September 22, 2018—The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2018 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in giant screen filmmaking, marketing, and lifelong learning. The awards were announced the evening of Friday, September 21, at the GSCA 2018 International Conference and Trade Show in Chattanooga, Tennessee, during a ceremony held at the Westin hotel. IMAX Corporation, sponsor of the awards gala, presented the IMAX Maximum Image Awards during the ceremony as well.
The following awards were presented by GSCA:
Outstanding Achievement Award
- Toni Myers
- Jonathan Barker
Toni is a visionary and pioneering filmmaker who has graced the giant screen cinema industry since its beginning as editor, writer, producer, and director. Jonathan Barker was a world leader in 3D film production and distribution, specializing in IMAX/giant screen films that combine human drama and natural history discoveries. Read more about their industry contributions in the press release announcing their selection as the award recipients.
Best Film-Short Subject
Backyard Wilderness
Susan Todd, Producer/Director
Andrew Young, Producer/Director
Jonathan Barker, Executive Producer
Sean B. Carroll, Executive Producer
Stephen Apkon, Executive Producer
Produced by Arise Media and Archipelago Films
Distributed by SK Films
Best Film-Feature Length
Dunkirk: The IMAX Experience
Christopher Nolan, Director
Produced by Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, Syncopy, Warner Bros.
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Best Film for Lifelong Learning
Backyard Wilderness
Susan Todd, Producer/Director
Andrew Young, Producer/Director
Jonathan Barker, Executive Producer
Sean B. Carroll, Executive Producer
Stephen Apkon, Executive Producer
Produced by Arise Media and Archipelago Films
Distributed by SK Films
Best Cinematography
Backyard Wilderness
Andrew Young, Director of Photography/Cinematography
Michael Male, Cinematography
Produced by Arise Media and Archipelago Films
Distributed by SK Films
Best Sound Design
America’s Musical Journey
Andrew DeCristofaro, Supervising Sound Editor
Produced and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films
Best Original Score
America’s Musical Journey
Steve Wood, Composer
Produced and distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films
Best Visual Effects
Backyard Wilderness
Lincoln Athas, Southbay, The Molecule, Machineyes, A Precess Media Division
Produced by Arise Media and Archipelago Films
Distributed by SK Films
Best Theater Marketing Campaign
IMAX Melbourne, Australia, “20 Years of IMAX” Campaign
Best Marketing Campaign by a Distributor
Pandas, IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros.
Best Film Launch by a Theater
IMAX Victoria in the Royal BC Museum, America’s Musical Journey
Best Educational Program
Discovery Place, Charlotte, North Carolina, “The Year of the Engineer” Program
Big Idea (tie)
Given for the most original and effective idea of a single marketing promotional idea, publicity stunt, or unusual marketing activity.
- IMAX Melbourne, Australia, Sichuan Airlines Partnership for Pandas
- Backyard Wilderness campaign, “It’s not just a film—it’s a movement.”
Big Shoe
Selected by GSCA staff to recognize exemplary volunteers.
Andrew Oran and the team at FotoKem
IMAX Corporation also presented the following Maximum Image Awards at the GSCA Achievement Awards ceremony.
Hall of Fame
Bugs! 3D
Voted by the IMAX theater networking and honors a giant screen film that is at least 10 years old.
Best IMAX Booth
- Cineworld Broughton and IMAX, Broughton, UK
- Hollywood Megaplex Plus City & IMAX, Pasching, Austria
- Zhejiang Wandi & IMAX, Lishui, China
Honorable Mentions:
- 360 Kuwait & IMAX, Kuwait City, KW
- Cineworld Sheffield & IMAX, Sheffield, UK
- Kinepolis Brussels & IMAX, Brussels, BE
Chief Quality Officer Award of Distinction
David Booty, IMAX Melbourne
IMAX also presented a special tribute to David Keighley, IMAX Chief Quality Guru and President Emeritus, and Patricia Keighley, IMAX Chief Quality Guru, for more than 45 years of groundbreaking experience in presentation excellence and strategic development.
The GSCA International Conference and Trade Show is the premier gathering of educational giant screen and immersive cinema professionals. The 2018 event will be held on September 21-23 at the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with Dome Day on September 24 at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The conference will feature new films, films in production, projects in development, professional development sessions, a technical session, trade show, and the GSCA Achievement Awards. Conference registration and other event details are available at http://www.giantscreencinema.com/Events/2018-Conference.
About GSCA
The Giant Screen Cinema Association's mission is to facilitate communication, information sharing, and the development of best practices to support the production and exhibition of original, high-quality, educational, and entertaining giant screen cinema experiences. GSCA's membership includes more than 260 organizations in nearly 30 countries. Member organizations include giant screen filmmakers, distributors, theaters, suppliers, manufacturers, and students from around the world. Visit www.giantscreencinema.com for further information. Connect with GSCA on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/giantscreencinema) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/gsca). Questions about the GSCA or the conference should be directed to Tammy Seldon at tammy@giantscreencinema.com.
