Film Festivals

63 films from Hawaii and around the world at 2011 Big Island Film Festival

Hawaii stars including celebrity honorees Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), and Kristina Anapau (Black Swan) will help celebrate independent narrative filmmaking at the 6th Annual Big Island Film Festival (BIFF) running May 11-15, 2011 event at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and The Shops at Mauna Lani.

BIFF 2011 will showcase 63 independent narrative films from 7 countries, 10 of them filmed in Hawaii, including:
-All Collected Things, looking back at a love story. Michael Tanji producer, director, writer.
-Layover, on the Shore, a contemporary Honolulu filmmaker’s edgy story, A Christopher Makoto Yogi Film, Producers William Kwok, Yu Gu.
-Mute, a deaf high school junior wants to try out for football, by Jeremy Johnson Films.
-The Green Tie Affair, a puppet musical about identity and wardrobe

And these, from Big Island filmmakers:
-Hawaii’s Undersea Ohana, Hawaiian proverbs put to music, includes a segment filmed on Ni‘ihau, by Fasano Underwater Productions, Charles Fasano.
-Alison’s Adventures: Snaked, a surf adventure to Morocco, Alison Tea Productions.
-Sproot, Produced and directed by Loring Robbins, is a whimsical animation about telekinetic power and personal strength
-The Pick-Up Artist, two people meet in a bar, but are they who they seem to be? Beckwood Entertainment, producer/director/writer: Rockwood.
-Waterfall, loss and grief, embraced by nature. Keyland Productions, Braide Keyland producer, director and writer.

From Maui, Get a Job written and directed by Brian Kohne, is an outrageous comedy with an all-star lineup of top Hawaii entertainers including Willie K, Eric Gilliom, Augie T, Jake Shimabukuro, Carolyn Omine, Slam Poet Kealoha, Ernie Cruz, Jr., Amy Hanaiali‘i, Mick Fleetwood, Pat Simmons, Charles Ka‘upu, Willie Nelson, and Henry Kapono (who headlines BIFF’s “Best of the Fest” concert May 15).
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11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival Kicks Off.. runs through Sunday, May 8

[caption id="attachment_1296" align="alignnone" width="560"](L-R) Neetu Singh Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor on the red carpet.[/caption]

The 11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival kicked off on Wednesday night, May 4, with the Opening Night celebration which featured the U.S. Premiere of the Delhi-set comedy “Do Dooni Chaar,” Disney’s first live-action Hindi film. The star-studded red carpet premiere, held at Manhattan’s prestigious Paris Theater, was attended by special guests Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Kapoor along with writer/director Habib Faisal. Also attending the premiere were Aparna Sen, Madhur Jaffrey, Aditya Bhattacharya, Ajay Naidu, Samrat Chakrabarti, Meetu Chilana, Rehana Mirza, Pulitzer Prize winner Siddhartha Mukherjee, Sarita Choudhury, Ami Sheth, Poorna Jagannathan, and many other actors and filmmakers whose films will play at NYIFF through Closing Night on Sunday, May 8.

Following the screening of “Do Dooni Chaar” was a discussion with Faisal and the Kapoors moderated by festival director Aseem Chhabra which reportedly had the audience laughing throughout.

The 11th Annual New York Indian Film Festival runs from Wednesday, May 4 to Sunday, May 8 with 25 feature films including 15 World and U.S. Premieres, industry panels, photo exhibits, afterparties, and more.

FRI May 6 | CENTERPIECE | Iti Mrinalini, directed by Aparna Sen

SUN May 8 | CLOSING NIGHT | Nauka Dubi, directed by Rituparno Ghosh

[caption id="attachment_1297" align="alignnone" width="560"](L-R) Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh Kapoor, director Habib Faisal, and NYIFF director Aseem Chhabra at the post-screening Q&A.[/caption]
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37th Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) to cancel Al Pacino event

The 37th Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) will cancel the rare Al Pacino appearance, Pacino: One Night Only, the website seattle.broadwayworld.com reports. The cancellation is due to this week’s announcement that Pacino has been nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Actor for his critically acclaimed performance on Broadway in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. Due to the conflict with the Tony Award Ceremony STG and Al Pacino announce a cancellation of his appearance at The Paramount Theatre on June 11. “I hope to make it back to Seattle,” said Pacino. “it’s a city I’ve always enjoyed.”

The festival will offer refunds to individuals that purchased tickets for the events.

The 37th Seattle International Film Festival, a 25 day event will run from May 19 through June 12, and feature 441 films (257 features, 184 shorts) – including 96 feature and short premieres and a Festival record 74 countries represented – with screenings at venues throughout Seattle, Renton, Everett and Kirkland.

Al Pacino is still scheduled to receive the Jaeger-Le Coultre Glory to the Filmmaker 2011 Award, a prize of the Venice International Film Festival created in collaboration with Jaeger-Le Coultre, and dedicated to an artist who has left an original mark on contemporary cinema. This year, the award will celebrate Al Pacino and his achievements as a filmmaker. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 4th at the 2011 Venice International Film Festival.
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5Point Film Festival Winners for 2011; The Wolf and The Medallion wins Best of Festival

[caption id="attachment_1292" align="alignnone" width="500"]The Wolf and the Medallion[/caption]

The Wolf and The Medallion by Jeremy Collins won the top award, Best of Festival, at the 5Point Film Festival which ran April 28 – May 1, 2011 in Carbondale, Colorado.

The Wolf and The Medallion which had its world premiere at the festival is described as a thrilling experimental art performance by artist and climber, Jeremy Collins, the filmmaker who brought you last year’s beloved Border Country. Scored to live music, this multifaceted piece will take over your senses—most importantly, your sense of wonder. The Wolf and the Medallion is rooted in Collins’ personal climbing adventure to the border of China and Mongolia, where rumors of a virgin canyon of granite revealed a cultural and vertical experience like no other. From the summit of his first peak, Collins writes a letter to his son back home, a letter that guides the film along its peaks and valleys. An encompassing journey of fatherhood, brotherhood and adventure, The Wolf and the Medallion is a captivating and original tale.

The 2011 5Point Film Festival awards:

BEST OF FESTIVAL
The Wolf and The Medallion by Jeremy Collins

SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
Cold by Anson Fogel and Cory Richards

Finalists:
Skateistan
Fly or Die
Swiss Machine

MOST INSPIRING STORY
Chasing Water by Peter McBride

Finalists:
Salt
Scrapertown
The Wolf and the Medallion

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Dark Side of the Lens by Mickey Smith

Finalists:
Life Cycles
Towers of Ennedi
Wildwater

JURY SPECIAL SELECTION
Scrapertown by Drea Cooper and Zack Canepari

Finalists:
Salt
Skateistan
Eastern Rises

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Eastern Rises
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2011 Staten Island Film Festival Announces Free Admission and Nominees

[caption id="attachment_1127" align="alignnone"]Nominee for Best Picture, ‘White Irish Drinkers’[/caption]

The 2011 Staten Island Film Festival continues to make big announcements as the days get closer to the festival run scheduled for June 8 – 12, 2011 reports silive.com.

For the first time, the festival will feature free admission at the door for screenings. Most of the screening will be shown at the St. George Theatre and at the Music and Veterans Halls at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden. The Children’s Film Series will be screened at the Staten Island Zoo.

The festival also announced its nominees:

The nominees for Best Picture are: “Stalemate,” “Desert Rain,” “Night Club,” “White Irish Drinkers” and “The Secret Friend.”

Best Staten Island Local Film contenders are: “The Few,” “Broken Road,” “Eyes on Him,” “Collateral Package,” “Coming of Age, “Vincent Medugno Magnetic,” “Staten Island Wrestler,” “Green Apples and Wannabes” and “Road Less Traveled.”

Best Director contenders are: “Crossroads” by Salvatore Petrosino, “Night Club” by Sam Borowski, “The Retreat” by Chelsea Marino, “Gus” by Joe Pomarico, “Caught” by Elizabeth Page and “Rita” by Antonio Piazza.
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54th San Francisco International Film Festival Award Winners; ‘Crime After Crime’ wins top documentary award

[caption id="attachment_781" align="alignnone"]Crime After Crime[/caption]

Yoav Potash’s documentary film, ‘Crime After Crime’, won the top Golden Gate Award Documentary Feature at the 54th San Francisco International Film Festival. The documentary film on the legal battle to free Debbie Peagler, a woman imprisoned for over a quarter century due to her connection to the murder of the man who abused her, received a $25,000 cash prize.

The 54th San Francisco International Film Festival ran April 21 – May 5, 2011 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, the Castro Theatre, New People and SFMOMA in San Francisco and the Pacific Film Archive Theater in Berkeley.

Golden Gate Award Documentary Feature Winners

Investigative Documentary Feature:

Crime After Crime, Yoav Potash (USA 2011)

· Winner receives $25,000 cash prize

Documentary Feature:

Better This World, Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway (USA 2011)

· Winner receives $20,000 cash prize

Bay Area Documentary Feature:

Better This World, Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway (USA 2011)

· Winner receives $15,000 cash prize and $2000 laboratory services from EFILM Digital Laboratories.

New Directors Award:

The Journals of Musan, Park Jung-bum (South Korea 2010)

· Winner receives $15,000 cash prize

FIPRESCI Prize:

The Salesman, Sébastien Pilote (Canada 2011)

Golden Gate Award Short Film Winners

Narrative Short: Blokes, Marialy Rivas (Chile 2010)

· Winner receives $5,000 cash prize

Documentary Short: Into the Middle of Nowhere, Anna Frances Ewert (Scotland, England 2010)

· Winner receives $5,000 cash prize

Animated Short: The External World, David O’Reilly (Ireland 2010)

· Winner receives $2,000 cash prize and Maya animation software provided by Auto Desk

Bay Area Short, First Prize: Tourist Trap, Skye Thorstenson (USA 2010)

· Winner receives $2,000 cash prize

Bay Area Short, Second Prize: Young Dracula, Alfred Seccombe (USA 2010)

· Winner receives $1,500 cash prize

New Visions: Lost Lake, Zackary Drucker (USA 2010)

· Winner receives $1,500 cash prize and 1,000 feet of Kodak film stock

Work for Kids and Families: Specky Four Eyes, Jean-Claude Rozec (France 2010)

· Winner receives $1,500 cash prize

Youth Work: Z-Man, Nat Talbot (USA 2010)

· Winner receives $1,500 cash prize

Youth Work Honorable Mention: The Snowman Kelly Wilson, Neil Wrischnik (USA 2010)

Youth Work Honorable Mention: The Math Test, Sam Rubin (USA 2010)
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2011 Los Angeles Film Festival announces the first round of US and international selections
[caption id="attachment_1276" align="alignnone" width="560"]You Hurt My Feelings[/caption]

The 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival will screen over 200 feature films, shorts, and music videos, representing more than 30 countries. Returning to downtown Los Angeles, with its central hub at L.A. LIVE, the Festival will run from Thursday, June 16 to Sunday, June 26.

The festival announced the first round of official US and international selections.

Narrative Competition (10): The Narrative Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that compete for the Filmmaker Award. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors, and films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.
- The Bad Intentions, Rosario Garcia-Montero – Argentina/Germany/Peru – US PREMIERE
- The Dynamiter, Matthew Gordon – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Familiar Grounds, Stephane Lefleur – Canada – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- The Fatherless, Marie Kreutzer – Austria – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- How to Cheat, Amber Sealey – WORLD PREMIERE
- Mamitas, Nicholas Ozeki – WORLD PREMIERE
- An Ordinary Family, Mike Akel – WORLD PREMIERE
- Please Do Not Disturb, Mohsen Abdolvahab – Iran – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Sawdust City, David Nordstrom – WORLD PREMIERE
- You Hurt My Feelings, Steve Collins – WORLD PREMIERE
Documentary Competition (9): The Documentary Competition is comprised of films made by talented emerging filmmakers that compete for the Documentary Award. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors, and films in this section are also eligible for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature.
- Cheonggyecheon Medley: A Dream of Iron, Kelvin Kyung Kun Park – South Korea – US PREMIERE
- Family Instinct, Andris Gauja – Latvia – US PREMIERE
- Once I Was a Champion, Gerard Roxburgh – WORLD PREMIERE
- Paraiso For Sale, Anayansi Prado – WORLD PREMIERE
- Salaam Dunk, David Fine – Iraq/USA – WORLD PREMIERE
- Somewhere Between, Linda Goldstein Knowlton – US PREMIERE
- Unfinished Spaces, Alysa Nahimas, Ben Murray – WORLD PREMIERE
- Unraveled, Marc H. Simon – US PREMIERE
- Wish Me Away, Bobbie Birleffi, Beverly Kopf – WORLD PREMIERE
International Showcase (18): The International Showcase highlights innovative independent narrative and documentary features from outside of the United States. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.
- 108, Renate Costa – Spain/Paraguay
- Christopher and His Kind, Geoffrey Sax – United Kingdom – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Come Rain, Come Shine, Lee Yoon-ki – South Korea – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Curling, Denis Côté – Canada
- The Destiny of Lesser Animals, Deron Albright – Ghana/USA
- Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within, Jose Padilha – Brazil (New Video)
- Eternity, Sivaroj Kongsakul – Thailand
- Family Portrait in Black and White, Julia Ivanova – Canada
- Kawasaki’s Rose, Jan Hrebejk – Czech Republic (Menemsha Films)
- Love Crime, Alain Corneau – France (IFC Films)
- Medianeras, Gustavo Taretto – Argentina/Germany/Spain (IFC Films) – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Mysteries of Lisbon, Raúl Ruiz – Portugal (Music Box Films)
- Ocaso, Theo Court – Chile – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- Position Among the Stars, Leonard Retel Helmrich – Netherlands
- The Salesman, Sébastien Pilote – Canada
- Self Made, Gillian Wearing – England
- Senna, Asif Kapadia – England (PDA)
- Tomboy, Céline Sciamma – France (Rocket Releasing) – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Summer Showcase (18): The Summer Showcase section offers an advance look at this summer’s most talked about independent film releases from the festival circuit. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.
- Another Earth, Mike Cahill (Fox Searchlight)
- Elevate, Anne Buford
- The Future, Miranda July (Roadside Attractions)
- The Guard, John Michael McDonagh – Ireland (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Higher Ground, Vera Farmiga (Sony Pictures Classics)
- Leave It on the Floor, Sheldon Larry – WORLD PREMIERE
- Letters From the Big Man, Christopher Munch
- L!fe Happens, Kat Coiro – WORLD PREMIERE
- Natural Selection, Robbie Pickering
- Page One: Inside the New York Times, Andrew Rossi (Magnolia Pictures/Participant Media)
- The Pruitt-lgoe Myth, Chad Freidrichs
- Renée, Eric Drath (ESPN Films)
- Sex Crimes Unit, Lisa F. Jackson (HBO Films)
- Skateistan: Four Wheels and a Board in Kabul, Kai Sehr
- Terri, Azazel Jacobs (ATO)
- Tyrannosaur, Paddy Considine – England (Strand Releasing)
- Where Soldiers Come From, Heather Courtney
- Winnie the Pooh, Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall (Disney)
Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre (3): These official Los Angeles Film Festival selections, sponsored by Brand X, are included as part of the 2011 Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season; a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County-based arts organizations. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.
- Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, Michael Rapaport
- Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, Tsui Hark – Hong Kong
- The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, Ron & Russell Mael aka Sparks and Guy Maddin – WORLD MUSICAL PREMIERE
International Spotlight – Cuba (4): This year, our International Spotlight focuses on Cuba, whose films rarely find distribution in the U.S. We’re proud to showcase the best of the new and recent Cuban cinema. Sponsored by the Department of Cultural Affairs and UCLA Latin American Institute.
- · Habana Eva, Fina Torres – Cuba/France/Venezuela
- · Operation Peter Pan: Flying Back to Cuba, Estela Bravo – Cuba
- · Suite Habana (2003), Fernando Pérez – Cuba
- · Ticket to Paradise, Gerardo Chijona Valdes – Cuba
Documenting Mexico (2): Inspired by the efforts of the Ambulante Film Festival, a traveling film event designed to promote a documentary culture across Mexico, we are pleased to highlight two outstanding documentaries from Mexico’s vibrant documentary filmmaking culture. Sponsored by HOY.
- · The Night Watchman, Natalia Almada – Mexico
- · The Tiniest Place, Tatiana Huezo – Mexico
Community Screenings (7): These films will be presented free to the public. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best Narrative Feature or Best Documentary Feature.
- The Bully Project, Lee Hirsch (The Weinstein Company)
- Choose Your Own Movie – vote at LAFilmFest.com for this free outdoor screening
- Crime After Crime, Yoav Potash – Grand Performances Screening
  - Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), John Hughes – 25^th Anniversary Screening
  - Hot Coffee, Susan Saladoff (HBO Films)
  - On the Ice, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean – Project:Involve Screening
  - Project Nim, James Marsh – United Kingdom (Roadside Attractions)
    
    Stand By Me (1986), Rob Reiner – 25^th Anniversary Screening
The Beyond (5): The Beyond offers films that dare to be different. Films in this section are eligible for Audience Awards for Best International Feature, Best Narrative Feature, or Best Documentary Feature.
- Entrance, Dallas Hallam, Patrick Horvath
- Haunters, Kim Min-suk – South Korea – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
- The Innkeepers, Ti West
- Karate-Robo Zaborgar, Iguchi Noboru – Japan
- The Yellow Sea, Na Hong-jin – South Korea
Retro (2):
- Boyz n the Hood (1991), John Singleton – 20^th Anniversary Digitally Re-Mastered Screening with a Cast & Crew Reunion
- Das Boot (1981), Wolfgang Peterson – Germany – 30^th Anniversary Digitally Re-Mastered Screening
The Film Foundation Screening Program (1):
- Wild River (1960), Elia Kazan
Short Films (41): Shorts are shown before features and as part of five short film programs. With their diverse and complex content, these films shine brilliantly. Most short films, domestic and international, will compete for prizes in Narrative, Documentary, and Animation/Experimental categories. The winner is determined by a panel of jurors. An Audience Award for Best Short Film is also presented.
- Shorts Program 1-5
Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (33): These two programs of shorts are made by high school students from around the country, featuring work by the next generation of filmmakers.
- Programs 1-2
Music Videos (48): The Music Video Showcase consists of three programs. Our two Eclectic Mix programs are a visual mix tape of this year’s best independent music videos, with a few innovative major label artists thrown in for good measure. Music videos will compete for an Audience Award.
- Eclectic Mix 1-2
- Kewl Vids by Eric Wareheim
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10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival Announces Attendance Numbers

The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) numbers are in, and they reveal that more than 430,000 people attended screenings, panels, talks and free community events – including the opening night world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s The Union, the Tribeca Drive-In series, Street Fair and Family Festival, Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day, Tribeca Disruptive Innovation awards, and NYFest – during the Festival’s 10th edition.

Of all the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Facts, Figures and anecdotes, the most interesting – On the day that World Narrative Competition entry Jesus Henry Christ had its world premiere, star Toni Collette gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The audience made a short video to congratulate the star and new mom.

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Maryland Film Festival 2011 Feature Local Docs THE LEARNING and CAFETERIA MAN

[caption id="attachment_1272" align="alignnone" width="550"]THE LEARNING[/caption]

Maryland Film Festival 2011 opens tomorrow, and among the many documentaries screening are two honing in on fascinating stories within the Baltimore school system.

Imelda director Ramona Diaz’s THE LEARNING documents a year in the lives of four Filipino women recruited to work as teachers in the Baltimore school system; Richard Chisolm’s CAFETERIA MAN follows Tony Geraci as he attempts to revamp Baltimore’s school lunch program with an emphasis on fresh, healthy, local, and even student-grown ingredients.

All of MFF’s 2011 features are now announced, including Closing Night (Sing Your Song, with Harry Belafonte attending!), Palme d’Or winner UNCLE BOONMEE, John Waters presenting DOMAINE, Kelly Reichardt’s MEEK’S CUTOFF, and Opening Night Shorts hosted by Ann Hornaday.
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Twins Cities Film Fest Announces 2011 dates

The 2nd annual Twin Cities Film Fest will be held September 20 to 25, 2011 at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at the West End. This year’s festival will feature 35 to 40 films ranging from Minnesota-made features to studio and independent films.

Submissions are now being accepted.
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London Independent Film Festival Announces 2011 Awards; Being Sold Wins Grand Prize

[caption id="attachment_1258" align="alignnone" width="560"]Christopher Dane in BEING SOLD[/caption]

Director Phil Hawkins took the Grand Prize at the 8th London Independent Film Festival his feature film Being Sold. The dark comedy tells the story of a man who puts himself up for online auction and attracts a storm of media attention. Hawkins, whose debut feature The Butterfly Tattoo met with critical success in 2009, scooped the prize which includes a £50k post-production deal with LIFF sponsor Prime Focus London. Being Sold, which was shot for only £25k, also earned its star Christopher Dane LIFF’s best actor award.

Dutch helmer Christianne van Wijk won LIFF’s Best Director award for her debut feature The Scandalous Four, a period drama of sexual tensions set in the 1800’s. The film also scored the festival’s Best LGBT Film Award.

American Director Joan Sekler took the festival’s prize for Best Documentary for her coverage of striking miners in California in Locked Out. Actress Chloë Annett won the award for Best Actress for her title role in Leila.

Director Richard Harrison of The Honey Killer, and Director Greg Hall of SSDD, took the festival’s awards for Best Micro-Budget, and Best No-Budget Features respectively. While Paul Tanter’s Jack Falls, and David M. Reynolds Zomblies took the festival prizes for Best Action Film and Best SCI-FI/Horror respectively.

The 2011 festival jury was headed by actor Robert Carlyle and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt.

Festival Director Erich Schultz said: “Another year of absolutely fantastic low-budget films from around the world. I’m certain we’ll be seeing many great things from these filmmakers in the very near future.”

Hosted at several screening venues across London, the 2011 London Independent Film Festival screened over 70 films over 10 days.

A full list of 2011 London Independent Film Festival winners:

Best Film
Phil Hawkins for BEING SOLD

Best Action Film
Paul Tanter for JACK FALLS

Best Sci-Fi/Horror Feature
David M Reynolds for ZOMBLIES

Best LGBT Film
Christianne van Wijk for THE SCANDALOUS FOUR

Best Micro-Budget Feature
Richard Harrison for THE HONEY KILLER

Best Documentary
Joan Sekler for LOCKED OUT

Best No-Budget Feature
Greg Hall for SSDD

Best Director
Christianne van Wijk for THE SCANDALOUS FOUR

Best Actress
Chloë Annett for LEILA

Best Actor
Christopher Dane for BEING SOLD

Best Editing
Eve Hazelton for ZOMBLIES

Best Short (International)
Alejandro Alvarez for DEEP SLEEP

Best Short (UK)
Jo Smyth WINTER IN THE GARDEN

Best Short (animated)
Rok Predin for WINTER POEM

Best Short Documentary
Zillah Bowes for SMALL PROTESTS

Best Sci-Fi/Horror Short Film
Matt Bloom for ENDLESS

Best Music Video (UK)
David Buchanan A CAT ONLINE

Best Short Short
Jessica Townsend for HUMANE RESOURCES

Best Screenplay (International)
Tim Lewis for STAR SPANGLED BANNER

Best Screenplay (UK)
Anis Prudiva for Mutte

Best Sci-Fi / Horror Screenplay
Paul Treader for THE HELL BUNNY

Best Short Screenplay
Linnette Brown for DEEP INSIDE

Best Screenplay Pitch
Rachel McIntyre for CONNECT THE DOTS
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The US Premiere of Battle For Brooklyn to open 2011 Brooklyn Film Festival

The US Premiere of Battle For Brooklyn, a controversial look at the Atlantic Yards project in Brooklyn will be the opening film event of 2011 Brooklyn Film Festival on June 3rd at Brooklyn Heights Cinemas at 8pm. The film will be also shown as a part of the Rooftop Films Summer Series on June 9th in Fort Greene Park. Prior to both Brooklyn screenings, the documentary will have its world premiere at the Toronto HotDocs festival on April 30th in Toronto, Canada.

“We are extremely excited to be working with such strong Brooklyn institutions that have supported us for over a decade,” said Directors Suki Hawley and Michael Galinski.

“After searching for more than five years, graphic designer Daniel Goldstein finds the perfect place to call home in Brooklyn. Within months of moving in, however, he discovers that a new arena for the New Jersey Nets is slated to be built where his condo stands. The densest real estate development plan in US history, the Atlantic Yards project seeks to replace the existing neighborhood businesses and residences with 16 skyscrapers and a sports complex. Daniel becomes a reluctant activist when the government begins using eminent domain to force locals out, handing their property over to a private developer. Determined to fight back, Daniel participates in demonstrations, organizes meetings and gives media interviews and tours—anything to save his neighborhood. Spanning seven years, Battle for Brooklyn is the infuriating story of a greedy corporate Goliath and the new American way: corruption, bulldozing and corporate interests over citizen rights.”-Toronto Hot Docs

Brooklyn Film Festival has received over 2,400 films from 111 countries of which 1,200 are US productions. The competitive event will run from June 3rd through June 12th at indieScreen, a brand new venue in Williamsburg, and the Brooklyn Heights Cinemas. The festival will present 120 film premieres and each film will be shown twice. The full festival lineup will be announced in May 2011.

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