Wah Do Dem (What They Do)

The 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival closed on June 28 and announced the award-winners at this year’s festival.

Target Filmmaker Award (for Best Narrative Feature)

Winner: Wah Do Dem (What They Do) written and directed by Sam Fleischner & Ben Chace

Producers: Sam Fleischner, Katina Hubbard, Ben Chace, Martha Lapham, Henry Kasdon

Cast: Sean Bones, Norah Jones, Kevin Bewersdorf, Carl Bradshaw

Film Description: Max’s dream Caribbean cruise becomes a solitary odyssey after his girlfriend dumps him days before their departure. Now, he’ll have to go with the Jamaican flow in this disarming and incisive debut feature.

The Target Filmmaker Award carries an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target, offering the financial means to help filmmakers transfer their vision to the screen. The award recognizes the finest narrative film in competition, and is given to the director. A special jury selects the winner, and all narrative feature-length films screening in the Narrative Competition section were eligible.

In bestowing Sam Fleischner and Ben Chace with the Target Filmmaker Award, the Jury stated:

“A film that could feel anecdotal but through its musical shifts and tone, and its vision of the world as a newly optimistic place, Wah Do Dem (What They Do) creates a strong and profound emotional narrative.”

Target Documentary Award (for Best Documentary Feature)

Winner: Those Who Remain (Los Que se Quedan) directed by Juan Carlos Rulfo and Carlos Hagerman

Producers: Juan Carlos Rulfo, Carlos Hagerman, Martha Sosa Elizondo, Nicolas Vale

Film Description: (Mexico) This intimate and discerning depiction of the impact of migration on families left behind by loved ones who travel north emerges as a nuanced portrait of “the other side” of the immigration story.

The Target Documentary Award carries an unrestricted cash prize of $50,000 funded by Target, offering the financial means to help filmmakers transfer their vision to the screen. The award recognizes the finest documentary film in competition, and is given to the director. A special jury selects the winner, and all documentary feature-length films screening in the Documentary Competition section were eligible.

In bestowing Juan Carlos Rulfo and Carlos Hagerman with the Target Documentary Award, the Jury stated:

“With its generosity of spirit and lyrical grace that illuminates a human landscape with fresh eyes, Those Who Remain reminds us that documentaries can be both journalism and poetry.”

Target Dream in Color Award (for Best Short in the Future Filmmaker
Showcase)

Winner: Lipstick directed by Sam Rubin

Producer: The Film Workshop of SF Art & Film

Cast: Sam Rubin

Film Description: A boy locks himself in a bathroom. His mother wants to know if he is OK.

The Target Dream in Color Award was given to Sam Rubin for Lipstick and recognizes a film that inspires audiences to dream without boundaries and share culture in a unique and positive way. This award is the first time a cash grant was given to a participant in the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Future Filmmaker Showcase, a short film program targeted to young and talented emerging filmmakers in high school.

In bestowing Sam Rubin with the Target Dream in Color Award, the Jury stated:

“We congratulate all the filmmakers on their extraordinary work. While we were impressed with the scope and diversity of all the high school shorts, we select Lipstick, a simple and powerful film, which can inspire other future filmmakers to make movies with very little. Using just two props, one location, and two actors, the filmmaker creates a compelling story about a character dealing with personal yet universal issues of identity and communication. It is a visual film with a strong point of view. In Lipstick, we see both a present and future filmmaker.”

Outstanding Performance in the Narrative Competition

Winner: Shayne Topp in Suzi Yoonessi’s Dear Lemon Lima,

Film Description: “As sweet and colorful as a snow cone, this delightful happy-sad confection follows an awkward Alaskan teen as she discovers her Yup’ik heritage while rallying her fellow misfits to compete in her school’s Snow-storm Survivor competition.”

In bestowing Shayne Topp with Outstanding Performance recognition, the Jury stated:

“For his sophisticated and nuanced comic performance in a role that is often played in less subtle ways by more experienced actors, the award goes to Shayne Topp from Dear Lemon Lima,.”

Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature

Winner: The Stoning of Soraya M. written by Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh and Cyrus Nowrasteh and directed by Cyrus Nowrasteh

Producers: Stephen McEveety, John Shepherd

Cast: Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mozhan Marnò, Jim Caviezel

Film Description: Based on Freidoune Sahebjam’s international bestseller, this visceral drama, which tells the true story of a tragic incident of oppression, conspiracy and betrayal, gathers tension and outrage as it builds to its inevitable conclusion.

This award is given to the narrative feature audiences liked most as voted by a tabulated rating system. Select narrative feature-length films screening in the following sections were eligible for the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature: Narrative Competition, International Showcase, International Spotlight, Summer Showcase, Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre, Dark Wave, Guilty Pleasures, and Special Screenings.

Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature

Winner: Soul Power directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte

Producers: Leon Gast, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, David Sonenberg

Featuring: James Brown, Bill Withers, B.B. King, The Spinners, Celia Cruz and the Fania All-Stars, Muhammad Ali, Don King, Stewart Levine

Film Description: This blazing concert film documents “Zaire ‘74,” the sister event to the famed Ali/Foreman “Rumbling in the Jungle,” featuring previously unseen performances by James Brown, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz and others.

This award is given to the documentary feature audiences liked most as voted on by a tabulated rating system. Select documentary feature-length films screening in the following sections were eligible for the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature: Documentary Competition, International Showcase, International Spotlight, Summer Showcase, Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre, and Special Screenings.

Audience Award for Best International Feature

Winner: Born Without (Nacido Sin) written & directed by Eva Norvind

Producers: Eva Norvind, Nailea Norvind, Donald K. Ranvaud

Featuring: José Flores, Graciela Flores, Alejandro Jodorowsky

Film Description: (Mexico) A remarkably frank portrait of the lives and loves of José Flores - a street musician, actor, father of six, and Romeo who was born without arms and stands only three feet tall.

This award is given to the international feature audiences liked most as voted on by a tabulated rating system. Select international feature-length films, both narrative and documentary, in the Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, International Showcase, International Spotlight, Summer Showcase, Outdoor Screenings at the Ford Amphitheatre, Dark Wave, and Special Screenings were eligible for the Audience Award for Best International Feature.

Best Narrative Short Film

Winner: Time and Again written & directed by Antonio Mendez Esparza

Producers: Florin Serban, Diana Wade

Cast: Pedro Santos, Erica Heras

Description: Pedro’s dreams about his future are challenged by an unforeseen turn of events.

In bestowing Antonio Mendez Esparza with Best Narrative Short Film, the Jury stated:

“For its raw and atmospheric visual palette, bold use of real and rarely seen locations, and cast which brought a refreshing realism, the award goes to Time and Again, an ambitious portrait of an immigrant’s struggle to find love in a new land.”

Best Documentary Short Film

Winner: Replayground by Anna Gaskell

Producers: Anna Gaskell

Featuring: Brookti Berne, Harris Rosenberg, James Gray

Description: Roles are reversed in this hilarious reenactment of a children’s quarrel.

In bestowing Anna Gaskell with Best Documentary Short Film, the Jury
stated:

“The award goes to Replayground. The concept was so fresh and unexpected in its use of children’s visions of their playground actions as content for a play that they would then be entrusted to cast and direct. A case of a brilliant premise carrying a film.”

Best Animated Short Film

Winner: Skhizein by Jérémy Clapin

Producers: Wendy Griffiths, Stéphane Piera

Cast: Julien Boisseller, Theo Grimmelsen, Mado Debrus

Description: (France) After a 150-ton meteorite strikes, Henry’s physical existence is forever altered.

In bestowing Jérémy Clapin with Best Animated Short Film, the Jury stated:

“The award goes to Skhizein, for its use of animation to tell a story no other medium could, that of a character who finds himself literally beside himself, creating an elegant interlocking of story animation and character.”

Audience Award for Best Short Film

Winner: Instead of Abracadabra by Patrik Eklund

Producer: Mathias Fjellström

Cast: Simon J. Berger, Jacob Nordenson, Anki Larsson, Saga Gärde

Description: Tomas attempts to impress his family and the beautiful Monica with his dazzling feats of magic.

Awarded to the short film audiences liked most as voted on by a tabulated rating system. Short films screening in the Shorts Programs
or before Narrative Competition, Documentary Competition, or International Showcase feature-length screenings were eligible for the
Audience Award for Best Short Film.

Audience Award for Best Music Video

Winner: Grapevine Fires by Walter Robot

Music: Death Cab For Cutie

Description: When a wildfire rages through a small suburb, a boy must save his older brother, and in the process finds what is really important in life.

The 2009 Palm Springs International ShortFest award winners are:

“The Dinner” (Vacsora), Karchi Perlmann

Jury Awards
Best of Festival, “The Dinner” (Vacsora), Karchi Perlmann
Future Filmmaker Award, Katie Wolfe, “This is Her”
Panavision Grand Jury Award, “Jonathan’s Home,” Nathanael Carton

Audience Awards
Live Action Short, “Dandelion Dharma,” Veronica DiPippo
Documentary Short, “Claiming the Title: Gay Olympics On Trial,” Jonathan Joiner, Robert H. Martin
Animation Short, “Lost and Found,” Philip Hunt

Jury Category Awards
Best Live Action Short under 15 minutes:
First place: “The Stars Don’t Twinkle in Outer Space,” Peter Thwaites;
Second place: “The Man Inside,” Rory Bresnihan.
Best Live Action Short over 15 minutes:
First place: “The Taxidermist,” Bert & Bertie;
Second place: “Love Hate,” Dylan Ritson, Blake Ritson
Best Animated Short:
First place: “Cages,” Juan Jose Medina;
Second place: “Juiced and Jazzed,” Justin Webber.
Best Documentary Short:
First place: “Irene,” Lindsay Goodall;
Second place: “Naming Pluto,” Ginita Jimenez.

Student Categories
Best Student Live Action Short under 15 minutes:
First place: “Cigarette Candy,” Lauren Wolkstein;
Second place: “My Four Inch Precious,” Sou Yun Sim.
Best Student Live Action Short over 15 minutes:
First place: “The Lunch Box,” Lubomir Mihailo Kocka;
Second place: “Gloria & Eric,” Nicolas Calzada.
Best Student Animated Short:
First place: “The Incident at Tower 37,” Chris Perry;
Second place: “The Incredible Story of My Great Grandmother Olive,” Alberto Rodriguez.
Best Student Documentary Short:
First place: “Waiting for Women” (Esperando Mujeres), Estephan Wagnere;
Second place: “Nutkin’s Last Stand,” Nicholas Berger.
Kodak Award for Best Student Cinematography:
First place: cinematographer Alexa Caravia, “Rare Fish”;
Second place: cinematographer Nathan Levine-Heaney, “My Four Inch Precious.”

Special Awards
The Alexis Award for Most Promising Student Filmmaker, Steven Edell, “A Son’s War.”
Special mentions went to Brooke Sebold for “Brotherhood” and Lauren Wolkstein for “Cigarette Candy.”
The Hard C High Five to Lo Fi Award for Most Entertaining Low Budget Short, “Marry, F***, Kill ,” Douglas Lamore.
The Cinema Without Borders Best International Film Award, “Kingsland #1 The Dreamer,” Tony Grisoni.

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Moon directed by Duncan Jones

The  2009 Edinburgh International Film Festival winners were announced on Sunday and Festival Patrons, Sir Sean Connery and Seamus McGarvey, were among those presenting awards.

Moon directed by Duncan Jones scooped the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film, sponsored by the UK Film Council. 

Katie Jarvis picked up the PPG Award for Best Performance in a British Feature Film for her extraordinary debut in Fish Tank. 

The award for Best New International Feature went to director Kyle Patrick Alvarez for his film Easier With Practice. 

Director Aliona Van Der Horst picked up the award for Best Documentary about Russian poet Boris Ryzhy.

The Skillset New Directors Award went to Cary Joji Fukunaga for his stunning directorial debut in Sin Nombre.

‘Bromance’ comedy Humpday directed by Lynn Shelton was awarded The Rotten Tomatoes Critical Consensus Award and director Emma Sullivan’s After Tomorrow was awarded the UK Film Council Award for Best British Short Film.

The Standard Life Audience Award as voted for by cinema-goers at EIFF went to animation The Secret Of Kells directed by Tomm Moore. 

The award for Best International Short Film went to Princess Margaret BLVD directed by Kazik Radwanksi, while The Scottish Short Documentary Award supported by Baillie Gifford was handed to director Johanna Wagner for 10 minute long film Peter In Radioland. Director Laurie Hill’s Photograph Of Jesus scooped the McLaren Award for New British Animation in partnership with BBC Film Network.

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The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) celebrates its 10th Anniversary as the premier Latino film festival in the country, unspooling in New York City from Monday, July 27 to Sunday, August 2, 2009. This year, NYILFF will debut in its new venues at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) and the Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues). Tickets go on sale July 04 and will be available at the festival’s box office at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the festival’s web site: www.NYLatinoFilm.com. NYILFF is presented by HBO(TM). 

Major stars that will be igniting the screens this year’s festival are Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Calle 13, Ruben Blades, Vin Diesel, Christina Milian, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Jim Jones, Kerry Washington, Brandon Routh, Illeana Douglas, Shannyn Sossamon, Lara Flynn Boyle, Esai Morales, Ericka Alexander, Voltio, Tego Calderon, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Victor Rasuk, Kuno Becker, Ana de la Reguera and Al Sharpton. 

“We are very excited to be celebrating our 10th Anniversary,” says Calixto Chinchilla, Executive Director. “The NYILFF began as a dream to showcase our talent and to empower Latinos. We’ve been fortunate to have grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for everyone.”

“Our 10th Anniversary is a testament to the strong support we receive from our corporate partners and the community, at large,” says Elizabeth Gardner, Executive Director. “The NYILFF has come a long way since 1999, and we continue to break ground as the #1 showcase for Latino and Urban films and filmmakers.”

“We congratulate the NYILFF on reaching a 10-year milestone,” said Lucinda Desir, vice president, Acquisition and Multicultural Marketing at HBO. “Their spirit, passion, energy and commitment to the Latino film community are just some of the reasons why we come back every year. They have truly raised the NYILFF to the premier Latino festival that it is today.”

10th ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

 OPENING NIGHT - Tuesday, July 28

LA MISSION. Opening Night is the New York premiere of LA MISSION, starring Benjamin Bratt, Jesse Borrego, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez and Talisa Soto Bratt. LA MISSION is writer-director Peter Bratt’s rich and powerful story of a man’s journey toward redemption through his struggle with violence and homophobia. The film is produced by Benjamin Bratt, Alpita Patel and Peter Bratt. Sponsored by Heineken.

 JOHN LEGUIZAMO TRIBUTE: - Wednesday, July 29

WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES. The NYILFF and Tres Generaciones(R) Tequila are proud to honor John Leguizamo, a great Hollywood success, a shining example to our community, and a long-time supporter of NYILFF. Leguizamo will be honored with the Tres Generaciones COA Award, a special award created by the brand to recognize outstanding achievements in Latino filmmaking. The film is the story of Frank, Angela, and their two children who are evicted from their New York City apartment and have no choice but to move into a homeless shelter. After a few difficult months, good news comes on Christmas Eve: a nearby housing project has an apartment available immediately, but Frank needs a job to qualify. While the rest of the city prepares for Christmas, Frank and his stepson roam the cold streets of New York trying to find a job by day’s end. Where God Left His Shoes is the story of a family that refuses to break apart during the darkest time of their lives and discovers that they will survive as long as they have each other.

 DOMINICAN NIGHT - Thursday, July 30

DON’T LET ME DROWN. Directed by Cruz Angeles. In a post-September 11th world overflowing with fear and hate, two Latinos discover that sometimes the only thing that can keep them from drowning is love. Presented by Heineken, sponsored by HBO(TM) and the Dominican American Professional Alliance.

 CLOSING NIGHT - Saturday, August 1

LA LINEA. Directed by James Cotten, LA LINEA is the story of rival mobsters and mysterious assassins waging warfare on the mean streets of Tijuana. It is a gripping crime drama with an all-star cast that includes Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Esai Morales, Armand Assante, Bruce Davison, Jason Connery, Michael DeLorenzo, Joe Morton, Valerie Cruz, Jordi Vilasuso, Danny Trejo, Kevin Gage and Gary Daniels. Presented by DIRECTV Mas, sponsored by Heineken and Tres Generaciones(R) Tequila.

 PREMIERES

CALLE 13: SIN MAPA. Calle 13’s innovative fusion of urban music with pan-regional sounds from across Latin America has garnered a Grammy, Five Latin Grammy awards, and worldwide critical acclaim. In Sin Mapa, we join the socially outspoken duo on their journey “Without a Map” across South America for an exploration of indigenous music and culture.

 LOS BANDOLEROS/FAST & FURIOUS. Los Bandoleros is the never-before-shown in theaters short film that reveals what happened to ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) after his disappearance at the end of the original adrenaline-pumping blockbuster, “The Fast and the Furious.” Living as a fugitive in the haven of the Dominican Republic, Dom’s tranquil life is eventually affected by a series of political and personal events, including his friendship with Don (Don Omar), Tego (Tego Calderon) and Han (Sung Kang), and the unexpected appearance of Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).

This leads to the latest adventure in the series, “Fast & Furious”. When a tragedy brings Dom back to Los Angeles, his long dormant feud with FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) threatens to reignite — until they discover a common enemy. Dom and Brian declare a precarious truce, as they try to outmaneuver their adversary and exact revenge. From convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, the two men push the limits of what is possible behind the wheel as they live for speed, drive for the rush and break all the rules!

RED APPLES FALLING. An uncensored look into the life and music of Harlem rap superstar Jim Jones and his Dipset Byrdgang. Rappers Mel Matrix, Sandman, NOE, Freeky Zeeky and Chink Santana comprise the most dangerous assembly of talent and muscle to emerge in decades from the streets of NY. Their real life stories, uncovered in hard-hitting interviews by Angie Martinez, weave together gritty realism with musical interludes. 

LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN. Based on the 1993 best-selling novel by Buddy Giovinazzo, LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN shows the gritty, hard realities of a neighborhood, as well as the struggling, proud people who attempt to survive. The intertwining stories come together in a powerful climax of love and salvation, showing that despite the obstacles of life in the inner city, humanity and hope can still prevail.

ASSAULT IN THE RING. For the first time ever, the HBO Sports(R) Documentary ASSAULT IN THE RING reveals the real story behind the infamous 1983 Luis Resto-Billy Collins Jr. fight at Madison Square Garden — a boxing match turned thirty-minute criminal assault.

BRING IT ON: FIGHT TO THE FINISH. Christina Milian stars as sassy cheer captain Lina Cruz, whose world is turned upside-down when her family moves from the urban streets of East Los Angeles to the sunny beach town of Malibu. At her new school, Lina clashes with Avery, the ultra-competitive all-star cheer captain, while also falling for Avery’s super-cute brother, Evan. Lina’s always been able to rise to a challenge, but can she create a new all-star squad, beat Avery at the Spirit Championships, and still keep her romance with Evan? Hot music, fierce competition and high-flyin’ fun continue in this all-new movie!

OTHER PREMIERES

PARISO. Directed by Leon Ichaso.

• SULTANES DEL SUR (Sultans of the South). Directed by Alejandro Lozano.
• LA CLAVE. Directed by Mariella Sosa.
• ROAD TO THE HOLY LAND. Documentary featuring Al Sharpton. 

As the leading U.S. Urban Latino Film festival with an estimated annual audience of 25,000, the NYILFF’s continued growth and success is due, in part, to its unique position as the only Latino film festival specifically targeting the second and third generation, English-dominant, acculturated Urban Latino - an increasingly powerful demographic that has caught the attention of Madison Avenue. According to the latest Pew Research Center figures, Latinos will comprise nearly 30% of the entire U.S. population in the next few decades and is growing at a rate 2-3 times faster than the general population. By all accounts, any marketer wishing to add new consumers MUST target the Latino demographic.

The 2009 Palm Springs International ShortFest announced its roster of 315 films, selected from more than 2,500 worldwide entries. Now in its 15th year, ShortFest will showcase 76 World Premieres, 43 North American Premieres and 14 U.S. Premieres. The selection of films for screening and competition features star-studded casts as well as award-winning films from 41 countries around the world. All selections are structured into 52 themed programs, which will screen June 23-29, 2009, at the Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs, CA. Visit www.psfilmfest.org after June 14 for a complete list of this year’s film programs.

Commenting on the Festival Darryl Macdonald, Programming and Executive Director said, “We were fortunate to have a wealth of extraordinary work submitted to us from all around the world this year, which made the selection process that much more difficult. The resulting line-up of short films is a richer, more diverse and accomplished collection of work than I’ve ever seen, and heralds a wealth of great new talent to enrich the film world for years to come.”

“We’re also excited this year about our special events at the festival, as we have brought together an exemplary list of industry heavyweights to share their knowledge - on both the ‘Digital Delivery/New Media Day’ and ‘Take it to the Next Level Day’ over closing weekend,” said ShortFest Film Curator Kathleen McInnis. “We’re giving our short filmmakers the real world tools to make that leap to feature filmmaker and beyond as part of our mandate to put filmmakers first.”

Festival attendees will be able to see a roster of films featuring familiar faces in front of and behind the camera. Four actors will have their directorial debuts featured at the Festival including Demi Moore directing Streak (USA) starring Brittany Snow, Rumer Willis and Madeline Zima; Courteney Cox-Arquette directing and starring in The Monday Before Thanksgiving (USA) along with Laura Dern and Rosemary Harris; Marianne Jean-Baptiste directing Ink (USA); and Joseph Gordon Levitt directing Sparks (USA) starring Carla Gugino and Eric Stoltz. Other star-studded shorts include past Palm Springs International Film Festival Rising Star recipient Adam Beach who stars in Help (USA); Danny Glover in This Life (Australia); Olympia Dukakis in Hove (The Wind) (USA); Alfred Molina in Lessons in Self-Defense (USA); Rick Schroeder in Locker 13: Down and Out (USA); Christopher Eccleston in The Happiness Salesman (UK); Derek Jacobi in One of Those Days (UK); Will Patton in Looking at Animals (USA); the voices of Christopher Lloyd and John Lithgow in The Macabre World of Lavender Williams (USA); and Linda Hunt narrating The Crooked Eye (USA).

The selected short films are organized into 52 programs covering a variety of genres — including thrillers, horror, animation, documentaries, and comedies — and themes, including family, war, art, grandparents, pet peeves, sex, memories, immigration, obsessions, couples, travel, parents, the Jewish experience, gay and lesbian lifestyles. In addition, one of the programs will highlight short films from the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia, based in Singapore. The school has students from 21 countries and a faculty of working film professionals all dedicated to educating the next generation of storytellers.

This year’s opening night screening on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30 p.m. will be highlighted by award-winning live-action and animated comedy films including Dead Bunny (USA), Emilia Eckle (USA), Expiration (USA), Eyelash (Switzerland), Multiple Choice (Australia), My New Toy (Australia), Stop Requested (France), The Suffering of Mr. Karpf - The Birthday (Germany), True Beauty This Night (USA) and The Williams (France).

A jury of three industry professionals will screen this year’s short films selected for competition in eighteen categories including Best Animation, Best Documentary, Best Live Action, Best of Festival and the Future Filmmaker Award. A total of $94,000 in money and production prizes, including $14,000 in cash awards will be given out. The Panavision Grand Jury Award winner will receive a digital or film camera package valued at $60,000 and five days studio time courtesy of DST Studios. An additional $7,500 in Kodak film stock will be presented to the film winners in the student award categories. First place winners in four categories will automatically become eligible for consideration by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for a possible Academy Award nomination. Over the course of its first 14 years, the Festival has presented 64 films that have gone on to receive Academy Award nominations.

Designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as an award-qualifying Festival and accredited by the International Short Film Conference, the Palm Springs International ShortFest and its Short Film Market, are the largest and most prominent short film showcase in North America. The Festival and its concurrent 2,500-film Film Market continues to serve as a scouting ground for new filmmaking talent and is well attended by those in the business of buying and selling short films.

Three days of panels comprised of industry representatives have been assembled to discuss trends and provide advice on short filmmaking. Friday, June 26 is “Digital Delivery/New Media Day” where top leaders in new media will discuss with filmmakers digital exhibition platforms, digital distribution and digital creativity. Saturday, June 27 is “Take It to the Next Level Day” with panels that will offer filmmakers tangible advice on making a feature production including packaging the production, casting the film and publicity. Sunday, June 28 is a brunch where filmmakers can meet programmers from a number of key festivals as well as theatrical, television and online buyers.

With 102 films and 6 days of deliberation, jury and audience choice award-winners were announced Sunday for the 2009 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF). Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway announced the winning films during the festivals invitation-only Filmmaker and Storyteller Awards brunch, held at Life on Wilshire.

“We are so pleased to be able to present awards to these filmmakers who have displayed an amazing array of cinematic talent and vision,” said Tanya Kersey, Founder & Executive Director, HBFF. “The 2009 Hollywood Black Film Festival award-winners reflect the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film.”

“Our filmmakers this year displayed an extraordinary range and depth to their storytelling, and I am pleased to know that HBFF continues to garner a well deserved reputation as being the premiere festival for discovering and showcasing the next generation of talented Black filmmakers,” added Kersey. “We are thrilled at how the Hollywood Black Film Festival has continued to grow in attendance, local and national awareness and acclaim from filmmakers, writers and directors.”

The winners receive prizes courtesy of Kodak, Writers Boot Camp, Entertainment Partners, Final Draft, Baseline Studio Systems & Film Tracker, Showbiz Software and Urban Network. In addition to product prizes and in keeping with the festival’s motto: “ACCESS. OPPORTUNITIES. DEALS.” The winners also receive a series of meetings with agents, managers, development, acquisition and distribution executives. Over 44 meetings have been scheduled for the filmmaker and storyteller winners.

Director Lucky Ejim’s feature film THE TENANT took the top audience prize at the 10th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival. Sponsored by Indieflix the Audience Choice Award winner took home a cash prize in addition to prizes from Entertainment Partners, Baseline StudioSystems and Showbiz Software. In the film, Obinna, an African refugee, faces imminent deportation from Canada. His landlord, a dying retired immigration officer offers to stop the deportation if he convinces his estranged daughter to reconcile with him. In 30 days he has to turn the wheels of hate to one of love.

In the narrative feature film category, BLUE, directed by Ryan Miningham took top honors. BLUE tells the story of a prize fighter who struggles to put his dark past behind him as love seems to altar his course and makes him face his redemption while preparing for the fight of his life.

The Short Film winner was (MIS)LEADING MAN written and directed by Morocco Omari. (Mis) Leading Man is an exploration of what happens to a common man caught inside of the media fishbowl as a result of getting everything that he could ever dream of. Keith Holland seemingly has everything. He’s a coveted A-list actor with all of the rights and privileges that accompany that position, but realizes that it comes hand in hand with a price that he didn’t factor in. Nothing can prepare him for the fine print that comes with celebrity, or the duality of the media.

Llewellyn Smith’s documentary HERSKOVITS AT THE HEART OF BLACKNESS earned first place honors in the documentary category. HERSKOVITS is story about 20th century anthropologist Melville J. Herskovits, who ‘re-defined’ black history, making it possible for a people formerly despised as “Negroes” to pride themselves as African-Americans. Herskovits himself was a white American of Jewish ancestry but he acquired the power to re-make the historical understanding of black people, and in the process engaged in conflicts with black scholars and elite institutions of the day. Rarely seen archival footage, provocative animation, photo re-enactments and scholars’ commentary propel the story.

In the student film category, the award was presented to THE SECOND HALF written by Andrew Chang and directed by Ralph Jeffrey Elmont. In the film, Delroy, a night janitor in a high school, meets and mentors Harlan, one of the school’s basketball stars, and is forced to confront his own past to save Harlan’s future.

1 OUT OF 10, directed by Q, won in the music video category.

The 1st place winner in the HBFF Storyteller Competition was GOOD MOTHER written by Cassie Henderson of Tallahassee, FL. In GOOD MOTHER, a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer decides to commit a crime so that she can get healthcare in prison. BORN TO PITCH written by Robyn Hatcher of New York City took 2nd place honors. BORN TO PITCH is about Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who became the first woman to ever pitch major league baseball. A member of the Negro League’s Indianapolis Clowns, this film follows Mamie’s first season on the road with the Clowns where she realizes her life long dream to play professional baseball but faces losing her marriage, her child and her dignity. 3rd place went to FAR AWAY FROM HERE written by Dapo Adeshiyan of Piscataway, NJ . In FAR AWAY FROM HERE, when the soul-singing girlfriend of a rising star lawyer becomes an overnight sensation, their ten-year relationship is put to the test as her fame continues to rise, and his career begins to falter.

Artivist founder Diaky Diaz (c) and Petrobras sponsors

The 6th Annual Artivist Film Festival and the 2009 Artivist Awards is in pre-production at the historic Egyptian Theater in the heart of Hollywood. The Festival dates have been confirmed for October 8 - 11, 2009.

Artivist Founder and President, Diaky Diaz, states: “We are looking forward to another successful year with the Artivist filmmakers and our expanding community. We have received thousands of films and it’s inspiring to see the purposeful passion of these filmmakers. Now, perhaps more than ever, we need a reminder of the interdependence between Humanity, Animals, and the Environment. We are grateful to our Sponsors and Supporters for expanding the Artivist mission of awareness, compassion, and positive action in our global community.”

“ARTIVIST” is the first international film festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children’s Advocacy, Environmental Preservation, and Animal Rights. Our mission is to strengthen the voice of advocate artists — “Artivists” — while raising public awareness for social global causes.

Since its inception in 2003 the Artivist Film Festival has screened more than 300 international advocate films representing 45 countries around the world. The Festival has toured in Hollywood, Washington, D.C., London, Lisbon, Mexico City, and Tokyo. Each year, Artivist reaches millions of people with its public relations campaign. Films premiered at the festival have included Academy Award winner “Born Into Brothels,” Academy Award Nominee “Super-Size Me,” and the Los Angeles Premieres of “Fast Food Nation,” “Emmanuel’s Gift,” “Zeitgeist,” and “Trudell” to name a few.

THE ARTIVIST AWARDS honors the winning films of the annual Artivist Film Festival and the work of outstanding advocate celebrities. Previous Honorees have included: Ted Danson, Alyssa Milano, Joaquin Phoenix, Matthew McConaughey, Daryl Hannah, Mira Sorvino, James Cromwell, Ed Begley Jr., Tippi Hedren, and Mike Farrell.

The Awards Ceremony takes place at the completion of the Artivist Film Festival at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

2009 San Francisco Sex Worker Film, Arts and Music Festival

The 2009 San Francisco Sex Worker Film, Arts and Music Festival, 10th anniversary, and 6th Biennial event begins Saturday, May 30th and features a full week of fun, sexy, political, kinky, naughty, bold and educational events.

Movies include local and international premieres including Death of a Whore, a Spanish-language biography of Grisélidis Réal, whose re-burial caused a recent international scandal; “Happy Endings” with interviews from massage parlor workers in Rhode Island as they are confronted with the racism and xenophobia of local anti-prostitution activists; Science Friction with “Cinema of Desire” in this portrait of a trans sex worker from Thailand; “You’re Welcome,” a tender and humorous story of ‘the whore next door’ from Norway; a panel and international feature about sexual services for disabled clients; sex worker activist produced short docs and experimental work include “Prostitution Free Zone” by PJ Starr, “Flipping the Lens: A Look at $pread Magazine,” and “Know Your Rights” from Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) Chicago; experimental shorts from Renegade Evolution and music videos from Scarlot Harlot; plus clips from your neighbors’ home grown porn with Blowfish, Kink.com, Jupiter Spiral, No Fauxxx, and Good Vibrations and New School of Erotic Touch including kink/SM/BD/fetish/sex ed from San Francisco with stars including Madison Young in “Bride of Sin.” This year the San Francisco Sex Worker Festival is honored to share eight short works from sexworkerspresent, the Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers. These powerful productions and collected work provide a valuable library of first person accounts of sex worker’s lives and organizing efforts in Asia and around the World. We also thank COSWAS, Collective of Sex Workers and Supporters from Taiwan for assistance curating this festival.

Read more ….

Sonoma International Film Festival cuts Executive Director

After one year on the job, the executive director of the Sonoma International Film Festival, Louisa Percudani has been laid off in a move to save money and restructure the festival’s administrative staff.
“The board truly appreciates Louisa’s contributions to the overall success of the 12th annual festival,” said board chair Kevin McNeely. “We are facing some very real economic and sponsorship challenges. The Board decided that in the best interests of festival, it was time to reorganize.”

Read more …

Kirby Dick’s Outrage to close 2009 Damn These Heels! LGBT Film Festival

OUTRAGE, the new and controversial film from Academy Award nominated filmmaker Kirby Dick (THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED) will close the 2009 edition of Damn These Heels! LGBT Film Festival. OUTRAGE is a searing indictment of the hypocrisy of closeted politicians with appalling gay rights voting records who actively campaign against the LGBT community that they covertly belong to.

‘Duke City Shootout’ Takes Hiatus

The longest running film festival in Albuquerque, is taking a break. The “Duke City Shootout” won’t happen this year.The founder of the shootout said the economy is taking its toll on the film festival which has gone from a grass roots festival to worldwide competition.  Read more …

“Paper Man” to open 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival

“Paper Man” will have its world premiere as the Opening Night Gala of the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival.  Written and directed by first-time filmakers Michele and Kieran Mulroney, the film is described by the festival as “the coming-of-middle-age story of Richard Dunn (Jeff Daniels), a writer caught between the pressures of deadlines, the expectations of his wife (Lisa Kudrow), and the constant presence of the superhero (Ryan Reynolds) who’s lived inside his head since 2nd Grade.  And then he meets a girl - a Long Island teenager (Emma Stone) whose friendship shows him that no matter how much it hurts, it’s never too late to grow up.”  Read more …

Ninth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival in NYC

This year’s Official Ninth Annual Media That Matters Film Festival is happening next Wednesday, June 3rd in NYC.  Read more …

Muskegon Film Festival (MFF) this weekend

The Muskegon Film Festival (MFF) will take place at the Harbor Theater this weekend for their 8th year.  The 2009 Muskegon Film Festival will run from May 30th through May 31st.  The festival will kick off with the movie debut of “Food, Inc.” Read more …

The Rochester High Falls International Film Festival has named John Richardson as its new executive director. Richardson was president of the festival’s board of directors from 2002 to 2009 and was previously a public affairs director at Eastman Kodak Co.

The festival which ran May 13 - 18 earlier announced its audience award winners.

Audience Award Winner Best Feature: Skin

Skin, directed by Anthony Fabian

Anthony Fabian’s debut feature tells the extraordinary true story of Sandra Laing, whose experiences with South African apartheid expose the depth of that vile system’s insanity. Although the biological daughter of a white couple, she was born with undeniably black features, hair, and “colored” (according to apartheid’s taxonomy) skin, a genetic phenomenon explained in the film. Her case became a national cause celebre when her parents asked the Supreme Court to classify her as “white.” Because apartheid laws forbade people of different races living together, they risked losing her if the court refused. But when white society rejected her, and she fell in love with black man, she fought to change her classification to “colored.” Featuring brilliant performances by Sam Neill and Alice Krige as her complex, torn, often misguided parents, and Sophie Okonedo (so memorable in HOTEL RWANDA) as Sandra (who still lives in South Africa), SKIN is a not-to-be missed experience.

Audience Award Winner Best Documentary: Signs of the Time

Imagine watching one of baseball’s earliest games, in the presence of thousands of fans but without the benefit of hand signals on the diamond that guide us through the modern game. There were no signals for strike, safe, out or foul and no announcer to interpret the game. The only signal was the umpire’s voice, consumed by the roar of thousands of excited fans. How did the signals of baseball originate? Like the origins of the game itself, the genesis of baseball’s greatest innovation is steeped in legend and fraught with polarizing opinions. SIGNS OF THE TIME is a painstakingly researched baseball documentary that was shot on location in eight states, featuring interviews with many baseball greats and re-enactments of scenes from old-time baseball games. The film explores the origins of this pivotal innovation and the baseball pioneers that shaped the course of the game and history. If you like a story about history, mystery and human achievement, you are sure to enjoy.

Audience Award Winner Best Short: JULIE, JULIE