ActionFest was an annual film festival in Asheville, NC, started by Carolina Cinemas and Magnolia Pictures founder Bill Banowsky and action director/producer Aaron Norris, along with Dennis Berman and Tom Quinn. ActionFest was the first film festival in the world devoted exclusively to action film. It was also the only film festival in the world that honoring stunt performers, filling a void caused by the decision of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences not to recognize stunt men and stunt women in its Academy Awards. ActionFest's stated mission was to "recognize, honor and appreciate the remarkable efforts of these amazing people who risk their lives every day to make Hollywood films look exciting and great."
ActionFest 2010
The first annual festival took place at The Carolina Asheville cinema April 15–18, 2010, opening with the world premiere of director Neil Marshall's bloody sword and sandal epic, Centurion. The 2010 festival featured over 25 films from around the world, including the world premiere of. Legendary martial artist and action movie superstar Chuck Norris was on hand to receive ActionFest’s Action Star of the Decade Award, but he actually presented the award to his long-time creative partner, his brother Aaron. In addition to screening action movies, ActionFest also showcased movie stuntmen, stunt coordinators and other technical experts, who gave two live stunt performances with improvised fights, three to four story falls, rappelling, sky-diving and a flying jetpack demonstration.
ActionFest 2010 Awards
In its inaugural event, ActionFest began the tradition of giving out awards for achievement in areas of action cinema such as stunt work, 2nd unit directing, and stars on the screen. The ActionFest Awards included: Lifetime Achievement Award: Paul Weston: Motion PictureStunt Coordinator / 2nd Unit Director Lifetime Achievement Award: Kinnie Gibson – Stuntman Rising Action Star: Marko Zaror
ActionFest 2010 Jury Awards
There were also awards given to films at the festival, chosen by a jury. The winners of the ActionFest 2010 Jury Awards were: Best Fight Scene: 14 Blades - Teahouse battle between Green Dragon and the Judge of the Sky Eagles Best Fight Choreographer: - Larnell Stovall Best Director: - Isaac Florentine Best Film: - Merantau
The ActionFest 2010 Jury Panel
Devin Faraci Colin Geddes Todd Brown Jury President: Chuck Norris
ActionFest 2011
ActionFest returned to the Carolina Cinemas Asheville for its second year on April 7–10, 2011 and to shine a light on action films and the stuntmen and women who perform in them.
The 2011 Jury Award winners for ActionFest 2011 were: 30 Seconds of Action: Evan Pease’s Action Figures Best Action Sequence: The nocturnal garbage truck/dune buggy chase in Tomorrow, When the War Began Best Stuntwork:Bangkok Knockout‘s stunt team Best Director:Julian Gilbey for A Lonely Place to Die Best Film:A Lonely Place to Die
The ActionFest 2011 Jury Panel
The Jury in 2011 consisted of: Katrina Hill Tim League Russell Towery Scott Weinberg Freakin' Jay Deacon
ActionFest 2012
The third annual ActionFest was held on April 12–15, 2012, and honored legendary stunt man Mickey Gilbert with the third annual Lifetime Action Achievement Award. The inaugural Chick Norris Award was given to MMA and Action Film Star Gina Carano. Carano received the award in person at ActionFest 2012. The Chick Norris award will be given to "a woman working in film today who best represents the spirit, attitude, athleticism and grit of Hollywood legend Chuck Norris." Festival Director Colin Geddes returned this year to program the festival.
ActionFest 2012 Awards
The ActionFest Award winners for 2012 were: Lifetime Achievement Award: - Mickey Gilbert Man Of Action Award: - Jack Gill Producer of the Year Award: - Courtney Solomon Chick Norris Award: - Gina Carano Rising Action Star Award: - Cung Le Best Car Stunt Of The Decade Award: - Tom Elliott Best Young Stuntman Of The Year Award: - Trevor Habberstad
