MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Three projects with Minnesota connections received awards at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

“The Surrogate” earned an audience award as best U.S. drama as well as a special jury prize for ensemble acting.

The Star Tribune reports Sunday that Alexandria native John Hawks stars in that film, as a man a paralyzed 38-year-old man who hires a sex surrogate to help him lose his virginity.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf had two entries – which were jointly honored with a special jury prize for excellence in independent film producing. “Smashed” is about a Los Angeles schoolteacher who decides to get sober, and “Nobody Walks” is a domestic drama.

Sundance ran through Sunday in Park City, Utah.

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Information from: Star Tribune

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