ActionFest's stated mission was to "recognize, honor and appreciate the remarkable efforts of these amazing people who risk their lives every day to make Hollywood films look exciting and great."
The first annual festival took place at The Carolina Asheville cinema April 15–18, 2010, opening with the world premiere of director Neil Marshall's bloody sword and sandal epic, Centurion.
In its inaugural event, ActionFest began the tradition of giving out awards for achievement in areas of action cinema such as stunt work, 2nd unit directing, and stars on the screen.
The winners of the ActionFest 2010 Jury Awards were: Best Fight Scene: 14 Blades - Teahouse battle between Green Dragon (Donnie Yen) and the Judge of the Sky Eagles (Chen Wu) Best Fight Choreographer: - Larnell Stovall (Undisputed 3) Best Director: - Isaac Florentine (Undisputed 3) Best Film: - Merantau (Directed by Gareth Evans) Drew McWeeny (Hitfix.com) Devin Faraci (chud.com) Colin Geddes (Toronto Midnight Madness) Todd Brown (Twitchfilm.net) Jury President: Chuck Norris ActionFest returned to the Carolina Cinemas Asheville for its second year on April 7–10, 2011 and to shine a light on action films and the stuntmen and women who perform in them.
[4] The ActionFest Award winners for 2012 were: Lifetime Achievement Award: - Mickey Gilbert (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Wild Bunch, The Last of the Mohicans Fight Choreographer of the Year Award: - JJ Perry (Mortal Kombat, Haywire, Get the Gringo, Django Unchained) Man Of Action Award: - Jack Gill (Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Fast Five) Producer of the Year Award: - Courtney Solomon (After Dark Action, Dragon Eyes, Transit) Chick Norris Award: - Gina Carano (Haywire) Rising Action Star Award: - Cung Le (Bodyguards and Assassins, True Legend, Dragon Eyes) Best Car Stunt Of The Decade Award: - Tom Elliott (President, Stunts Unlimited, Criminal Minds) Best Young Stuntman Of The Year Award: - Trevor Habberstad (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises, After Earth) 30 Seconds Of Action - Tim McGaren (Operation C) Best Action Sequence - The Lost Bladesman Best Director - Felix Chong & Alex Mak, The Lost Bladesman Best Picture - I Declare War Best Screenplay - I Declare War Best Villain - James Frain, Transit Spirit Of ActionFest - Manborg Best Fight - Opening Fight Scene in Dragon Eyes Mitch Davis - Fantasia Film Festival Dan Guando - The Weinstein Company Borys Kit - The Hollywood Reporter Marc McCloud - Orbit DVD Eric Vespe - Ain't It Cool News Sadie - The Mountain Notes