Turbo Cola, a dynamic and innovative low-budget gem, triumphed over a field of exceptional independent films, reaffirming the power of creativity and artistic freedom in the world of filmmaking. It’s the story that takes place on the eve of Y2K about a soon-to-be high school graduate planning to rob the gas stop ATM where he works. In his review, Alan Ng says, “Turbo Cola is not so much about the heist but Austin confronting the elements of his life holding him back.” This remarkable achievement underscores the spirit of independent filmmaking that continues to captivate audiences and industry professionals alike.
Lila Hart – 2023 Award This! Ceremony Host
Film Threat would like to congratulate all of the winners and nominees of this year’s ceremony, including This is Gwar, a documentary about the legendary metal band, and winner of Directress of the Year, Stacey Maltin, for her LGBT musical Triple Threat. Award This! was sponsored by Liquid Death, Encyclopocalypse, NEFT Vodka, Rhythmz Wifi Backpack, ShortsTV, Sugar Studios, and From the Heart Productions. The two-hour event is available on the Film Threat YouTube Channel.
Award This! 2023 Nominees and Winners Award This! Film About Movies or Filmmaking
Back to the Drive-In – WINNER The Horror Crowd Only In Theaters – WINNER Pennywise: The Story of It The Story of Film: A New Generation
Award This! Winner April Wright (Director of Back to the Drive-In)
Award This! Music Documentary
Finding Her Beat – WINNER One for ALL: The DJ Chris Villa Story Pistoleros: Death, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll This is Gwar – WINNER We Thrive
Subjects of Award This! Best Music Documentary – Finding Her Beat
Award This! Socially Relevant Documentary
Clean Slate The Irritable Heart Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic Syndrome K – WINNER Truelove: The Film This Land
Award This! Pop Culture Documentary
Bad Attitude: The Art of Spain Rodriguez Batman and Me Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection – WINNER Out in the Ring The Pez Outlaw The Rookie Season
Unreal Outsiders Documentary
The Balcony Movie Chop & Steele – WINNER Eternal Spring A Life On The Farm My Old School Science Friction
Award This! Documentary
A Life On The Farm Chop & Steele Dave Stevens: Drawn to Perfection Eternal Spring Finding Her Beat This is Gwar This Land – WINNER Truelove: The Film
Jason Loftus – Director of Eternal Sptings – 2023 Award This! Best Animated Feature of the Year
Award This! Indie Sci-Fi
Alpha Code The Breach Breaking the Loop Life Cycle – WINNER Madelines Talent Keyhole
Award This! Indie Horror
Blood Relatives Bloody Bridget Brightwood Terrifier 2 The Quantum Terror – WINNER Wormhole – WINNER
Award This! Indie Comedy
Bernice, Too – WINNER The Daphne Project I Love My Dad Support Group Olympus The Take Out Move Turbo Cola – WINNER
Filmmakers from BRISTOL FASHION – Best LGBTQ+ Indie Film of the Year
Award This! Indie LGBTQ+ Themed Film
Bliss of Evil Borrowed Bristol Fashion – WINNER Neptune Frost Swallowed Triple Threat
Award This! Indie Animation
Absolute Denial Death of a Rockstar Eternal Spring – WINNER Mad God Unicorn Boy
Award This! Indie Action/Thriller
Corsicana Creatures of Necessity Escape the Field Hunt Her, Kill Her Once Upon a Time in the District – WINNER The Squad
Filmmaker, Stars, and Mother of the Award This! WTF Movie of the Year
Award This! WTF Indie like “What the F**k is This Movie Even?”
Bernice, Too Mad Heidi Ninja Badass – WINNER The Nudels of Nudeland No Shark Adult Swim Yule Log
Award This! Indie Romance
The Good Hearts Club Hank and Jolene I Love My Dad Love in Kilnerry Seize the Night – WINNER Tehranto
Award This! Indie Drama
18 ½ ICON – WINNER Crossing Ragged Heart Topside Waiting for Bojangles
Justin Souriau-Levine – Director of Planet of the Astronauts – 2023 Award This! Movie Made for Less than the Contents of an Oscars Basket.
Award This! Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K)
18 ½ Bernice, Too Creatures of Necessity The Daphne Project The Nudels of Nudeland Planet Of The Astronauts – WINNER
Award This! Christmas Horror Film
A Christmas Karen – WINNER!
Alejandro Montoya Marin – Winner of Award This! Best Short Film
Award This! Short Film
Bunco Babes Home Sweet Home Incidental Pulp Friction Return to Sender Same Old Starship The Wrong Guy – WINNER
Christopher Morvant (Life Cycle) – 2023 Director of the Year
Award This! Director
Christopher Morvant (Life Cycle) – WINNER Damien Leone (Terrifier 2) Dan Mirvish (18 ½) Isaiah Washington (Corsicana) James Morisini (I Love My Dad) Justin Souriau-Levine (Planet Of The Astronauts) Luke Covert (Turbo Cola)
Stacy Maltin (Triple Threat) – 2023 Award This! Directress of the Year
Award This! Directress
April Wright (Back to the Drive-In) Dawn Mikkelson & Keri Pickett (Finding Her Beat) Lisa Hagopian, Co-Director (We Thrive) Maria Peek (Sextortion: The Hidden Pandemic) Stacy Maltin (Triple Threat) – WINNER Susan Stern (Bad Attitude: The Art of Spain Rodriguez) Zora Iman Crews, Co-Director (The Daphne Project)
Bradon Keeton (Producer) and Luke Covert (Director) of Turbo Cola – 2023 Award This! Best Indie Movie of the Year
Award This! Indie Movie of the Year
18 ½ Brightwood The Daphne Project I Love My Dad Mad Heidi Planet Of The Astronauts Terrifier 2 Turbo Cola – WINNER
