'Wall-E,' 'Slumdog' win at ACE Eddies

Dickens nabs drama prize for 'Slumdog'

By PETER DEBRUGE

For the first time in the ACE Eddie Awards’ 59-year history, an animated feature has cut to the head of the class.

“Wall-E” editor Stephen Schaffer claimed the editing org’s comedy/musical trophy Sunday night, while “Slumdog Millionaire” editor Chris Dickens earned top honors in the drama category, adding to the film’s awards-season momentum.

Documentary honors went to “Man on Wire,” edited by Jinx Godfrey, whose work blended interviews, archival footage and reenactment.

Smallscreen winners included the half-hour “30 Rock,” hourlong “Breaking Bad” and, in the noncommercial category, the “True Blood” pilot. HBO’s “Recount” and Fox’s “24: Redemption” took home TV movie kudos. The latter marks a repeat win for “24” editor Scott Powell.

The nonscripted award went to “Greensburg,” a Discovery Channel series about a community rebuilding itself according to eco-friendly standards after it was hit by a tornado.

“Lethal Weapon” star Mel Gibson presented ACE’s filmmaker of the year trophy to director Richard Donner. “When you weren’t my tormentor, you were my mentor,” the thesp-turned-Oscar-winning helmer said from the stage. The pair have made six pics together.

Acknowledging a nine-film collaboration, director Robert Zemeckis presented career achievement honors to Arthur Schmidt, who edited “Forrest Gump” and the “Back to the Future” series. Veteran editor Sidney M. Katz also received a career achievement trophy.

Junna Xiao of the American Film Institute won the student editing competition.

Comedian Aisha Tyler emceed the ceremony, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The full list of winners

EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC)
“Slumdog Millionaire,” Chris Dickens

EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL)
“Wall-E,” Stephen Schaffer

EDITED DOCUMENTARY
“Man on Wire,” Jinx Godfrey

EDITED HALF-HOUR SERIES FOR TELEVISION
“30 Rock: Reunion,” Meg Reticker

EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“Breaking Bad: Pilot,” Lynne Willingham, A.C.E.

EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“True Blood: Strange Love,” Michael Ruscio, A.C.E. and Andy Keir

EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“Recount,” Alan Baumgarten, A.C.E.

EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION
“24: Redemption,” Scott Powell, A.C.E.

EDITED REALITY SERIES
“Greensburg: The Tornado,”
Leonard Feinstein and Phontaine Judd

STUDENT EDITING COMPETITION
Junna Xiao, American Film Institute