The 2023 VSF Short Film Showcase was a night to remember. With more than 200 moviegoers in attendance and seven outstanding short films written and produced by members of the Forum this year, VSF’s second annual showcase nearly filled the historic Ashland Theatre for an afternoon of film screenings, Q&As, and award presentations. Legendary casting director Erica Arvold (Dopesick, House of Cards, Black Adam) came to announce the winner of this year’s First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest, 36-time Emmy-winning director Jesse Vaughn (Juwanna Mann, Living in a Food Desert) announced the Audience Choice winner, and Swagger Executive Producer Joy Kecken recorded a special video appearance to announce her award selections for the films.
2023 VSF SHORT FILM SHOWCASE AWARD WINNERS:
Best Picture
Wisteria by Adam Lapallo
Best Director
Lucas Krost for Put Him Down
Best Screenplay
Brian Weakland for Handsy
Best Actress
Ashley Thompson for The Downline
Runners-up Seleste Cowie for Wisteria and Ramsey Hanchette for Put Him Down
Best Actor
KaVon Gitten for Disconnected
Runner-up Christopher Glick for Wisteria
Audience Choice
Disconnected by Robin Farmer
First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest Winner
Daredevil by Mark Andrew Ricche
Runner-up In Tarnation by Jenn Weatherly
Honorable Mention The Finish Line by Bob Eason
