The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) has announced 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