IFJA honors Edward Johnson-Ott

The Indiana Film Journalists Association will honor the memory of its founding member by naming its annual award to Hoosier films and filmmakers after him.

The Indiana Film Journalists Association will honor of the memory of its founding member, Edward Johnson-Ott, by renaming its annual Hoosier Award as the Edward Johnson-Ott Hoosier Award. Johnson-Ott, the longtime film critic for NUVO Newsweekly, passed away last week after a long period of declining health.

The Edward Johnson-Ott Hoosier Award recognizes a significant cinematic contribution by filmmakers with roots in Indiana or a film that depicts Hoosier State locales and stories. The most recent award went to the documentary “Athlete A,” which chronicles the investigative work of Indianapolis Star journalists to uncover widespread sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics.

Johnson-Ott was known for his lifelong passion for film and distinctive writing style that employed personal reflections and shared insights into his own life. In his review of “Finding Dory,” he reflected how the sequel turned the kooky sidekick character in the first movie into the story of a special needs child and how that related to his own relationship with his beloved adopted son.

“Ed was a towering figure in Hoosier journalism, a gifted writer who always put a lot of himself into everything he wrote,” said IFJA spokesman Christopher Lloyd. “We are devastated by this loss, not only of his insight on movies but his unparalleled humanity. The IFJA is proud to attach his name and legacy to the award celebrating Indiana films and filmmakers.”