John G. Young

The Village Voice called Young’s first feature, Parallel Sons “…one of the best independent films of the decade.” After its premiere in the Dramatic Competition at Sundance, it won Best Feature awards at the Florida Film Festival, OutFest, and Frameline. It screened at more than 40 national and international film festivals before it was released theatrically. His second feature, The Reception, opened in 2005 to rave reviews after premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. The Los Angeles Times called it “polished, worldly and witty,” while Variety called the film “effortlessly cosmopolitan.” The New York Times said it was “quietly ambitious and memorable.” The film won a Best Actor Award at OutFest and was released theatrically. Rivers Wash Over Me, Young’s third feature film, premiered in 2009 as Newfest’s Centerpiece. The film went on to play more than 30 festivals, garnering a Jury Award for Best Feature from the Chicago International LGBT Film Festival and a Best Actor Award from OutFest. It made several top 10 lists for 2009.