Film Festivals

Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Reveals Lineup of Films for 2013

Aurora

The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF) running concurrently with the Comic-Con International in San Diego unveiled the lineup of films for 2013. The CCI-IFF celebrates independent film, and this year’s schedule including more international films, with submissions from Australia, Canada, Israel, and Spain, in addition to the United States. Now in its 14th year, the CCI-IFF is a juried event – the 2013 judges are: Geoff Boucher, Alex DeMille, and Kathy Najimy.

Films on the lineup include:

AURORA – After his wife is kidnapped by a group of slave traders, Emerson Marks, captain of the airship Aurora, must decide what he is willing to sacrifice in order to bring her back. Participating filmmakers include Chris Kellett and Jeremy Kelly-Bakker (Australian co-creators).

DUST OF WAR – In a post-apocalyptic American Frontier, a soldier fends off a brutal warmonger to rescue a girl fated as the savior of humanity. It’s like Star Wars but on the prairie. Participating filmmakers include Doug Jones (Hellboy 1 & 2), Tony Todd (Candyman), Gary Graham (Star Trek Enterprise), and Andrew Kightlinger (writer/director).

PROJECT ARBITER – A WWII sci-fi espionage story about a top secret O.S.S. unit. Captain Joseph Colburn is tasked with using a prototype invisibility suit to infiltrate a mysterious villa on the Polish border. Colburn’s mission abruptly begins when his plane is shot down. What is in the villa? What is Mixture 9? Participating filmmakers include Michael Chance (writer/director),Vicki de Mey (producer), Jason Beckwith(cinematographer), and Jesse Boots (VFX supervisor).

THE END OF DATES – Dennis is finally on a date with the girl of his dreams. As he summons the courage for that first kiss, will a catastrophic alien attack on Earth ruin his perfect moment? Participating filmmakers include Kyle Stafford (writer/director), Mike Mangan(FX supervisor), and Dave Child and Brooke Lenzi(co-stars).

BLIND LUCK – On an afternoon walk with his owner, a seeing-eye dog momentarily shirks his duties and must choose between his owner and his favorite toy. Participating panelist include Diane Aarts (creator).

HOUSE OF MONSTERS – A mummy seeks relief with moisturizer, trying to regain the vitality of his youth to impress a special lady. Participating panelist include Dawn Brown (director).

THE ART OF PHO – A moving and surreal story about a lovable creature named Little Blue and his friends. An extraordinary sequence of events brings Little Blue to Vietnam’s bustling capital Ho Chi Minh City, a.k.a. Saigon, where he learns to master the art of making Pho-Vietnam’s ubiquitous national noodle dish. The adventures that ensue set him on a marvelous path of self-discovery.

SUMMER BUMMER – A man about to go swimming imagines what horrors could be lurking deep in the waters of his backyard pool. Bill Plympton(director/animator) talks about his film.

LAKE BEAST – A childhood vision compels a man to explore the bottom of a toxic lake. Vance Reeser(Summer) talks about his film.

PADAK – A film about the lives of fish in a seafood restaurant-some fish accept their fate, while others fight to change it. Participating filmmakers include Austin Osueke (producer) and Jongmin Shin(producer).

See the full lineup and schedule.
Read more
“COUNTERFEIT CULTURE” “HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS” Among Grand Prix Best of Festival Winners at 2013 US International Film & Video Festival

COUNTERFEIT CULTURE

Three films received the Grand Prix-Best of Festival designation at the 2013 US International Film & Video Festival; “SWEET TOKYO” was chosen Best of Festival-Corporate, “HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS” was selected Best of Festival – Documentary, and Best of Festival – Entertainment went to “STARS.” The documentary “COUNTERFEIT CULTURE” was selected for the One World Award, which recognizes a production that fosters international cooperation and global understanding.

The visually powerful “HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS” from Terra Mater Factual Studios and Free Spirit Films Production, Vienna, was selected Best of Festival – Documentary. It follows the 1,000-kilomenters journey of 14 million ruby-throated hummingbirds and was published by UK TV. The film was written and directed by Paul Reddish. Executive producer was Ivo Filatsch, and narrator was David Attenborough.

Best of Festival – Entertainment went to “STARS,” produced by LLeju Productions in Houston and not yet released. The story line follows a young man on a drunken road trip during which he contemplates suicide until the adventure exposes him to the simple beauty of life. Director was Derek Borte and writer was Jim Janosky. Mark Kassen, Tom Bower, and Kathryn Hahn head the cast.

The One World Award, went to “COUNTERFEIT CULTURE,” a documentary on the $700-billion world of fake products, including counterfeit pharmaceuticals, electronic goods, car parts and microchips. The film was produced by Tell Tale Productions, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and shot on location in Canada, the USA, Asia and Europe. “Counterfeit Culture” challenges consumers to take a deeper look at what appear to be harmless knock-offs at bargain prices. Film director was Halifax-based Geoff D’Eon.

“SWEET TOKYO,” produced by Seed Audio-Visual Communication AG, Zurich, for Confiseur Läderach AG, Ennenda, Switzerland, was chosen Best of Festival-Corporate. The production features Läderach chocolates representatives traveling to Japan on business, but the people they meet are not who they expected. That doesn’t stop them from showing the delights of the candies and providing humor for the viewer. Luki Frieden directed with Felix Courvosier as producer and Michael Saxer, director of photography.

http://youtu.be/RsDBXn_yy5o
Read more
Frameline Film Festival Audience Selects “REACHING FOR THE MOON” “THE NEW BLACK” “DIK” as Best Films of 2013 Festival

REACHING FOR THE MOON directed by Bruno Barreto

Frameline film festival’s audience selected REACHING FOR THE MOON, directed by Bruno Barreto as the Best Feature Film, and THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen as the Best Documentary Film of the 2013 festival. DIK, directed by Christopher Stollery was selected as the Best Short Film. Since 1984 the audience at the the world’s longest running LGBT film festival has been responsible for selecting the Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Short Film of the Festival.

REACHING FOR THE MOON, directed by Bruno Barreto tells the story of poet Elizabeth Bishop and her life-changing relationship with the wealthy—and very butch—architect Lota de Macedo Soares. THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen which also received an Honorable Mention, Outstanding Documentary, gives an inside look at efforts within African American communities and churches across the country to address—and then do something about—same-sex equality.

Frameline37 AT&T Audience Awards

Best Feature Film
REACHING FOR THE MOON, directed by Bruno Barreto

Best Documentary Film
THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen

Best Short Film
DIK, directed by Christopher Stollery

Frameline37 Juried Awards

Frameline37 Wells Fargo First Feature Award
OUT IN THE DARK, directed by Michael Mayer

Honorable Mention, First Feature
CONCUSSION, directed by Stacie Passon

Outstanding Documentary
VALENTINE ROAD, directed by Marta Cunningham

Honorable Mention, Outstanding Documentary
THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen

Honorable Mention, Outstanding Documentary
BIG JOY: THE ADVENTURES OF JAMES BROUGHTON, directed by Eric Slade, Stephen Silha & Dawn Logsdson
Read more
SHORT TERM 12″ and “LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM” Among Winning Films at 2013 Nantucket Film Festival

Short Term 12

The 18th annual Nantucket Film Festival which ran June 25 -30, 2013, is all over and announced its awards – with the top awards as usual honoring screenwriters. The top award – Showtime Tony Cox Award for Best Screenwriting in a Feature Film was awarded to Destin Daniel Cretton’s “SHORT TERM 12.” Winner of the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at SXSW, SHORT TERM 12 is described as the touching and uplifting story of Grace, a twenty-something social worker. Her newest ward, Jayden, forces Grace to relive her own difficult upbringing just as she and her boyfriend Mason are on the cusp of making a decision that will change their lives. Funny, moving, and surprising, the film delivers an emotional powerhouse through tremendous performances and a smart script.

As for popular favorite films at the festival, the Audience Award for Best Feature Film went to Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine’s documentary film “LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM.” When their son, Sam, was diagnosed with progeria, an extremely rare and fatal disease characterized by accelerated aging symptoms, doctors Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns were told simply to enjoy him while they could. Instead, they spearheaded a campaign that has led to amazing discoveries, and Sam is turning 17 this year. LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM is an inspiring and heartwarming film about the power of family and making the most of the time we are given.

The list of award winning films at the 2013 Nantucket Film Festival:

The Showtime Tony Cox Award for Best Screenwriting in a Feature Film: Destin Daniel Cretton’s “SHORT TERM 12.”

The Showtime Tony Cox Award for Best Screenwriting in a Short Film: Goran Dukic’s “WHAT DO WE HAVE IN OUR POCKETS?”

Audience Award for Best Feature Film: Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine’s “LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM”

Audience Award for Best Short Film: PES’ “FRESH GUACAMOLE”

Teen View Award: Matthew Bonifacio’s “FORTUNE HOUSE”

The Vimeo Award for Best Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler, “FRUITVALE STATION“

Adrienne Shelley Excellence in Filmmaking Award: “OUR NIXON“

Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competition Award (Feature Film): “CAKE,” by Patrick Tobin

Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Award (Short Film): “THE BRAVEST, THE BOLDEST,” by Moon Molson and Eric Fallen

Nantucket Film Festival Best Short Film: Mick Andrews and Brett O’ Gorman’s “DOTTY”

Screenwriter’s Tribute: David O. Russell

New Voices in Screenwriting Award: Lake Bell

A&E Special Achievement in Documentary Storytelling Award: Barbara Kopple

Hour-Long TV Pilot Award: “THE MESSIAH PROJECT,” by David Baugnon

Half-Hour TV Pilot Award, “TIME OUT,” by Ian McWethy
Read more
THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER and THE WITNESSES OF THE WAR Win Top Film Prizes at 2013 Barcelona International Film Festival

THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER directed by Michelle Mower

“THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER” won the Grand Jury Prize Narrative Film, and “THE WITNESSES OF THE WAR” won the Grand Jury Prize Documentary at the 2013 Barcelona International Film Festival. Directed by Michelle Mower, THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER is the story of Hannah White, the estranged daughter of a small town minister who is forced to return to the strict, religious home of her youth where she must confront the troubled relationships that caused her to leave four years before. “THE WITNESSES OF THE WAR” directed by Sami Solmaz, focuses on what is described as a lasting war in Turkey- off staged and not clarified by the state for some 27 years. In the West, the truth about what has been going on Kurdish territories for 27 years is far from exposed. The national mainstream media networks only broadcast the footage and the texts authorized by the state. The news to be broadcasted is designated by the government and the general staff.

2013 Barcelona Film Festival Winners:

The El Rey Awards

Michelle Mower, Director, “THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER” Grand Jury Prize Narrative Film. The Preacher’s Daughter is the story of Hannah White, the estranged daughter of a small town minister who is forced to return to the strict, religious home of her youth where she must confront the troubled relationships that caused her to leave four years before.

Sami Solmaz, Director, “THE WITNESSES OF THE WAR” Grand Jury Prize Documentary. There is a lasting war in Turkey- off staged and not clarified by the state for some 27 years. In the West, the truth about what has been going on Kurdish territories for 27 years is far from exposed. The national mainstream media networks only broadcast the footage and the texts authorized by the state. The news to be broadcasted is designated by the government and the general staff.

Brian Patrick Lim, Writer, “CHASING FIRE” Grand Jury Prize Screenplay. Living behind the shadow of her mother, Kristin falls in love with Shane, an aspiring musician, whom she soon discovers to have something innately in common with her.

Yasmine Perni, Director, “THE STONES CRY OUT” Special Jury Prize Narrative Film. The Stones Cry Out gives a detailed account of the historical, cultural, and political place occupied by Christians in the recent history of the Palestinian nation, and in its struggle against colonialism.

Sara Jegeman, Director, “STAR” Special Jury Prize Documentary. The entertainer Bianca Fox is at the centerpiece of this portrait. Born in South Africa as a colored boy, she quickly understood that she was living in the wrong body.

Allan Petersen, Director, “DEAD MAN’S BURDEN” Special Jury Prize Screenplay. The year is 1870, and a fragmented America still strains to pick up the pieces from a savage Civil War. Martha (exciting newcomer Clare Bowen) and her husband Heck (David Call, “Tiny Furniture”) are living on a homestead Martha’s father purchased on the rural New Mexico frontier and struggle to make ends meet. When a mining company expresses interest in buying their land, Martha and Heck see their ticket to a better life.

El Rey Award for Excellence in Cinematography: CHELSEA-BARELONA directed by Alexandros Chantzis
El Rey Award for Excellence in Film Direction: A RIGHT PAIR directed by Annabel Herbert
El Rey Award for Excellence in Film Editing: Se Safando “GETTING AWAY WITH IT” directed by Taganyahu Swaby
El Rey Award for Excellence in Documentary Narrative Filmmaking: ADDICTION directed by Christoph Toelle and Torsten Koenigs
El Rey Award for Excellence in Documentary Short Filmmaking: LoveLife6958 Documentary directed by Christopher Syrus
El Rey Award for Excellence in Dramatic Narrative: LOVE COMES AFTER directed by Hadzi-Aleksandar Djurovic
El Rey Award for Excellence in Experimental Filmmaking: MASK TRIP CORE EDIT directed by Yoshi Higashi El Rey Award for Excellence in Short Filmmaking: ISLAND QUEEN directed by Ben Mallaby
El Rey Award for Excellence in Television Filmmaking: THE FREUDIAN HOTEL directed by Paul Pawlowski
El Rey Award for Excellence in Music Video: UBAH directed by Rizal Karim
El Rey Award for Excellence in Student Filmmaking: ALL ABOUT HER directed by Jihad Saade
El Rey Award for Excellence in Acting in a Lead Role: IS THAT THE QUESTION? directed by Joanne Rousset
El Rey Award for Excellence in Acting in a Supporting Role: REQUIEM OF HOME directed by Abigail Wang
El Rey Award for Excellence in Narrative Short Filmmaking: VICE directed by Nick Archer

The Gold Lion Awards

BIG BEAST directed by Thomas C. Bingham
“IT’S BETTER TO JUMP” directed by Patrick Stewart
A BAUL THE BAUL directed by Samim Ansari
ECSTASY OF ST. AGNES directed by Slawomir Milewski
REARVIEW directed by Robert Gulassarian
CLOSURE directed by Desmond Devenish
WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG BLACK WOLF? directed by Janez Lapajne
YOU WILL BE MY ALLY directed by Rosine Mfetgo Mbakam
CORN directed by Evan Gaiswinkler and Brett Erina
LAND OF TIGER, TIDE & ARABIAN GODDESS directed by Moushumi Basu

The Castell Awards

DAUÐALOGN directed by Iva Landau
EVERYTHING LIKE ALWAYS directed by Peter Leder
THE RUNNER directed by Saeed Taji Farouky
CUBA CUBA CUBA directed by Kazuko Nishikawa
JOURNEY INTO THE LIGHT – Bleijendijk Estate directed by Jacobien Schreurs
ENCARNACIÓN directed by Tanja Nabben
OUT IN THE COLD directed by Graham Marshall
LOST IN LAOS directed by Alessandro Zunino
PHOTOSHOPPING directed by Mark Davenport
MR LONDON directed by Andrew Bone

Official Finalists

HUMAN VESSEL directed by Sissi Deng
THE WITNESS JENYA directed by Eugenia Sakevych Dallas
TO CHRIS MARKER: AN UNSENT LETTER directed by Emiko Omori
A LIFE WORTH LIVING – PUSHING THE LIMITS OF DUCHENNE directed by Annie Perkins
ONLY IN L.A. directed by Jus Riddick
AGNUS DEI directed by Agim Sopi
HIOB directed by Marco Gadge
LADY COSMIC DREAM directed by Joanne Rousset
A BIT OLDER AND A LITTLE BIT TALLER directed by Manlio Roseano
EVERYBODY SOMETIMES FALLS directed by Villi Hermann

Screenplay Competition

1st Place: THE TIDES OF LOVE written by A M Zweiback
2nd Place: THE LIBERATOR PILOT written by Chris Burdza
3rd Place: CALL ME SHINE written by Pedro Canais
4th Place: EINSATZGRUPPEN written by Paul Pawlowski
5th Place: MORE THAN ETERNITY written by Maciej Rogala

Honorable Mentions

DHAMPIRA: THE VAMPIRE’S DAUGHTER written by Eduardo Soto-Falcon
FISH OUT OF WATER written by Bonnie Anderson
BREAKING BAD: REDEMPTION written by Andreas Tihanyi
SOLO written by Marc Henauer

Read more
“LEVIATHAN” “A WORLD NOT OURS” “FIRE IN THE NIGHT” Win Top Film Awards at 2013 Edinburgh International Film Festival

A WORLD NOT OURS (ALAM LAYSA LANA) directed by Mahdi Fleifel

“LEVIATHAN” directed by Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel, described as a stunning documentary that immerses the audience in the sights and sounds of commercial fishing in the North Atlantic won the The Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film at the 2013 Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). “A WORLD NOT OURS” (ALAM LAYSA LANA), directed by Mahdi Fleifel – a personal look into the 70,000 people living in Ain el-Helweh the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon, won the The Award for Best Film in the International Competition. The Audience Award was won by “FIRE IN THE NIGHT” directed by Anthony Wonke – about the world’s worst offshore disaster – 6 July 1988, disaster on the North Sea oil rig Piper Alpha.

The winners of the EIFF 2013 Awards.

The Michael Powell Award for Best British Feature Film
LEVIATHAN

The Audience Award, supported by Sainsbury’s Bank
FIRE IN THE NIGHT

The Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film
Jamie Blackley (uwantme2killhim?)
Toby Regbo (uwantme2killhim?)

The Award for Best Film in the International Competition
A WORLD NOT OURS

The Student Critics Jury Award, supported by James & Morag Anderson
CELESTIAL WIVES OF THE MEADOW MARI (Nebesnye Ženy Lugovykh Mari)

The McLaren Award for New British Animation, supported by the British Council
MARILYN MYLLER by Mikey Please

The Award for Best Short Film
GHL by Lotte Schreiber

The Award for Creative Innovation in a Short Film
DOLL PARTS by Muzi Quawson

The Award for Outstanding Individual Contribution to a Short Film
Josh Gibson – Director of Photography, LIGHT PLATE
Read more
“AFRICAN GOTHIC” based on Reza de Wet’s master piece – Diepe Grond – to premiere at Durban International Film Festival

Connie Jackson as Alina, the housekeeper, Damon Shalit as Frikkie and Chella Ferrow as Sussie in African Gothic directed by Gabriel Bologna which will have its SA Premiere at DIFF

AFRICAN GOTHIC, the new international film version of Reza de Wet’s iconic masterpiece, Diepe Grond, will have its South African and African premiere at the 2013 Durban International Film Festival.

Chella Ferrow as Sussie and Damon Shalit as Frikkie in African Gothic directed by Gabriel Bologna, which will have its SA Premiere at DIFF

AFRICAN GOTHIC, directed by Gabriel Bologna, is described as a gritty, poignant drama set in a decaying farmhouse in the desolate heart of the parched Free State, about a dangerous and passionate relationship between deeply troubled lovers, their benign domestic worker and a hapless lawyer who pays them a visit. The production features two South African-born actors from Johannesburg who play the pivotal roles of Frikkie and Sussie: Damon Shalit plays the menacing Frikkie, and Chella Ferrow plays his beautiful and complex, sweetheart from childhood.

The Durban International Film Festival takes place in Durban, South Africa from July 18 to 28, 2013.

http://youtu.be/YscH8QR5hhc
Read more
“THE NEW BLACK” and “SLOMO” Win Audience Awards at AFI DOCS

THE NEW BLACK directed by Yoruba Richen

THE NEW BLACK directed by Yoruba Richen received the Audience Award for Best Feature, and SLOMO directed by Joshua Izenberg received the Audience Award for Best Short at AFI DOCS presented by Audi (formerly Silverdocs). The festival announced the Audience Award winners earlier today wrapping up the five day festival. THE NEW BLACK examines how African-American voters have become bitterly divided on the issue of gay marriage because of homophobia rampant in one of the pillars of the African-American community – the church. Focusing on the fight for marriage equality in Maryland, it argues that this hot-button issue is a matter of civil rights.

SLOMO directed by Joshua Izenberg

This year’s Audience Award for Best Short went to SLOMO directed by Joshua Izenberg. The film asks what would really happen if you quit your lucrative job and just did what you wanted all day, like subject John Kitchin, a doctor who traded his medical practice for rollerblades and sandy beaches, and explores the neurological and spiritual joys of slow acceleration.

Read more
Actress Meg Ryan Honored at 2013 Taormina Film Festival

Actress Meg Ryan was honored with the Taormina Arte Award Lancia at the 2013 Taormina Film Festival in Italy.
Read more
Actress Marisa Tomei Honored at 2013 Taormina Film Festival

Actress Marisa Tomei attended the 2013 Taormina Film Festival in Italy where she was honored with the Taormina City Prize.
Read more
French Films “DELICATE GRAVITY” and “STRANGER BROTHERS” Take Top Awards at 2013 Palm Springs International ShortFest

DELICATE GRAVITY

French films took the top prizes at the 2013 Palm Springs International ShortFest – DELICATE GRAVITY (Délicate Gravité) directed by Philippe André was awarded the BEST OF FESTIVAL AWARD, and STRANGER BROTHERS (Faux Frères) directed by Lucas Delangle was awarded the BEST OF FESTIVAL AWARD. Both films are now eligible to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Oscar consideration.

The 2013 Palm Springs International ShortFest award winners are:

JURY AWARDS

BEST OF FESTIVAL AWARD
DELICATE GRAVITY (Délicate Gravité) (France), Philippe André
Yvan Attal and Anne Parillaud are wonderful as two lonely spirits who come together by chance when a cell phone call to a wrong number provides the catalyst for a meeting.

PANAVISION GRAND JURY AWARD
STRANGER BROTHERS (Faux Frères) (France), Lucas Delangle
Guillaume returns to the village where he grew up to pick up the car he inherited from his father years before. Once there, he encounters his step brother, and things get a little more complicated.

FUTURE FILMMAKER AWARD – Winner received a $2,000 cash prize and a GoPro Hero 3 Camera courtesy of Radiant Images.
RHINO FULL THROTTLE (Nashorn Im Galopp) (Germany), Erick Schmitt
Bruno roams the streets of Berlin, gazing behind the many facades and surfaces as he seeks the soul of the city. Unexpectedly, he meets an ally in his quest and immediately falls in love. But she is also on a quest, and it’s one that has her leaving Bruno and Berlin very soon.

Jury Special Mention – The jury would like to give a special mention to the short film The Wall from Norway for its grit, humanity and creativity.

AUDIENCE AWARDS

AUDIENCE FAVORITE LIVE ACTION SHORT
WALKING THE DOGS (UK), Jeremy Brock
Emma Thompson stars as Queen Elizabeth in this delicious rendering of the infamous 1982 incident in which a man broke into the Queen’s bedroom while her security guard was out in the palace grounds walking the dogs.

Runner-up – GREAT (Germany), Andreas Henn

AUDIENCE FAVORITE DOCUMENTARY SHORT
NOT ANYMORE: A STORY OF REVOLUTION (USA), Matthew VanDyke
Shot on the ground with a hand held camera and told in striking first person, the Syrian struggle for freedom as experienced by a 32 year old rebel commander, Mowya, and a 24 year old female journalist, Nour, in Aleppo, Syria is exposed like no TV newscast could do.

Runner-up – SLOMO (USA), Josh Izenberg

AUDIENCE FAVORITE ANIMATION SHORT
A GIRL NAMED ELASTIKA (Canada), Guillaume Blanchet
A spirited girl made of rubber bands journeys across her corkboard universe in this delightful stop-motion film.

Runner-up – CHOPPER (Netherlands), Lars Damoiseaux, Frederik Palmaers

The ShortFest Online Audience Award went to SHELVED (New Zealand), directed by James Cunningham. The film will be available to view on the PSIFF website for the next three months.

JURY CATEGORY AWARDS

BEST ANIMATION SHORT
First Place ($2,000) – ARTS & CRAFTS SPECTACULAR #2 (Germany),Ian Ritterskamp & Sébastien Wolf
This surreal claymation extravaganza wryly celebrates the close encounter of such disparate pop figures as Popeye and Yoko Ono during a be-in at a museum somewhere in time.

Second Place ($500) –Chopper(Netherlands), Lars Damoiseaux & Frederik Palmaers

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT OVER 15 MINUTES
First Place ($2,000) – WILD HORSES (USA), Stephanie Martin
Mireille Enos stars in this story of cruelty, courage, love and memory as two generations of women bear witness to the brutality common to wild horse roundups in the American West.

Second Place ($500) – SPRING TIDES (Les Grandes Marées) (France), Mathias Pardo

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT 15 MINUTES AND UNDER
First Place ($2,000) – WE KEEP ON DANCING (Australia), Jessica Lawton
Two distinctly disparate characters come together over a broken down Volkswagen Beetle in this sweet, amusing tale of love, loss and… car trouble.

Second Place ($500) – NOT FUNNY (No Tiene Gracia) (Spain), Carlos Violadé

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
First Place ($2,000) – LETTERS FROM PYONGYANG (Canada), Jason Lee
The tragedy of a divided Korea is powerfully evoked in this profound personal journey undertaken by filmmaker Jason Lee, who ventures with his father from South to North, across the Korean peninsula, in search of clues of his family’s unsettled past.

Second Place ($500) – DECEMBER 25 (Australia), Wendy Dent

STUDENT CATEGORIES

BEST STUDENT ANIMATION
First Place – HARALD (Germany), Moritz Schneider
Harald is a champion wrestler with a monster mother for his coach. Though his true love is growing flowers, coach mom doesn’t wanted him distracted by such trifles, so when she takes away his latest plant, Harald is forced to sieze the day.

Second Place – THE MAGNIFICENT LION BOY (UK), Ana Caro

BEST STUDENT LIVE ACTION SHORT OVER 15 MINUTES
First Place – MAGMA (Poland), Pawel Maslona
Dedicated furniture salesman Janusz always knows just how to close a sale but after an extremely rare accident at work, he finds his carefully constructed life unraveling.

Second Place – PAULINE IN A BEAUTIFUL WORLD (USA), William Thompson

BEST STUDENT LIVE ACTION SHORT 15 MINUTES AND UNDER
First Place – JUMP (Australia), Aimee Lee Curran
In a visually dazzling story about the importance of family when pursuing your dreams, Jump tells the tale of 12-year-old Edwin, a circus clown like his father, who dreams of becoming a trapeze artist..

Second Place – RELICS(USA), Jennie Allen

BEST STUDENT DOCUMENTARY SHORT
First Place – EMPTY NEST (Myanmar), Zaw Naing Oo
In one small pocket of Yangon, the urban center of Myanmar, Daw Ni Lang lives very modestly with her husband and young son. It’s a hard life, but she’s managed to raise four children who are all well-educated… if only they would call home a little more often.

Second Place – JONATHAN (Ecuador), Abe Zverow

BEST STUDENT CINEMATOGRAPHY
Leigh Lisbão Underwood (cinematographer), THE BOY SCOUT (USA)
Trapped in their car for days after an unexpected snowstorm strands them on a remote mountain road during an impromptu trip, Grant and Leah confront a life-or-death choice… With another storm on the way, should they stay or should they go.

Second Place – Tam Morris (cinematographer), JUMP (Australia)

BEST US FILM SCHOOL STUDENT FILM AWARD
First Place – MY FATHER’S TRUCK (Xe Tai Cua Bo) (Brazil/Vietnam), Mauricio Osaki
10-year-old Mai Vy skips school one day to help her father with his passenger truck for hire. Set along the countryside of Northern Vietnam, Mai Vy is soon confronted with varying shades of morality and harsh realities as she learns how things outside the classroom really are.

ADDITIONAL PRIZES The Alexis Award for Best Emerging Student Filmmaker went to OSTRICHLAND (USA), directed by David McCracken. T

Bridging the Borders Award presented by Cinema Without Borders went to THAT WASN’T ME (Aquel No Era Yo) (Spain) directed by Esteban Crespo. The runner-up was TRYOUTS (USA), directed by Susana Casares.

The next Palm Springs International Film Festival will be held January 3-13, 2014.
Read more
“HAVING YOU,” and “HOW TO FOLLOW STRANGERS” Awarded Top Honors at 2013 Lower East Side Film Festival

HAVING YOU

“HAVING YOU,” and “HOW TO FOLLOW STRANGERS” were awarded top honors at the 2013 Lower East Side Film Festival (L.E.S* Film Festiva), which ran June 13 – 23 in New York City.

Prix D’or Winner, “HOW TO FOLLOW STRANGERS” is directed by Chioke Nassor and stars Broad City’s Ilana Glazer. There is a true story of a woman who died in her apartment and it took people a year to find her body decomposing in a crisp Chanel suit. A young man becomes obsessed with this urban tragedy and disappears, wondering if anyone will notice. A young woman who shares his commuting schedule DOES notice…

Best Feature Winner, HAVING YOU, is directed by Sam Hoare and stars Golden Globe Nominated Anna Friel, Golden Globe and BAFTA Nominee Romola Garai, and BAFTA Nominee Phil Davis. Jack has finally managed to propose to his infertile girlfriend when his life is turned upside down by the arrival of an old one-night stand that introduces him to his seven year old son.

The Full List of Winners are:

PRIX D’OR – Best of Fest – How To Follow Strangers. Dir. By Chioke Nassor
BEST FEATURE – Having You. Dir. By Sam Hoare
AUDIENCE AWARD – i hate myself 🙂 Dir. By Joanna Arnow
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT – The Caretaker. Dir. Lauren Lillie
BEST DOC SHORT – Wright’s Law. Dir. By Zack Conkle
BEST ANIMATION – Fear of Flying. Dir. By Conor Finnegan
L.E.S* NEIGHBORHOOD AWARD – The Birdman. Dir. By Jessie Auritt.
Read more