The French Canadian film Henri Henri, written and directed by Martin Talbot, with Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run), won the 2015 Jury Award-Best Feature at the 20th Stony Brook Film Festival.
Raised in an orphanage, Henri has spent his life maintaining the lights of the convent he calls home. But now that the convent is closing, he is forced to learn how to survive in the real world. Armed with only innocence and sincerity, Henri sets out to bring light to all those he encounters.
Secrets of War (Oorlogsgeheimen) from the Netherlands that tells the story of best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village, won the 2015 Audience Choice-Best Feature. It was directed by Dennis Bots, and written by Karen van Holst Pellekaan, based on the novel by Jacques Vriens. With Maas Bronkhuyzen, Joes Brauers and Pippa Allen.
Tuur and Lambert are best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village who pass their days playing soldiers and exploring caves. When Maartje joins their class, the boys welcome her into their world of adventure and secrets. But the realities of war cause them to realize there are even deeper secrets to discover, with dire consequences for those who keep them. Secrets Of War puts both the danger and the humanity of wartime friendships squarely on the shoulders of three children who must face extraordinary circumstances with a maturity far beyond their years.
Winners of the 20th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union
Henri Henri
2015 Jury Award-Best Feature
Stony Brook Film Festival hosted the New York Premiere of the charming feature film Henri Henri from French Canada. Written and directed by Martin Talbot. With Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais (Sarah Prefers to Run). Produced by Caroline Héroux, Christian Larouche. From Seville International. Martin Talbot, Victor Andrés Trelles Turgeon and Sophie Desmarais attended the premiere screening. Accepting the award was Martin Talbot, presnt at the Closing Night Awards reception.
Secrets of War
2015 Audience Choice-Best Feature
Secrets of War (Oorlogsgeheimen) from the Netherlands that tells the story of best friends in a Nazi-occupied Dutch village. It was directed by Dennis Bots, and written by Karen van Holst Pellekaan, based on the novel by Jacques Vriens. With Maas Bronkhuyzen, Joes Brauers and Pippa Allen. Produced by David-Jan Bijker, Reinier Selen, Harro van Staverden. A Rinkel Film Production. From Film Movement. Director Dennis Bots sent an acceptance speech, noting that his grandmother was active in the Dutch resistance and that her stories inspired the film.
Thicker than Paint
Maryam Sepehri
2015 Achievement in Filmmaking
The New York Premiere of the documentary, Thicker than Paint, immerses the viewer in the life of an artist in Iran. Habibeh Bedayat is a mother, a teacher, a wife and a self-taught artist. Maryam Sepehri created a moving and very personal documentary, a complex story of sacrifice, creativity and the perseverance of the human spirit. Produced by Anita Alkhas and Payman Fotovat. Writer/director Maryam Sepehri from Iran attended the premiere screening and attending Closing Night to accept the award.
This Isn’t Funny
Paul Ashton & Katie Page
2015 Spirit of Independent Filmmaking Award
Paul Ashton and Katie Page had their hand in every aspect of the touching comedy This Isn’t Funny. They were the main actors with Paul Ashton directing. Together they wrote the screenplay and were among the producers, including Paul Ashton, Maria Menounos, Katie Page, Lije Sarki and Keven Undergaro. Filmmakers Paul Ashton and Katie Page attended the East Coast Premiere screening. Executive producer Pierce Cravens attended Closing Night to accept the award and a video acceptance was received from Paul and Katie. . An Easy Open Production. Distributed by Candy Factory Films.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhl7cG0hz58
Cops & Robbers
2015 Audience Award-Best Short
The amusing short film featured a Long Island native in the lead role. Eddie Alfano plays an actor who would like to be the ‘bad guy’ in a film instead of a cop. Directed by Marco Ragozzino. Written by and starring Deer Park, Long Island’s Eddie Alfano, who attended the screening and was on hand to accept the award on Closing Night.
Day One
2015 Jury Award-Best Short
A short film written and directed by Henry Hughes, produced by Michael Steiner. The riveting Day One, a U.S. and Afganistan film, shares a harrowing experience of a woman interpreter on the first day of her job in that country.
The beautiful Closing Night film from Quebec, Canada, The Passion of Augustine, directed by Léa Pool, received recognition, with actresses Céline Bonnier and Valérie Blais attending the awards ceremony.