By admin 
The 76th annual ACE Eddie Awards, a prestigious ceremony celebrating the art of film and television editing, concluded Friday night at UCLA’s Royce Hall, with "Sinners" and "One Battle After Another" emerging as the frontrunners in the live-action feature film categories. These accolades not only honor exceptional craftsmanship but also provide a significant barometer for the upcoming Academy Awards, as the winners in these categories have historically mirrored the Best Editing Oscar recipient with remarkable frequency. The event also saw compelling narratives unfold through heartfelt acceptance speeches, insightful reflections on the power of editing, and significant career recognitions.
In a testament to bold storytelling, "Sinners," edited by Michael Shawver, clinched the award for Best Edited Feature Film (Drama, Theatrical). Shawver, accepting the award, lauded director Ryan Coogler for his audacious vision. "Ryan Coogler took a big risk, and I think gave audiences something that maybe they didn’t even know they were hungry for – something new, different, fun, and a total experience," Shawver remarked, underscoring the film’s ability to captivate with its originality and immersive quality. The film’s success at the Eddies positions it as a strong contender in the Oscar race, where innovative editing can often elevate a dramatic narrative to new heights of emotional impact and audience engagement.
Conversely, "One Battle After Another," expertly cut by Andy Jurgensen, earned the award for Best Edited Feature Film (Comedy, Theatrical). While the provided text doesn’t offer a direct quote from Jurgensen, the win itself signifies the film’s adept handling of comedic timing and pacing, crucial elements in delivering a successful laugh-out-loud experience. The comedy category, often overlooked in broader awards discussions, highlights the vital role of editing in shaping audience reactions and defining a film’s comedic tone and effectiveness.
The animated realm also saw its champion crowned, with "KPop Demon Hunters," edited by Nathan Schauf, taking home the prize for Best Edited Animated Feature Film. This win celebrates the intricate and often invisible work required to bring animated worlds to life, where every frame and movement is meticulously crafted. The success of "KPop Demon Hunters" suggests a dynamic and visually rich narrative that effectively utilizes the unique storytelling capabilities of animation.
Beyond the feature film categories, the ACE Eddie Awards recognized excellence across a spectrum of genres and formats. "The Perfect Neighbor," edited by Viridiana Lieberman, was honored with the award for Best Edited Documentary. This win is particularly noteworthy as the Netflix documentary is also a nominee in the Best Documentary category at the upcoming Academy Awards, further amplifying its Oscar prospects and underscoring the critical role of editing in shaping compelling non-fiction narratives.
The world of documentary series celebrated the poignant work on "Pee-wee as Himself – Part One," with Damian Rodriguez receiving the award for Best Edited Documentary Series. Rodriguez dedicated his win to the late Paul Reubens, expressing profound gratitude and acknowledging Reubens’ immense artistic legacy. "We wouldn’t be here without him," Rodriguez stated emotionally. "He was such an amazing artist, and he influenced so many people, including myself. I wish he was here." This heartfelt tribute underscored the personal impact of the subject matter and the collaborative spirit inherent in documentary filmmaking.
On the television front, the ACE Eddie Awards showcased the diverse talent within episodic storytelling. "The Studio" (The Promotion), edited by Eric Kissack, ACE, secured the award for Best Edited Single Camera Comedy Series, while "The Pitt" (6pm), edited by Mark Strand, ACE, triumphed in the Best Edited Drama Series category. These wins highlight the distinct challenges and creative approaches required to craft compelling narratives within the episodic television format, where consistency, character development, and narrative momentum are paramount. The inclusion of "Frasier" (Murder Most Finch), edited by Russell Griffin, ACE, in the Best Edited Multi-Camera Comedy Series category, points to the enduring appeal and skilled execution of this classic television format.
The ACE Awards also recognized the innovative and often boundary-pushing work in animated series. "South Park" (Twisted Christian), edited by David List and Nate Pellettieri, won for Best Edited Animated Series. List’s acceptance speech offered a fascinating glimpse into the show’s creative process, emphasizing its commitment to pushing the envelope of free expression. "It was especially gratifying to work on these last 10 episodes because Trey and Matt really, really went for it," he shared. "They challenged the boundaries of censorship and how far all of us can exercise our First Amendment rights, whether it’s political commentary, mocking celebrity or that expertly timed fart joke." He passionately added, "Our freedom of speech should ultimately be protected and celebrated regardless of political party affiliation," a sentiment that resonated deeply in a climate of increasing cultural and political polarization.
In the realm of short films, "All The Empty Rooms," edited by Erin Casper, ACE, Stephen Maing, and Jeremy Medoff, received the award for Best Edited Short. Casper’s acceptance speech was particularly moving, as the film delves into the bedrooms of children killed in U.S. school shootings. She dedicated the award to the victims and their families, "who opened their doors to us and welcomed us into their sacred spaces of their child’s bedroom preserved just as it was since the last day they saw their child alive." Casper poignantly explained the film’s deliberate avoidance of the word "gun," stating, "The word gun is never mentioned in our film, and this was intentional on our part, because we’ve all grown so numb to this epidemic." Their goal, she emphasized, was to "center the humanity and the life that was in these rooms," a powerful testament to the ethical considerations and profound impact of documentary filmmaking.
The ACE Eddie Awards also bestowed significant honors upon established figures in the filmmaking industry. Renowned director Ang Lee was presented with the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year Award, a recognition of his significant contributions to cinema. In his acceptance speech, Lee offered a deeply personal and insightful perspective on the art of editing, dedicating his award to his long-time collaborator, editor Tim Squyres. "When you give me this award, you actually give me it to Tim Squyres," Lee declared, highlighting their extensive partnership, which has spanned nearly all of his directorial efforts. He shared an amusing anecdote about missing "Brokeback Mountain" due to his own jesting declaration of retirement after "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which led Squyres to take on other projects. Lee’s profound connection to his editor of over 35 years was palpable.
Lee further elaborated on the indispensable role of editing in his creative process, using a culinary metaphor to illustrate its significance. "It’s very hard to say, but let me put this way, my wife said, I can only do two things, right, making movies and cooking," he explained. "So let me use cooking as a metaphor. Shooting is like buying groceries, and the real cooking is on the editing table. That’s how I feel about editing." He described an internal "editing machine in my head" that guides his decisions from the outset, emphasizing that "editing is at the center of my consciousness." Lee’s words painted a vivid picture of an editor’s constant engagement, stating, "Every working day I have to answer, hundreds of questions about what I want. The only reason I can give directions and put the whole movie together is because I have that editing table in my head." He concluded with a hopeful outlook for the future of cinema, acknowledging the current challenges: "We’re in a particularly difficult moment, challenging moment, in our life of cinema. But I do believe, as long as there is as long as there are moving images, there will be editors."
The ACE Visionary Award was presented to Kim Larson & YouTube Will, acknowledging their innovative contributions to the evolving landscape of digital content creation. Furthermore, veteran film editors Arthur Forney, ACE, and Robert Leighton were honored with ACE Career Achievement Awards, celebrating their extensive and impactful careers shaping the visual narratives that have defined cinema and television.
The full list of winners at the 76th ACE Eddie Awards includes:
EDITED FEATURE FILM (Drama, Theatrical)
"Sinners"
Michael P. Shawver
BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (Comedy, Theatrical)
"One Battle After Another"
Andy Jurgensen
BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
"KPop Demon Hunters"
Nathan Schauf
BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"The Perfect Neighbor"
Viridiana Lieberman
BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES
"Pee-wee as Himself – Part One"
Damian Rodriguez
BEST EDITED MULTI-CAMERA COMEDY SERIES
"Frasier" (Murder Most Finch)
Russell Griffin, ACE
BEST EDITED SINGLE CAMERA COMEDY SERIES
"The Studio" (The Promotion)
Eric Kissack, ACE
BEST EDITED DRAMA SERIES
"The Pitt" (6pm)
Mark Strand, ACE
BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (NON-THEATRICAL)
"A Winter’s Song"
Yvette M. Amirian, ACE
BEST EDITED LIMITED SERIES
"The Penguin" (A Great or Little Thing)
Henk van Eeghen, ACE
BEST EDITED REALITY SERIES
"Conan O’Brien Must Go" (Austria)
Matthew Shaw, ACE
Brad Roelandt
BEST EDITED VARIETY TALK/SKETCH SHOW OR SPECIAL
"Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special"
Paul Del Gesso
Christopher Salerno
Ryan Spears
Sean Mcilraith, ACE
Ryan Mcilraith
Daniel Garcia
BEST EDITED ANIMATED SERIES
"South Park" (Twisted Christian)
David List
Nate Pellettieri
BEST EDITED SHORT
"All The Empty Rooms"
Erin Casper, ACE
Stephen Maing
Jeremy Medoff
ANNE V. COATES AWARD FOR STUDENT EDITING
Luis Barragan – California State University, Fullerton
The 76th ACE Eddie Awards not only celebrated the technical mastery and artistic vision of editors across various mediums but also served as a powerful reminder of the collaborative spirit and profound storytelling that lies at the heart of filmmaking. The wins and tributes at this year’s ceremony have undoubtedly set the stage for compelling conversations and anticipation as the industry looks towards the ultimate honors in cinematic achievement.