The Morongo Basin was well represented in the awards for the Yucca Valley Film Festival, which concluded Sunday evening. Jesika von Rabbit’s music video “Joshua Tree” tied for best music video. “Desert Prayer,” filmed at the Raven Bookstore in Twentynine Palms and desert locations in Joshua Tree and Pipes Canyon, and featuring appearances by locals Valerie Eagle Heart and Carrie Laughing Heart, won the Yucca Valley award. “Very Nick and Zach,” which was filmed at Kitchen in the Desert restaurant in Twentynine Palms, won third place for the People’s Choice award. The film “Feelings,” filmed partially in Pioneertown, Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree, tied for best visual arts film with “Staying in the Game,” written, directed, and filmed by Gordon Clark of Joshua Tree. The music video “Are You Serious,” featuring local singer Popstar Nima, won the Keep Mojave Free award. The award-winning animated short “Master Moley” has been making the circuit of international film festivals and made its U.S. debut at the Yucca Valley Film Festival and won best animated short.
Best Script
“Little Victories”
Best Student Film
“Mascarpone”
Best Animated
“Master Moley”
Best Visual Arts
“Staying in the Game”
“Feelings”
Best Music Videos
“Joshua Tree”
“Johnny and the Devil”
Best Short
“Ghost in the Gun”
Best Documentary
“Love Cycles”
Keep Mojave Free Award
Music video “Are You Serious?”
People’s Choice Award 3rd Place
“Very Nick and Zach”
1st Place
“Little Victories”
2nd Place
“Papa”
Festival Pick
“Winter’s Blight”
Yucca Valley Award
“Desert Prayer”
