Arts & Entertainment Community

‘Freedom’s Path’ claims Director’s Choice award at Gig Harbor Film Festival

“Freedom’s Path,” a drama set during the Civil War, won the Director’s Choice award for best feature film at the 2022 Gig Harbor Film Festival.

“Freedom’s Path” tells the story of “a unique friendship forged between a soldier and runaway slave, centering in and around the Underground Railroad.” It was written and directed by Bellevue filmmaker Brett Smith and stars Ewen Bremner, R.J. Tyler and Gerran Howell.

The movie also has been accepted or screened at several other film festivals, including the San Diego International Film Festival and the St. Louis International Film Festival.

The Gig Harbor Film Festival was Sept. 22-25 at Galaxy Theaters Gig Harbor in Uptown.

Other award winners from the Gig Harbor Film Festival include:

Director’s Choice-Short: “Soldier,” a documentary short focusing on the risks of PTSD and suicide among war veterans.

Best Actor: Aaron Foster for “Tacos for (Redacted),” about someone who spends $10,000 on a crowdfunding site to buy a role in a Hollywood film. After receiving neither the role nor a refund, he gets revenge instead.

Best Actress: Rhona Rees for “Freya,” a film set in the near future that deals with technology, social media and The State.

Best Director: Staci Layne Wilson for “The Ventures: Stars on Guitars,” a documentary about the No. 1 instrumental rock group in the world.

Gig Award: “Elephant Refugees,” about the elephant migration crisis in Botswana.

Best Washington Made: “700 Feet Down,” a documentary about the 1940 collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, directed by Gig Harbor resident Peter Bortel of Our World Films LLC.