“Dialogue From the Steppes,” a short film written and directed by actor Armand Assante (“Mambo Kings,” “Private Benjamin”) won the top documentary short prize at this year’s Gasparilla International Film Festival. “Dialogue From the Steppes” is described as Armand Assante’s presentation based on his own observations and feelings for the people of Kazakhstan. about the formation of an independent state, through several periods of Kazakhstan’s development, including the war years, closing of Semipalatinsk testing site, political repressions and the latest economic and political achievements of the country.

The complete list of winners of 2012 Gasparilla International Film Festival:

Life Achievment Award: Keith David

Career Achievement Award: Chazz Palminteri

Rising Star Award: Ryan O’Nan

Digital Domain Institute Award for Screenwriting Competition
“Heart of a Family” BY Sharon Duncan

Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Short Documentary
Dialogue from the Steppes

Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Documentary
Teresa Sareo – Alive Again

Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Narrative
Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best

Digital Domain Institute Award for Audience Best Short Narrative
Underground

Florida Governor’s Office Film in Florida Award for Best Florida Prod.
Subprime

Digital Domain Institute Award for Special Mention Male
Michael Weston in “Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best”

Digital Domain Institute Award for Special Mention Female
Danielle Harris

Digital Domain Institute Award for Grand Jury Short Narrative
Wolf Call

Digital Domain Institute Award for Grand Jury Short Documentary
Dilli

Digital Domain Institute Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary
The Loving Story

Digital Domain Institute Award for Grand Jury Animated Short
Live Outside the Box

Digital Domain Institute Award for Grand Jury Narrative
Downtown Express

Digital Domain Institute Grand Jury Award for Young Filmmaker
According to Plan