Announcing the UMCU Audience Award

The festival is pleased to announce the recipient of the UMCU Audience Award for the 57th AAFF, as determined by audience ballot: BIRD MILK, by Christopher Strickler. Congratulations, Christopher!

Shot in Vancouver, Canada, in 2018, this 4-minute short explores juicy colors and crunchy textures driven by chaotic electronic music. Strickler made BIRD MILK in 2018 during his final year of school while earning a B.M.A. in animation from Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, Canada. Originally from Lafayette, Indiana, Strickler also does installation art and live visual performances, in addition to animation. He was in attendance at the 57th Ann Arbor Film Festival.

The AAFF presented BIRD MILK on Wednesday, March 27, at 9:15 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Michigan Theater (603 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan) as part of Films in Competition 4 (FIC 4). The FIC 4 program was sponsored by the James and Anne Duderstadt Center at the University of Michigan, with support from the Austrian Cultural Forum. North Coast Modular served as a community partner.

The award was announced at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 31, 2019, from the stage of the main auditorium at the Michigan Theater as part of the festival's Winners Night program. Thank you to all who attended and voted for the UMCU Audience Award by ranking their favorite films throughout the festival week!