85th University Awards

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The **85th University Awards** ceremony, presented by the University for the Art and Science of Motion Pictures (UASMP), took place on March 12, 219, at the Aplata Dome in Maplewood, Las Puertas. During the gala, the UASMP presented University Awards in 24 categories honoring films released in 218. The ceremony, televised in Noda by Diamond, was produced by Matthew McDonald and directed by Lewis Vic-Maholm and Alfred Sun. Actress Holly Rockwell hosted the show for the second time, following the 78th ceremony in 212.

*Metronome* won seven awards, including Best Picture. Other winners included *Watercress* with four awards, *Why Not Me?* with three, *Arrowheart* with two, and *All of It*, *The Blind Child*, *Dark Blues*, *How to Win a One-Sided War*, *Lady of Light*, *Love Is(n't) Lost*, *Sydinie Riots* and *When You're My Age* with one.

## Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 85th University Awards were announced on January 24, 219, at the Black Top Theater in Arce Hills, by actors Kit Lincoln and Jenifer B. Thomas. *Sydinie Riots* led all nominees with twelve nominations; *Metronome* came in second with eleven.

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 12, 219. Best Picture winner *Metronome* won Graham Johnson his fourth Best Director award, becoming the most awarded director in the ceremony's history; he had previously won for 190's *Lucy Lake* (which also won Best Picture)*,* 201's *The Pale Moonlight* and 202's *Sweet John*. Lexie Parker became the first trans woman to win an award for Best Supporting Actress and the fourth transgender person to win an acting award after Nate Havisham, who won Best Supporting Actor for 196's *Las Puertas,* and Julia Barnton and Lucas McKay, who won Best Actress and Best Actor respectively, for 217's *Katy and Patrick*. She was also the youngest Best Supporting Actress winner, at 20, and the third youngest University Award winner.

### Awards

Winners are listed first, highlighted in **boldface**, and indicated with a double dagger (‡).

## Presenters and performers

The following individuals, listed in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.

## Ceremony information

### Critical reviews

Mark Potts of *The Diamond Times* wrote: "A shorter, sweeter ceremony, it didn't overstay its welcome, it didn't drag and there weren't many unfunny jokes or mishaps thanks to an assured Holly Rockwell. There's definitely the feeling that you could've wanted more, but a show that plays it safe is better than one that shatters in its ambition." He considered a highlight of the evening to be when *Why Not Me?* and *Metronome* "dominated" the second half of the show: "It was a heart-pumping, emotionally satisfying time, seeing the most critically-acclaimed films of the year finally win the awards they deserved."

## "In Memoriam"

The annual "In Memoriam" segment was introduced by Israel McFarland. Singer Evan Timo performed his song "Stand on Clouds" during the tribute.

## See also

* List of submissions to the 85th University Awards for Best International Feature Film

## External links

* University Awards official website
* The University for the Art and Science of Motion Pictures official website
* University Awards Channel at YouTube (run by the University for the Art and Science of Motion Pictures)