Oneota Film Festival announces its list of favorite 2015 films

Oneota Film Festival has announced its 2015 juried award winners as well as its members choice award winners.

The awards panel included Luther College assistant professor of English Andrew Hageman, Elmhurst College assistant professor of Spanish Valentina Velazquez-Zvierkova and Aurora University assistant professor of English Bridgitte Barclay.  They chose "Leave to Remain" as the Walter Ordway Best of Fest Award winner.  The coming-of-age drama about three teenagers who seek asylum in the United Kingdom wins a $500 cash award.

Honorable mention honors were given to the short documentary "Ironhead," which follows Decorah native Kelly Ludeking before, during, and after his "Down on the Farm Iron Pour," a gathering of artists working together to pass on the tradition of cast iron art.   Jaime Giraldo took home the Best Student Submission Award and its accompanying $100 prize for his short animated film "Religiatio."

The Members' Choice Award went to "Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony," which celebrates the impact Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 has had on people of vastly different cultures and backgrounds.

Honorable mention honors were given to "An Honest Liar," directed by Tyler Measom and Justin Weinstein; "The Overnighters," directed by Jesse Moss; "The Trouble with Bread," directed by Maggie Beidelman; and "Trash Dance," directed by Andrew Garrison.