to rapper Lil Jon’s ubiquitous song “Turn Down For What.”

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The Audience Awards for SXSW 2015 will be announced on March 21.

Read the complete list of Jury and Special Award Winners below.

Feature Film Jury Awards

Narrative Feature Competition
Grand Jury Winner: “Krisha”
Director: Trey Edward Shults

Special Jury Recognition for Visual Excellence: “Creative Control”
Director: Benjamin Dickinson

Documentary Feature Competition
Grand Jury Winner: “Peace Officer”
Directors: Scott Christopherson, Brad Barber

Special Jury Recognition for Directing: “A Woman Like Me”
Directors: Alex Sichel, Elizabeth Giamatti

Special Jury Recognition for Editing: “Twinsters”
Directors: Samantha Futerman, Ryan Miyamoto

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Short Film Jury Awards

Narrative Shorts
Winner: “Pink Grapefruit”
Director: Michael Mohan

Special Jury Recognition: “Share”
Director: Pippa Bianco

Documentary Shorts
Winner: “Boxeadora”
Director: Meg Smaker

Midnight Shorts
Winner: “Kiss Kiss Fingerbang”
Director: Gillian Wallace Horvat

Animated Shorts
Winner: “World of Tomorrow”
Director: Don Hertzfeldt

Special Jury Recognition: “Teeth”
Directors: Daniel Gray, Tom Brown

Music Videos
Winner: Paolo Nutini – “Iron Sky”
Director: Daniel Wolfe

Special Jury Recognition: DJ Snake featuring Lil’ Jon – “Turn Down for What”
Director: Daniels

Texas Shorts
Winner: “The Samaritans”
Director: John Bryant

Texas High School Shorts
Winner: “It’s A Thing”
Directors: Meredith Morran, Sage McCommas

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SXSW Film Design Awards

Excellence in Poster Design
Winner: “Manson Family Vacation”
Designer: Yen Tan

Special Jury Recognition: “The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson”
Designer: Jonny Halifax

Excellence in Title Design
Winner: “Manhattan”
Designer: Dan Gregoras for Imaginary Forces

Special Jury Recognition: “The Fitzroy”
Designers: Chris Tozer, Marko Anstice

SXSW Special Awards
SXSW Gamechanger Award
Winner: Yvonne Kerekgyarto Free Entry

Louis Black “Lone Star” Award
Winner: “Western”
Directors: Bill Ross, Turner Ross

Karen Schmeer Film Editing Fellowship
Presented to: Anna Gustavi