Steppenwolf Film’s “The Last Rites of Joe May,” starring Dennis Farina and written and directed by Joe Maggio, topped the Best of the Midwest’s nine category awards presented Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Rockit Bar & Grill, cheered by a capacity audience crowd of Midwest Independent Film Festival fans.
The low-budget indie, that filmed in Chicago for four weeks in May, 2009, won best feature, best actor and actress (Meredith Droeger) awards. It’s the story of Farina as an aging and lonely short-money hustler who finds redemption.
At the time of the shoot, Farina said, “It’s wonderful to be shooting a movie in Chicago again. I haven’t had the privilege since ‘Crime Story’ (20 years earlier) and it also doesn’t hurt that after we wrap I can sleep in my own bed at night.”
The film was co-produced by Steppenwolf’s Tim Evans and You’re Faded Films’ partners Dennis Maestro and Bobby Schwartz.
Key roles were played by Steppenwolf ensemble members Gary Cole (“In the Line of Fire”), Ian Barford (“Road to Perdition”) and Chelcie Ross, “Mad Men’s” crusty Conrad Hilton.
Other awards went to:
Best short film: “A Certain Breed,” directed by Scott Smith.
Best director, Mike Diedrich and best editing: Randy Palmer and Brooks Ruyle, for the feature, “Ballhawks.”
Best music video: “Call the Press and Send Their Best,” directed by Matthew Achterberg and Michael Starcevich.
Best cinematography: Joel Edwards, for the short, “Mumbai Golf.”
Best screenplay: Dean Peterson, for the feature, “Incredibly Small.’
Altogether, 17 features, shorts and music videos competed for BMA annual prizes.
The Best of Midwest Awards are presented by the Midwest Independent Film Festival, held the first Tuesdays of the month at the Land Century Center Cinema.
