More than 500 people attended film screenings and awards ceremony on October 8, 2006.
Best Film: A Satisfied Life: The Legacy of Ted Wryk
Minneapolis filmmaker and teacher Freya Schirmacher and her film “A Satisfied Life: The Legacy of Ted Wryk” won Best Film honors and $5,000 in prize money at the Minnesota Historical Society’s Moving Pictures Film Festival, held at the Minnesota History Center on October 8. Thirty short films that explored the lives and legacies of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation were entered in the competition and screened at the festival, attended by more than 500 people.
The winning film explores the life of North Minneapolis resident Ted Wryk who has lived his life with ongoing commitment and purpose, and how these values inspire successive generations to aspire to the ideal of a “Satisfied Life.”
“The most rewarding part of all this has been the privilege of entering my neighbor’s home and life and gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of his life,” said Schirmacher. “I was surprised by his generosity and unceasingly positive attitude.” View the film.
Other Winning Films
Other films and filmmakers honored include:
- Making the Best of Hard Times by Roger Bindl – Best Depiction of Childhood/Adolescent Life of the 1930s ($2,500) View the film.
- A Good Doctor by Maxine Davis – Best Exploration of an Intergenerational Legacy ($1,000) View the film.
- A Sacred Heart by Norah Shapiro – Emerging Filmmaker ($1,000) View the film.
- My Grandma Lucy by Ali & Tom Drube – Best Collaborative Effort ($1,000) View the film.
Honorable Mentions were also awarded: Searching for Norman by Luke Taylor; I Will Come Back by Robb Mitchell; and 56 by Deacon Warner.
Descriptions of the films are on the Film Entries for 2006 page.
Films from the festival were screened at various venues throughout the state in 2006 and early 2007.
“I think people from this generation have a tremendous amount to teach us, and we owe it to them to thank and acknowledge them,” said award-winning filmmaker Maxine Davis. “I think through films, we can ensure that 50 years from now their stories are known to future generations.”
Randal Dietrich, project manager of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Project, noted: “We are thrilled with the quality of the entries and the stories that were depicted in these films.
They are a treasure for many – the subject’s families as well as our state and our nation for their historic purposes.”
Films in the festival competition will be added to the Minnesota Historical Society’s archives.
2007 Competition
Subsequent festivals and competitions are planned for 2007 and 2008, where more than $10,000 in prize money will again be awarded.
