So what the hell happened to DEAR ZACHARY? I hope this lack of awards does not mean that we shall never be graced with its theatrical or DVD release.

Jim, I think your question is more interesting than you may realize. Dear Zachary is an odd case. I'm not surprised that it's not coming away with any awards or that (I'm guessing here) it was turned by the Sundance selection committee and played at Slamdance instead. It throws a wrench even into the indie system and upends expectations of what even the indiest of docs should be.

We have to keep in mind that it began as a home movie, literally a sort of video valentine to an infant boy, before the story blew up on Kuenne. But such are its aesthetics; except for a few newspaper headlines, a calendar - in other words, entirely unspectacular graphics - the film is essentially composed of home movies intercut with talking heads. Its undeniable power is derived from Kuenne's storytelling - quite simply, his talent for knowing what to reveal when - and of course, the emotional investment of all his dozens of interviewees.

And, as David Lowery points out, he does fly off the handle here and there. At one point, he "screams" - the screen flashes with pure red and strobing images/memories while the soundtrack wails. Isolate that short sequence and it'd look... well, unacceptably amateur. But within the context of the story, not so much. We're reminded that Kuenne is a player in this story, not simply an observer, and I at least think he has a right to an outburst like this one and respect his decision not to play it cool.

At any rate - a unique case that doesn't fit neatly at all within even the system of expectations that's taken shape as an alternative to mainstream conventions.

"Dear Zachary" was not in competition at SXSW and was therefore not eligible for awards consideration; same deal at Slamdance. SXSW only lets premieres compete, and as "Dear Zachary" had already played 2 other fests, it was no longer a premiere. For Slamdance's part, they only let first/second-time directors compete, and since "Dear Zachary" was essentially my third or fourth feature, depending on how you look at it, we were placed out of competition. Regardless, I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to screen at both festivals, marvelous events run by marvelous people. At the one festival that did place it in competition thus far, Cinequest, it won two awards - a Special Jury Award for Documentary Feature and the Audience Award.

Glad to see it has been provoking healthy discussion. :)

Cheers,
Kurt