"The Cartel," a documentary that offers many innovative solutions to the problems in public education, won the prestigious PRI prize for excellence in filmmaking at the Anthem Libertarian Film Festival July 16. Director Bob Bowdon accepted the award, which includes a $2,500 cash prize, from Sally Pipes, CEO of the Pacific Research Institute. "We received many fine entries," Pipes said, "including four excellent films on education. 'The Cartel' was best." In his acceptance speech, Bowdon encouraged the audience of 700 FreedomFest and Anthem attendees to become actively involved in school choice. Pipes added, "We hope the PRI prize will encourage more filmmakers to develop projects that foster libertarian ideals."

"The Cartel" also won the Anthem award for Best Documentary, and "alleged" won the Anthem award for best narrative feature. Producer Frederick Foote accepted the award for "alleged." The awards were given at the Gala closing night banquet and Revolutionary Ball, which included dinner, dancing, a speech by Senator Rand Paul, and even costumes. FreedomFest founder Mark Skousen and Anthem Director Jo Ann Skousen appeared as Antony and Cleopatra, in fact. Next year's festival will be held at Bally's (in the Palace rooms near the Event Center on the ground floor) July 11-14, 2012.

Winners of the first annual Anthem Libertarian Film Festival Awards:

PRI Prize for Excellence in Filmmaking and Libertarian Ideals:

The Cartel, Bob Bowdon, director

Best Film:

Best Narrative Feature: "alleged," Tom Hines, director
Best Documentary Feature: "The Cartel," Bob Bowdon, director
Best Short Drama, "Bright," Benjamin Busch, director
Best Short Comedy, "Final Census," Shawn Monaghan, director
Best Short Documentary, "Gentle Men," Jesse Gibbons, director
Best International Narrative Feature, "Butterfly Crush," Alan Clay, director
Best International Documentary, "Overdose," Martin Borgs, director

Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Filmmaking:

Narrative Feature: "Marathon," Biju Viswanath, director
Documentary Feature: "Cool It," Ondi Timoner, director
Short Drama: "Tyttonen," Fabian Giessler, director
Short Comedy: "Fairy Tale of London Town," Louis Neethling, director

Special Jury Prize for Libertarian Ideals:

Narrative Feature: "Lady Magdalene's," J. Neil Schulman, director
Documentary Feature: "Indoctrinate U," Evan Coyne Maloney, director
Short Drama: "Threnody," Sean Buttimer, director
Short Comedy: "Et Miaow Alors," Adrian Westbrook, director
Short Documentary: "The Sea is a Harsh Mistress," Jason Sussberg, director

Grand Jury Special Presentation:

"Zero Percent," Tim Skousen, director

Audience Choice Awards:

Narrative Feature: "alleged," Tom Hines, director

Documentary Feature:

"Cool It," Ondi Timoner, director
"Zero Percent," Tim Skousen, director

Short:

"Bright," Benjamin Bush, director

Congratulations to all our filmmakers. We hope to see you at Anthem again, with more great films featuring self-reliant protagonists and espousing principles of individual liberty, choice and accountability. Audience reaction was universally positive--we appreciate all that you did to make the first annual Anthem Libertarian Flm Festival such a success.