September 10, 2019—The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) is pleased to announce the winners of its 2019 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in giant screen filmmaking, marketing, and lifelong learning. The awards were announced the evening of Tuesday, September 10, at the GSCA 2019 International Conference and Trade Show in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, during a ceremony held at the Victoria Conference Centre. 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:

Best Film-Short Subject

Superpower Dogs

Produced by Cosmic Picture
Directed by Daniel Ferguson
Produced by Taran Davies, George Duffield, Daniel Ferguson, Dominic Cunningham-Reid
Distributed by Cosmic Picture and IMAX

Best Film-Feature Length

Free Solo: The IMAX Experience

Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
Produced by Itinerant Films, Little Monster Films, National Geographic, and Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation

Best Film for Lifelong Learning

Apollo 11: First Steps Edition

Directed by Todd Douglas Miller
Produced by Statement Pictures
Distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films

Best Cinematography

Great Bear Rainforest

Cinematography by Ian McAllister and Jeff Turner
Produced by Spirit Bear Entertainment
Distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films

Best Sound Design

Apollo 11: First Steps Edition

Sound Designer Brian Eimer, ImagesInSound
Produced by Statement Pictures
Distributed by MacGillivray Freeman Films

Best Original Score

Superpower Dogs

Michel Cusson, Composer
Produced by Cosmic Picture
Distributed by Cosmic Picture and IMAX Corporation

Best Visual Effects

Superpower Dogs

Visual Effects by Rodeo FX, Visceral Image Productions, and Mels
Produced by Cosmic Picture
Distributed by Cosmic Picture and IMAX Corporation

Best Marketing Campaign by a Distributor

Superpower Dogs
Cosmic Picture and IMAX Corporation

Best Film Launch by a Theater (tie)

• Omniversum, The Netherlands, Marketing Campaign for Pandas
• Telus World of Science-Edmonton, Marketing Campaign for Superpower Dogs

Best Educational Program

Carnegie Science Center, Summer of Space Program Featuring Apollo 11: First Steps Edition

Big Idea (tie)

Given for a significantly innovative and impactful idea from a marketing campaign or educational program

• SK Films, Volcanoes 3D Printer Templates
• Mishkat Interactive Center for Atomic and Renewable Energy The Last Drop Programming

Big Shoe

Selected by GSCA staff to recognize exemplary volunteers

Mike Lutz, Evans & Sutherland

Special Recognition

GSCA recognized Valentine Kass, who is retiring as Program Director at the U.S. National Science Foundation in the Advancing Informal STEM Learning division. Throughout her long career in the giant screen industry, her dedication to education and lifelong learning, and the ability of the giant screen experience to provide that, has had a profound effect on the industry. 

 

IMAX Corporation also presented the following Maximum Image Awards at the GSCA Achievement Awards ceremony. 

IMAX Hall of Fame  (tie)

Voted by the IMAX theater networking and honors a giant screen film that is at least 10 years old.

• Hail Columbia!
• Africa: The Serengeti

Best IMAX Booth (tie)

• IMAX Victoria in the Royal BC Museum
• Odeon BFI IMAX

Honorable Mentions:

• Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX Theatre at the Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Canada
• Cineworld Sheffield & IMAX, Sheffield, U
• Fuzhou Great Town, Omnijoi & IMAX, China

Chief Quality Officer Award of Distinction

Todd Douglas Miller, Producer, Director and Editor of Apollo 11: First Steps Edition

 

The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) is hosting its annual International Conference and Trade Show in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, on September 10-12, 2019 at the IMAX Victoria in the Royal BC Museum, the Fairmont Empress Hotel, and the Victoria Conference Centre. Dome Day is September 13 at Science World in Vancouver. The GSCA conference is the premier gathering of educational giant screen and immersive cinema professionals and features film screenings, professional development sessions, technical session, trade show, and the annual GSCA Achievement Awards. Attendees include filmmakers and film distributors, museums and science centres, manufacturers, and other industry providers. https://www.giantscreencinema.com/Events/2019-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 nearly 250 organizations in over 20 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.