2022 Award Winners

Best in Fest:
For the outstanding demonstration of the art of filmmaking

John - The Last Cowboy
Directed By Frode Fimland

(Norway)
92-year-old John Hoiland runs his huge ranch in Montana all by himself. The son of a Norwegian immigrant, he has been raised to work hard and save his dollars for a rainy day. Through the years, people have offered him big money for his land. But life on the ranch is the only life he wants, and he finds great joy in the nature surrounding him, the freedom to work on his own land, and daily conversations with his best friend Jim.
John – The Last Cowboy is a poetic tribute to the simple life, a peaceful escape from fast-paced modern society, and a subtle reminder of what is lost.

The Al Milgrom Award for Perseverance
For exhibiting the qualities of tenacity, perseverance, and determination in media production

Andrew Hunt

In 2007, Pittsburgh native, Minneapolis-based writer Director Andrew Hunt was selected by Steven Spielberg to be a contestant on the Fox Reality series, “On The Lot.” He placed top six out of 12,000 filmmakers. For the next 15 years, Andrew worked and prepped for his goal to become a major motion picture writer and director. This meant reality TV, corporate gigs, teaching, and a string of short films that defined his voice and developed his craft. And in 2021, Andrew started production on a Paramount Picture starring Guy Pearce, Alice Eve, Alex Pettyfer, and Jeremy Davies.

Infernal Machine premiered on opening night at DSFilmFest. Andrew is working on his next major motion picture, shooting in Australia in 2023.

Northern Voices:
For the film that represents the values of the festival while skilfully demonstrating that art can be a vehicle for change

Seeds of Life
Directed by Paige McKena Grube

A passionate Hmong community leader helps refugee families navigate the COVID pandemic while planting seeds for a hopeful future.

From Page: “I just wanted to say THANK YOU for the beautiful honor. The Northern Voices award is truly what I would consider my greatest accomplishment to date. What it stands for is exactly aligned with what I am trying to achieve in my work. I am really overwhelmingly grateful. 

Thank you again, and I am so proud and appreciative of the Duluth/Superior Film Festival you all honor and support artists who are trying to make a difference in the world…

Appreciate you!”

Ready to Rock and Roll 
For the short film whose filmmakers are poised to take it to the next level... soon.

Reuben the Roller Roo
Directed by Will Prescott

A roller rink employee struggles to balance his love of entertaining children with dealing drugs on the side.