THE DVD "OSCARS"

Held on January 7, 2001 at the VSDA, The 2nd Annual DVD Festival Awards recognize DVD labels and producers for excellence in content and production techniques unique to the digital-disc format. The 2001 DVD Festival Award include multiple nominees in such categories as "Best DVD Commentary," "Best Use of Menu Features," "Best Supplementary Material Presentation," "Best Use of Audio/Language Tracks" and "Best Overall DVD" in different subcategories (Theatrical, Musical, Adult, etc.)

In the past, as editor of DVDFILE, I've been a bit suspicious of the more coporate nature of some of these DVD award shows, but when The Festival Awards asked me to be a judge to help bring a more independent voice to the awards, I was intrigued. One thing I learned about being a judge right away...it ain't easy. Oh, sure, I bet you think you just get a box of free DVDs and isn't that fun! Ha! Going through nearly 100 DVDs in a variety of categories is pretty tough work, especially knowing that the outcome of your choices is goign to be heavily publicized. It is a big responsibility, but I I felt up to the task!

The DVD Awards were determined by a "DVD Festival" blue-ribbon jury of recognized experts in the entertainment media, including: Daily Variety, Dallas Morning News, Digital Bits, DVD Review, DVDFile (Editor: Woo-hoo!), Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter, The Movie Guys, The New Movie Show, Video Business Magazine, and Video Store Magazine. A 20 member blue-ribbon panel made up of home entertainment journalists from across the nation were asked to review and rate over 150 entries in just thirteen categories. To be qualified, a DVD had to be released between January 1, 2000 and November 30, 2000.

Every DVD company, regardless of size, was asked to choose their best titles in each category. Over 28 DVD companies participated, including: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Columbia Tristar Home Video, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Universal Studios Home Video, and Warner Home Video/HBO Home Video.

Following is a listing of the top ranking entries as well as the winners, who are bolded and astericked:

THE ABYSS - 20 - CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** MEN IN BLACK - COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 - PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
T2: THE ULTIMATE EDITION - ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH - MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT

FIGHT CLUB - 20 - CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
GLADIATOR - DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
MEN IN BLACK - COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** T2: THE ULTIMATE EDITION - ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT

CHICKEN RUN - DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 - PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** T2: THE ULTIMATE EDITION - ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT

BEST USE OF AUDIO/LANGUAGE TRACKS -- TIE

** BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI - COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENT.
GALAXY QUEST - DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW - 20 - CENTURY FOX HOME ENT.

BEACH BOYS: ENDLESS HARMONY - EMI/CAPITOL RECORDS
MILES DAVIS - MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL - PIONEER ENTERTAINMENT
** SANTANA: THE SUPERNATURAL TOUR - BMG ENTERTAINMENT

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN - WARNER HOME VIDEO
THE SOUND OF MUSIC - 20 - CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** THIS IS SPINAL TAP - MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT

FIGHT CLUB - 20 - CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
THE LIMEY - ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** THIS IS SPINAL TAP - MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT

BLUE'S BIG MUSICAL MOVIE - PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
CHICKEN RUN - DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
** STUART LITTLE - COLUMBIA TRISTAR HOME ENTERTAINMENT
TANGERINE BEAR - ARTISAN HOME ENTERTAINMENT

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