Film Festivals

PIN CUSHION, SNOWFLAKE, TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID Win Top Awards at 2017 Ithaca Fantastik Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_25554" align="aligncenter" width="816"] SNOWFLAKE producer Eric Sonnenburg holds the Audience Award, International Competition[/caption] The 2017 Ithaca Fantastik film festival in upstate New York closed out its festival of dynamic genre and vanguard cinema, and awarded its Best Film prize to PIN CUSHION directed by Deborah Haywood. SNOWFLAKE was also a big winner, taking the awards for Best Achievement in Directing for Adolfo J. Kolmerer and William James, along with International Competition Audience Award. In addition to film screenings the festival also hosted the return of the 48-Hour Fantastik Film Challenge, which engages teams of students from Ithaca College to produce a genre short over two-days to screen at the festival. This year top honors were awarded to ME, MYSELF, AND DIE by Jyasi Nagel & Em Zarabet by challenge organizers Kevin Fermini and Jack Warner. This year’s jury consisted of artist Gilles Vranckx and locals Bob Proehl, author and arts & culture columnist, and genre film aficionado Woody Chichester. “2017 was truly a fantastic year, we had the chance to be able to screen some of the movies that will stay with me forever, and seeing how tight was the Cinema Pur and Int’l competition Audience awards it seems like our audience felt the same,” said IF fest director Hugues Barbier on the competition selection. “Our jury had a great time talking and debating these movies, and even though it’s been a hard to decide, the awards have been given at the unanimity for each category.” Best Film: PIN CUSHION, dir. Deborah Haywood Best Screenplay: THE ENDLESS, dirs. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead Best Achievement in Directing: Adolfo J. Kolmerer and William James, SNOWFLAKE Best Short: MIRIAM IS GOING TO MARS, dir. Michael Lippert Cinema Pur Audience Award: TIGERS ARE NOT AFRAID, Issa López International Competition Audience Award: SNOWFLAKE, dirs. Adolfo J. Kolmerer and William James
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Whistler Film Festival Signature Series to Honor Kyra Sedgwick and Bill Pullman

The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will shine the spotlight on actress and producer Kyra Sedgwick, and actor Bill Pullman, in it’s Signature Series, which features events that recognize distinguished artists of our time and honors them with an award and or intimate on-stage interview complemented by a feature presentation of their most recent film premiering at the fest. For its 17th edition, WFF celebrates Kyra Sedgwick, who is attending the festival with her directorial debut and Canadian premiere of STORY OF A GIRL and as the Artist Spotlight and Luminary Award honoree. WFF will also honor acclaimed Bill Pullman, who is attending with the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN and as the Artist Tribute and Career Achievement Award honoree. Sedgwick and Pullman join this year’s Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch as well as actors Amanda Crew, Kevin Zegers, Rossif Sutherland and Shiva Negar who will be featured in a new Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent conversation to mark the centennial hosted by Canadian television and radio personality, George Stroumboulopoulos. “WFF’s 2017 honorees represent notable talent at different stages of their careers. Some have created the most memorable stories and characters in recent decades and others have careers about to burst,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Director of Industry Programming, Angie Nolan. “It is such an honor to celebrate this diverse group of inspiring artists at all phases of their creative journey.” Award winning actor Kyra Sedgwick has conquered stage, screen and television. Sedgwick is WFF’s Artist Spotlight honoree and will be receiving a Luminary Award, which recognizes a sublime artist whose body of work continues to inspire while shining a light on meaningful storytelling. Sedgwick has received multiple Golden Globe nominations (2007 win for THE CLOSER), Emmy nominations (2010 win for THE CLOSER), 7 SAG nominations as well as two Independent Spirit Award nominations, a Theater Award, Los Angeles Drama Desk Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award. She is currently starring in and producing ABC’s limited series TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY. She recently appeared in THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, in which she co-stars opposite Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld, produced by James L. Brooks. Sedgwick is attending WFF with the Canadian premiere and her directorial debut, STORY OF A GIRL. The feature, which stars Ryann Shane alongside Sedgwick’s husband and daughter Kevin and Sosie Bacon, was originally produced for Lifetime and is based on a novel by Sara Zarr. With this film, Sedgwick tackles the very topical subject of online shaming and bullying with tact and sensitivity. A tale of personal courage and triumph, STORY OF A GIRL is a coming of age story about a young woman who finds the inner strength to overcome her past in order to become the author of her own future. Sedgwick displays a delicate sensitivity directing a young cast that has to deal with sensitive material at a time when stories like these are more important than ever. Beloved American actor, Bill Pullman of stage, screen and television is WFF’s Tribute guest and the recipient of its’ 2017 Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes a formidable talent in film and television, whose longevity in storytelling and artistic achievement has culminated in a most prolific and inspiring career. Bill Pullman had his film debut in the 1986 film RUTHLESS PEOPLE and has since gone on to star in a multitude of films and television series where he created some of the most memorable characters in recent times. He is most known for his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in INDEPENDENCE DAY as well as his role as Lone Starr in SPACEBALLS. Pullman can currently be seen on the hit USA television show, THE SINNER, which has been this summer’s highest rated show. Other notable film credits include: TROUBLE, WALKING OUT, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, THE EQUALIZER, SURVEILLANCE, THE COVE, BOTTLE SHOCK, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE GRUDGE, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, THE LAST SEDUCTION, MR. JONES, MALICE, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SINGLES, NEWSIES and LOST HIGHWAY. Additional television credits include 1600 PENN, TORCHWOOD and REVELATIONS. Current film releases include Fox’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES, appearing alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, as well as Electric Entertainment’s LBJ in which he appears opposite Woody Harrelson. He is attending the Whistler Film Festival with A24’s western movie and the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN. The Whistler Film Festival will host the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the sixth consecutive year as the final event in its Signature Series program. To celebrate Canada’s 150, WFF’s presents a new event, Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent featuring four Canadian actors to watch who are attending the fest with their latest films in conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos. The roster includes Rossif Sutherland (TRENCH 11), Kevin Zegers (SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING), Amanda Crew (JUGGERNAUT), and Shiva Negar (BECOMING BURLESQUE), all of which are WFF Alumni having attended previous fests except for Shiva Negar. The event will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on December 2 at 1:30PM.
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Anchorage International Film Festival Ten Days of “Films Worth Freezing For” Opens December 1

[caption id="attachment_15665" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Prison Dogs[/caption] The Anchorage International Film Festival (AIFF) will open ten days of “Films Worth Freezing For” beginning Friday, December 1 and continuing through Sunday, December 10, 2017. This year’s festival, showcasing international and local Alaskan films, is the 17th annual iteration of the event. Over 130 films will be hosted at BearTooth Theatrepub, the Alaska Experience Theatre, and E Street Theater (formerly BearSquare Theater), with special events at Williwaw, 49th State Brewing Co. and the Anchorage Museum. The AIFF will open on Friday, December 1, at the BearTooth Theatrepub, with a night of short films, one of the festival’s most popular programs. The showcase of shorts brings a gamut of talent to the screen for a celebration of independent filmmaking. This festive night will include champagne and desserts, the music of Blackwater Railroad Company who wrote the soundtrack for festival selection, Broken Ghost. Said Festival Director, Rebecca Pottebaum, “We are very proud of our film festival, having chosen countless films that will challenge, endear and entertain audiences with their style and depth. Cinema is a gathering place, where we can connect audience members with filmmakers and to each other–and, in turn, to the world at large.” Over three dozen filmmakers travel to Alaska to attend the festival, one of whom is Emmy Award-winning documentarian, Geeta Gandbhir, with her film Prison Dogs. Many AIFF screenings will have directors or cast present to engage with audiences and discuss the films afterward. Numerous filmmakers will visit high school classrooms around Anchorage as guest speakers and workshop providers. Festival highlights include the 5-day Film Royal filmmaking competition, youth films showcase, Martini Matinee, family films, and numerous panels and workshops. Norwegian Sami rapper, Nils Utsi (who performs under the name SlinCraze), raps in a language only 20,000 people speak and he will join the AIFF for Arctic Superstar film screening and a performance. Numerous Alaskan filmmakers will grace the big screen in competition for audience and jury awards.
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Anna Jadowska WILD ROSES Wins Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival

One of the world’s biggest cash prizes for film – the Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival went to Anna Jadowska for her film Wild Roses. Jadowska won the prize worth one million SEK and the award designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Ana Jadowska won “For the sensitive depiction of a mother who refuses to abandon her true self, for the portrait of a revolting child that questions an utterly conservative society, for the visually exquisite style that contrasts with a world plunged in prejudice and moral coercion, the Stockholm Impact Award goes to Anna Jadowska for Wild Roses, a metaphor for human resilience.” “Thank you so much for this award, I’m very honored. A special thanks to the Stockholm International Film Festival, the festival director, organizers, the city, of Stockholm and members of the jury. I had a long and difficult journey with this movie and to receive this award means a lot to me since it will give me the opportunity to do another film” says winning director Anna Jadowska. Director Anna Jadowska presents a powerful story about a woman facing the difficulties of following her own desires in a small, conservative and gossip-filled village. With striking forest imagery that beautifully captures light drizzling through branches, the film is an exceptional portrayal of a woman and her environment. While examining the plights of women in a conservative society, however, Wild Roses is also a touching depiction of the relationship between mother and daughter. The other nominated movies and directors were: Cardinals by Grayson Moore & Aidan Shipley The Last Verse by Ying-Ting Tseng My Pure Land by Sarman Masud Searing Summer by Ebrahim Irajzad The section Stockholm Impact Award is a collaboration between the Stockholm International Film Festival and the City of Stockholm with the purpose to highlight the possibility of film to create change and debate through the depiction of contemporary subjects. The prize amount of one million SEK will help the winner in the development of new film projects. Last year the director Wayne Roberts (USA) won the award for Katie Says Goodbye. 2015 the director Leena Yadav (India) won the award for Parched. Photo: Anna Jadowska – Wild Roses, (pictured center) 2017 Stockholm Impact Award Winner
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Michael Brewer’s THE LAST REVOLUTIONARY to Open 25th African Diaspora International Film Festival

The Last Revolutionary by Michael Brewer will open the 25th anniversary of the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF). The festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a total of 64 films from 31 countries including 31 World, US and NY Premieres. Screenings will be held in three venues in Manhattan: Teachers College, Columbia University, Cinema Village and MIST Harlem. The Last Revolutionary depicts two black men who came together as revolutionaries in the 1970s but whose lives took very different paths. They meet again in a Los Angeles throwback hideout during Obama’s presidency and debate and argue around how to best stop the ongoing attacks from the far right and racist groups around the country. The Last Revolutionary is one of several films in the festival that deal with issues of social justice, activism and police brutality, issues that have been for a long time and continue to be of great concern to communities of colors worldwide. Going back into history are films like Malcolm X : An Overwhelming Influence On The Black Power Movement! – to have its world premiere in ADIFF 2017; Winnie, the award-winning Sundance documentary about Winnie Mandela; Mama Africa: Miriam Makeba about the South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, and Barrow: Freedom Fighter – about the man who led the struggle for Barbados independence after 300 years of British colonialism. Addressing contemporary concerns are Black Cop, a searing political satire about a black cop who seeks revenge after being egregiously profiled and assaulted by his colleagues, Silas about a committed environmental activist from Liberia fighting against land grabbing and environmental destruction in his country. The Valley of the Black Descendants is a documentary about Chileans of African descent fighting to get official recognition from a State that has concealed their culture and African identity for more than 200 years. “Who do we want in the seats” The Last Revolutionary director Brewer says “Anyone who is progressive and sees the need for change. The Last Revolutionary touches on many issues that are happening in the country (and asks): How have things really changed?” “After 25 years of existence, the African Diaspora International Film Festival brings powerful films to New York that touch on many issues that are still very relevant today” says Dr. Reinaldo B. Spech, Co-Director and Chief Curator of ADIFF. “The Last Revolutionary was the perfect film to open our 25th edition. It takes us full circle.” https://vimeo.com/241057946
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MOLLY’S GAME Replaces ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD As Closing Night Film of AFI FEST

Writer/director Aaron Sorkin will be honored by AFI FEST 2017 with a Tribute and his film Molly’s Game will be the new closing night film of the festival. Molly’s Game replaces All the Money in the World which was pulled after allegations of sex misconduct surrounding Kevin Spacey, one of the stars in the film. The Tribute to Sorkin will celebrate his career with a moderated discussion of his work followed by the Gala premiere screening. Written and directed by Sorkin, Molly’s Game stars Academy Award® nominee Jessica Chastain and Idris Elba. Oscar® nominee Jessica Chastain stars in Oscar®-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut, set in the glamorous world of high-stakes underground poker games. DIR Aaron Sorkin. SCR Aaron Sorkin. CAST Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Chris O’Dowd, Bill Camp. “Aaron Sorkin is an American master, and we are proud to shine a proper spotlight on his directoral debut, Molly’s Game, on AFI FEST’s Closing Night,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI FEST Director. “As Sorkin embarks on this next chapter of his career, his talents are timely for a tribute as he brings his gift of crafting compelling narratives and complex characters to the story of female impresario Molly Bloom.” One of our nation’s most acclaimed screenwriters, Aaron Sorkin has been honored with an Academy Award® for Best Adapted Screenplay for THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010) and four Emmys® for THE WEST WING. Additional film credits include A FEW GOOD MEN (1992), MALICE (1993), THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995), CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR (2007), MONEYBALL (2011) and STEVE JOBS (2015). Sorkin has also created and written THE NEWSROOM, SPORTS NIGHT, STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP and THE WEST WING for television. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vu4UPet8Nyc
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SKID ROW MARATHON and STUCK Win Top Prizes at Napa Valley Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_22793" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Skid Row Marathon[/caption] The 7th Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) announced this year’s juried and audience award winners at the Uptown Theatre in Napa on Saturday, November 11, 2017. The Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Stuck, and Skid Row Marathon snagged both the Jury and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature . “We applaud our award winners and thank all of this year’s filmmakers for sharing their beautiful stories with us,” said Festival Co-Founder and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “It has been a tough road getting to this year’s festival, but what a perfect way to celebrate great storytelling in all its forms and to showcase the strength and resilience of our Napa Valley community.”
2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Juried Awards
Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature: Stuck. Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Jury Award for Best Screenplay: The House of Tomorrow. Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast: The Boy Downstairs. Jury Award for Best Narrative Short: The Dam. Jury Award for Best Documentary Short: The Tables. Jury Award for Best Lounge Feature: Quest. Jury Award for Best Lounge Short: The Arrival. Special Jury Award – For Depth and Grace in Documentary Filmmaking: The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin. Special Jury Award – Best Breakout Performance in a Lounge Feature Film: Mackenzie Davis for her work in the film Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town.
2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Audience Awards
Audience Award for Favorite Actor: Gregory Kasyan for his work in the film Quest. Audience Award for Favorite Actress: Olivia Holt for her work in the film Class Rank. Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Honorable Mention goes to 40 years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Short: Make It Work: The Idea. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature: Quest. Honorable Mention goes to Stuck. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Short: The Final Show Honorable Mentions go to Life Boat and Brothers. Audience Award for Favorite Short Feature: Taming Wild: A Girl and a Mustang.
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ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. Starring Denzel Washington Added to AFI FEST 2017

The final version of ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. has been added to the AFI FEST 2017 lineup and will screen in the Special Screenings section on Wednesday, November 15, at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The new film from director/writer Dan Gilroy, nominated for the Academy Award® for his screenplay for NIGHTCRAWLER, stars Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, Colin Farrell and Carmen Ejogo. The screening will be preceded by Dan Gilroy’s Los Angeles, a conversation with the director/writer of ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ. and NIGHTCRAWLER that will explore the extraordinary and personal way in which Gilroy brings Los Angeles to life as a character in his films. In ROMAN J. ISRAEL, ESQ., Denzel Washington stars as a driven, idealistic defense attorney whose life is upended when his mentor, a civil rights icon, dies. When he is recruited to join a firm led by one of the legendary man’s former students — the ambitious lawyer George Pierce (Colin Farrell) — and begins a friendship with a young champion of equal rights (Carmen Ejogo), a turbulent series of events ensue that will put the activism that has defined Roman’s career to the test. Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, the film is produced by Jennifer Fox, Todd Black and Denzel Washington. AFI FEST takes place November 9–16, 2017, in the heart of Hollywood. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGVIKqbEtdU
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Austin Film Festival Announces 2017 Audience Award Winners . COMING TO MY SENSES Wins Courage Award

[caption id="attachment_25474" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Coming to My Senses[/caption] The Austin Film Festival announced its 2017 Hiscox Audience and Courage Award Winners. The 2017 Hiscox Courage Award went to Coming to My Senses, directed by Dominic Gill. Coming to My Senses is a documentary feature that follows Aaron Baker, a man who faces insurmountable odds and learns to walk again after breaking his neck in a motocross accident, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Voted on by the audience, the Hiscox Courage Award is presented to the work that best embodies the virtue of courage and to the filmmaker who best embraced the risk to share the story.
2017 Austin Film Festival Hiscox Audience Award winners
Narrative Feature: Beauty Mark, written by Harris Doran Documentary Feature (tie): Transformer, directed by Michael Del Monte Documentary Feature (tie): Mr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End, directed by Pablo Bryant Dark Matters Feature: The Landing, written by David Dodson and Mark Dodson Comedy Vanguard Feature: Don’t Talk to Irene, written by Pat Mills Narrative Short: So Much Yellow, written by Erica Milsom Documentary Short: So Damn Glad, directed by Justin Lubke Animated Short: Negative Space, written by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata Narrative Student Short: Towards the Sun, written by Elie Choufany and Monica Santis Scripted Digital Series: Cleaner Daze, created by Tess Sweet and Daniel Gambelin Marquee Feature: Mudbound, written by Dee Rees and Virgil Williams Marquee Television: The Deuce (S1E08: “My Name is Ruby”), written by George Pelecanos and David Simon
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SUN DOGS and RESISTANCE IS LIFE Win Top Awards at Savannah Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_25430" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Sun Dogs[/caption] Sun Dogs and Resistance is Life won the top prizes at the 20th anniversary SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Eleven awards were handed out to the competition films winners during a celebratory luncheon, held at the historic Olde Pink House.
2017 SCAD Savannah Film Festival Award Winners

Narrative and Documentary Features
Best Narrative Feature: Sun Dogs (USA) – Intellectually limited from an accident at birth, Ned Chipley has failed four times to join the Marines. He teams up with a young runaway and the two surveil a group of young men they mistake as terrorists. The pair’s misadventures lead to the unexpected discovery that sometimes the greatest purpose in life can present itself in the most unlikely of places. Director: Jennifer Morrison Best Director: Ian Hunt Duffy, Gridlock (Ireland) – During a traffic jam on a country road, a little girl goes missing from one of the cars. Her father desperately forms a search party to find her, and soon everyone is a suspect. Director Ian Hunt Duffy Best Documentary Feature: Resistance is Life (Syria/Turkey/USA) – From a refugee camp on the Turkish–Syrian border, 8-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of her homeland’s resistance against jihadists. Her heroes, the Kurdish female fighters, are defending the city of Kobane against ISIS militants. Evlin takes us on a journey that introduces many different faces of the resistance, provides a unique look at the spirit behind the first major victory against ISIS and shows us that hope and resilience prevail even in the most tragic circumstances. Director: Apo W. Bazidi Special Jury Award: Best Family Documentary: Through the Windmill (USA)- Explore the history of miniature golf in the U.S., and how these unique, family-friendly roadside attractions have evolved over the last 100 years. Hear from the talented people who design, build and operate them in interviews with top designers, players and historians. Director Amanda Kulkoski Best Editing: Five Minutes (USA) – A progressive elementary school’s parenting class takes an unexpected and dramatic turn. Director Justine Bateman
Professional Shorts
Best Animated Short: Follow Your Heart (USA) – In a world where people’s hearts are detached from their bodies and are like pets, Mary loses “Skip,” only to rediscover herself and learn what it means to follow your heart. Director Rob O’Neill Best Narrative Short: The Silent Child (UK) – In rural England, a profoundly deaf four-year-old girl named Libby lives in a world of silence until a caring social worker teaches her the gift of communication. Director Chris Overton Special Jury Award: Stop Motion Animation Poles Apart (UK) – An unlikely meeting occurs between Nanuk, a tough female polar bear, and Aklak, an enthusiastic male grizzly bear, brought together by their changing habitats. Director Paloma Baeza
Student Awards
Best Student Short: It’s Just a Gun (USA) – When a young boy finds a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, it sets in motion a series of events that will change him forever. Director: Brain Robau Special Jury Award: Poles Apart (USA) – An unlikely meeting occurs between Nanuk, a tough female polar bear, and Aklak, an enthusiastic male grizzly bear, brought together by their changing habitats. Director Paloma Baeza Silver Screen Society Award (Best Short Film by a SCAD Student): I Have Something to Tell You (USA) – Adrain Chesser, a fine-art photographer, uses his work to cope with his HIV/AIDS diagnosis in this acclaimed portrait series. Director Dumaine Babcock and Ben Joyner Best Student Animation: Icky (Iran) – In a world of people with a Rubik’s cube head, there is one kid who is different than the others. Director Parastoo Cardgar
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ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD Starring Kevin Spacey Pulled as Closing Night Film of AFI FEST

After the explosive (still exploding) allegations of sexual harassment and assault involving actor Kevin Spacey, his latest film All the Money in the World has been pulled as the closing night film of AFI FEST. The festival released a statement: “AFI Fest celebrates film as a collaborative art form. We support Sony’s decision to postpone the premiere in order to ensure the thousands of people who worked together on this film are honored at a proper time and in a proper light.” Sony’s TriStar Pictures also released a statement, “‘All the Money in the World’ is a superb film and more than worthy of its place of honor in the AFI Fest. But given the current allegations surrounding one of its actors and out of respect for those impacted, it would be inappropriate to celebrate at a gala at this difficult time. Accordingly, the film will be withdrawn. However, a film is not the work of one person. There are over 800 other actors, writers, artists, craftspeople and crew who worked tirelessly and ethically on this film, some for years, including one of cinema’s master directors. It would be a gross injustice to punish all of them for the wrongdoings of one supporting actor in the film. Accordingly, the film will open wide as planned on December 22.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x62O8A8qHw
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A TAXI DRIVER Wins Best Picture + Top Awards at Asian World Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_22990" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] A Taxi Driver[/caption] The 3rd Asian World Film Festival came to a close with George Takei’s Allegiance: The Broadway Musical on the Big Screen. A Taxi Driver was the top film of the 2017 Festival, winning the award for Best Picture, along with a Special Mention to actress Kang-ho Song for her performance in the film. The film was also awarded Dr. Kim’s ‘He Can Do She Can Do’ Award.
The AWFF Jury Awards
Snow Leopard Best Picture: A Taxi Driver (Dir: Jang Joon, Republic of Korea) Snow Leopard Best Actor: Actor and director, Aktan Arym Kubat in Centaur, (Kyrgyzstan) Snow Leopard Best Actress: Anoma Janadari in Burning Birds (Dir: Sanjeewa Pushpaumara, Sri Lanka). A Special Mention was given to Kang-ho Song in A Taxi Driver. Snow Leopard Special Jury Award: Mad World (Dir: Wong Chun, Hong Kong). Snow Leopard Audience Award was given to Ayla: The Daughter of War (Dir: Can Ulkay, Turkey). Snow Leopard Best New Director Award was awarded to two winners: Scary Mother Dir: Ana Urushadze (Georgia); and How Victor “The Garlic” Took Alexey “The Stud” To The Nursing Home Dir: Alexander Hant (Russia).
Other awards
Dr. Kim’s ‘He Can Do She Can Do’ Award, and cash prize of $10,000 was awarded to A Taxi Driver (Dir: Jang Hoon,Republic of Korea). The Snow Leopard Rising Star Award was presented to Sreymoch Sareum for her role in First They Killed My Father. The film’s director, producer and co-screenwriter Angelina Jolie and co-screenwriter and executive producer, Loung Ong, accepted the award on Sreymoch’s behalf at a special screening of the film . The Spirit Award for Dedication and Passion was given to Vietnamese actress Ha Phuong; and the Murray Weissman Poster Art Award was given to Little Gandhi (Dir: Sam Kadi, Syria; designer: Brian A. Metcalf). Little Gandhi is Syria’s 2017 Foreign Language Film Oscar contender. George Takei was honored with the Snow Leopard Lifetime Achievement Award for his activism work within the LBGTQ community.
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