The 6th Yucca Valley Film Festival wrapped yesterday evening with its Awards Ceremony, followed by a Social Hours and the screening of a DJ Set.

Overall, this 6th edition drew close to a thousand of festival attendees and attracted several dozens of filmmakers from Australia, Texas, San Francisco, Miami, Los Angeles, Germany and Portugal to our Town.

On top of the many screening blocks, the organizers put together 6 industry events, 5 of them offering active participation and engagement from local residents.

Moderator Chloe Malaise and Festival Director Matt Beurois co-hosted the final event, distributing 17 awards, 5 going to local artists and movies filmed locally in the Hi-Desert.

Town of Yucca Valley Mayor Dr Lombardo gave a closing speech, reminding the crowd how the Film Festival, signature event of the Town, helped put Yucca Valley on the map for so many artists, thanking the filmmakers for their creativity, their participation and their 3-day commitment to the film festival.

The Award Ceremony offered a different scenography this year, mixing residents and community members with the filmmakers in a cabaret-like setup, with tables scattered all around the Yucca Room.

The ambiance was vibrant and joyful, with many community stakeholders presents to support the event, such as Miss Yucca Valley, the YVHS Homecoming Queen and King, several YV Chamber of Commerce Board Members, and even business representatives from 29 Palms.

Local artists awarded this year are:

  • JD Rudometkin with “The Sheep Are Safely Gathered In”
  • Stephen Funk with “Existential Action Thriller”
  • Shannon Morzov with “Drain”, filmed in Joshua Tree
  • Natalie Faye takes home the prestigious Yucca Valley Award for “Four Feet Away”.

2024 LIST OF WINNERS

CATEGORYTITLEDIRECTOR / ARTISTSTATUS
Best Drone FilmNature, Humanity & TechnologyGuillermo García CastellWINNER
Best Movie PosterKoroneburgJake Villadolid WINNER
Best TrailerVidaMaria ValdezWINNER
Best Visual ArtThe Sheep Are Safely Gathered In: Step JayneJD RudometkinWINNER
Best Dance FilmDrainShannon MorzovHONORABLE MENTION
Best Music VideoJonah Kagen – MatchesZebulon GriffinWINNER
Keep Mojave FreeExistential Action ThrillerStephen Funk WINNER
Best Student FilmI Am Who I AmCaleb TownsendWINNER
Best ScriptNice BoyCathy TropeWINNER
Best DocumentaryFuture West: Origin James Tate WilsonWINNER Ex-Aequo
Best DocumentaryNot Just An Influencer – Beau MartinoBeau MartinoWINNER Ex-Aequo
Best Animated Short FilmMonsterPiers Goffart, Eric GiessmannWINNER
Best Animated Short FilmChainLing HanHONORABLE MENTION
Best Music ComposerElli And Her Monster TeamAmaury laurent BernierWINNER
Best Music ComposerThe MatriarchMichael DrewHONORABLE MENTION
Best DirectorOut on a LimbFilip Kojic WINNER
Best Short FilmDarcine’s DayAaron GoffmanWINNER
Yucca Valley AwardFour Feet AwayNatalie FayeWINNER

Thank you all!