Edgar Wright‘s “Baby Driver” and Noël Wells’ directorial debut “Mr. Roosevelt” won audience prizes at the South by Southwest Film Festival for Best Headliner and Best Narrative Spotlight titles.
Wright’s film follows an eccentric young driver (Ansel Elgort), a hired hand behind the wheel of getaway cars who needs an iPod playing to pull off stunts that evade police. It costars Kevin Spacey, Jon Hamm, Lily James and Eiza González.
Wells, who also wrote, produces and stars in “Roosevelt,” spins a semi-autobiographical tale of a Los Angeles comedian who returns home to contend with her ex-boyfriend and his lovable new girlfriend.
“Dealt,” about renowned blind card magician Richard Turner, won Best Documentary Feature. “The Light of the Moon,” Jessica M. Thompson’s entry about a Latina architect grappling with sexual assault, took Best Narrative Feature.
Netflix’s lightning rod TV series “Dear White People” landed an award in the Episodic TV category for helmer Justin Simien.
2017 SXSW Film Festival Audience Award Winners
Narrative Feature Competition: “The Light of the Moon ,” Jessica M. Thompson
Documentary Feature Competition: “Dealt ,” Luke Korem
Headliner: “Baby Driver,” Edgar Wright
Narrative Spotlight: “Mr. Roosevelt,” Noël Wells
Documentary Spotlight: “The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin,” Jennifer M. Kroot
Visions: “Becoming Bond,” Josh Greenbaum
Midnighters: “68 Kill,” Trent Haaga
Episodic: ”Dear White People,” Justin Simien
24 BEATS PER SECOND Audience Award Winner: “May It Last: A Portrait of the Avett Brothers” Directors: Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio
Global: “Divine Divas,” Leandra Leal
Festival Favorites: “The Big Sick ,” Michael Showalter