US (2002): Documentary/Short

Intimate, humorous, passionate and poignant, Thoth is a portrait of the artist as a middle-aged street performer in New York City. Having moved to the Big Apple from San Francisco (he was evicted from his apartment there when the rent was raised), S. (for Stephen) K. Thoth is an athletic and artistic 47-year-old who considers himself homeless, although he lives with his mother, a professional timpanist, in her small apartment.

Thoth and his violin are fixtures at the Bethesda Fountain at 72nd Street in Central Park, where he has been performing his self-titled "soloperas," or solo operas, since 1999. Although Thoth has performed across Europe, South America and California, New York has claimed him as its own. In 2000, New York magazine pictured him among its "Faces of New York," and this Oscar®-winning documentary film, originally shown around the country as part of Art for America (a national fund-raiser that benefits the Twin Towers Fund), has transformed him from a local curiosity to a national celebrity. (Cinemax.com)

· Best Achievement in Documentary Short Films 2001: Sarah Kernochan and Lynn Appelle, producers

1 nomination, 1 Award