By GREG REIFSTECK
Jon Shear’s “Urbania” and Francois Ozon’s “Criminal Lovers” were named the top narrative films Sunday by the grand jury of Outfest 2000, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.
“Urbania” was named best American feature, while “Lovers” took the prize for foreign film at the Outies presentation at the John Anson Ford Amphitheater in Hol-lywood. Ceremonies were hosted by kudocast scribe Bruce Vilanch.
Presenters included “American Beauty” producers Dave Cohen and Dan Jinks; thesps Jennifer Jason Leigh, Alan Cumming, Judith Light and Bill Brochtrup; and scribe Charles Busch, whose “Psycho Beach Party,” directed by Robert Lee King, was in competition.
Also presenting were Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall and RuPaul Charles, stars of Lions Gate’s “But I’m a Cheerleader,” directed by Jamie Babbit, which was screened after the awards as part of the “Outfest Under the Stars” series.
Helmer Jorge Manzano received the special programming committee freedom award for the feature “Johnny Greyeyes.”
Breakthroughs
Mary Guzman, helmer of “Desi’s Looking for a New Girl,” and Patrik Ian Polk, helmer of “Punks,” received recognition from the special programming committee as outstanding emerging talent.
Documentary feature prize went to “Our House,” directed by Meema Spadola.
Grand jury actress and actor prizes went to Lauren Ambrose for her performances in “Psycho Beach Party” and “Swimming,” and to Eric Schweig for “Big Eden.”
Other grand jury awards included Ben Berkowitz and Benjamin Redgrave for screenwriting on “Straight Man.”
Audience awards went to “Big Eden,” written and directed by Thomas Bezucha, for narrative feature, and “Home for Christmas” (Hjem Til Jul) directed by Norwegian Frank Mesvold, for best narrative short.
“Nuyorican Dream,” directed by Laurie Collyer, won the audience award for documentary, while “Straight Down the Aisle,” directed by Christine J. Russo and Kelly Hankin, took the prize for docu short.