By Maria Esteves - January 30, 2008

The 36th Dance on Camera Festival (DCF) 2008, Awards Ceremony & Champagne Gala presented by Artistic Director Deirdre Towers, Dance Films Association (DFA), with Master of Ceremonies Frank Correa was held at the Alvin Ailey Studios, New York, Sunday, January 13, 2008, 6:30 PM. The Champagne Gala included performances by classical Spanish guitarist Paul Jared Newman, Clay Jenkins jazz ensemble, and Company XIV dance performance choreographed by Austin McCormick. Preview of film trailers included JACK COLE: JAZZ (1911-1974) work in progress (DFA fiscal sponsor Annette Macdonald), director Hugh Munro Neely; 2008 DCF award nominees APROP, director Aitor Echeverria, CAR MEN, director Boris PavalConem and Jiri Kylian, FLYING, director Phil Harder and Chameckilerner, FOLIES D'ESPAGNE, director Austin McCormick and Philip Buiser, HERE AFTER, director Wim Vandekebus, INSIDE THE CIRCLE, director Marcy Garriott, and WATER FLOWING TOGETHER, director Gwendolen Cates.

DCF presented by The Film Society of Lincoln Center and DFA annually present international dance films. The proud sponsors are DFA members, Susan Braun Trust, National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Capezio Ballet-Makers Foundation, Film Society of Lincoln Center, New York City Ballet, Dance/NYC, New York Public Library, New York Federation of Teachers, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Howard Gilman Foundation, Russian Standard Vodka, Gotham Wine and Liquors, and Ariston Florist.

This year's festival included over forty feature films, shorts, animations, and documentaries from around the world, filmmaker's Q&A, and gala receptions.

The winners of the 2008 DCF Awards were judged by:

• Alla Kovgan
• David Michalek
• John Rockwell
• Gerald Busby
• Lana Wilson

This year's ceremony included six awards within three categories. The following are the various awards and their winners:

Tony Award-winning choreographer and tap master Savion Glover was honored as Master of Timing.

Jury Prize Awards

• Best Feature - Phil Harder, Rosanne Chamecki, and Andrea Lerner for FLYING LESSON

• Best Documentary - Gwendolen Cates for WATER FLOWING TOGETHER

Honorable Mention

• Feature Documentary - Marcy Garriott for INSIDE THE CIRCLE

• Best Short - Boris Paval Conem and Jiri Kylian for CAR MEN

Young Choreographers Initiative Award

• Choreographer/Dancer Austin McCormick for FOLIES D'ESPAGNE

2008 DCF Master of Timing Award Winner tap master Savion
Glover, (left), with Feature Documentary Honorable Mention
Award Winner, Director Marcy Garriott, INSIDE THE CIRCLE.

2008 DCF award presenter Deirdre Towers, DFA Artistic Director, (left), with
Best Documentary Jury Prize Award Winner, Director Gwendolen Cates,
WATER FLOWING TOGETHER.

2008 DCF MC Frank Correa, (left), with Best Documentary Jury Prize Award
Winners, Director Gwendolen Cates, (center), and New York City Ballet
Former Principal Dancer, Jock Soto, School of American Ballet Faculty
Member, WATER FLOWING TOGETHER.

2008 DCF (from left-right), Director Hugh Munro Neely, Former Jack Cole Dancer,
Carmen de Lavallade, Producer Annette Macdonald, and Co-director Andie Hicks,
JACK COLE: JAZZ (1911-1974) documentary film work in progress.

2008 DCF classical Spanish guitarist Paul Jared Newman.

2008 DCF Scriptwriter Louis Venosta, Board of Advisors,
DFA.

2008 DCF Member of DFA Sylvester Harris, The Chocolate Bagpipper,
(left), with Painter Charles Steinberg.

2008 DCF Jury Members Composer/Actor Gerald Busby,
(right), and Performer Lana Wilson.

2008 DCF (from left-right), Maria Esteves, Aviva Press with Best Documentary
Jury Prize Award Winners, NYCB Former Principal Dancer, Jock Soto,
SAB Faculty Member and Director Gwendolen Cates, WATER FLOWING
TOGETHER.