The 23rd ANNUAL FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
ANNOUNCES FILM AWARDS
GOSPEL HILL LANDS BEST FILM
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PLAY THE GAME PICKS UP AUDIENCE AWARD
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BART GOT A ROOM RECEIVES THE INTERNATIONAL FILM GUIDE AWARD
Taken by surprise when Gospel Hill was announced for Best Film of the Fest, director/actor Giancarlo Esposito's first reaction was to call his daughter, Shayne. As he took the mic, Esposito told a heartfelt story of how he had just gotten off the phone with Shayne; how she had fished for two hours that day and caught nothing when her friends were reeling them in. At the last minute, she caught the biggest fish. Not minutes after the phone call, Giancarlo landed his. A late entry to the film festival, Gospel Hill, a gripping and dramatic tale, walked away with the big catch of the night…The Seashell Best of Fest Award. The Trophy, created by Uruguayan artist, Jesus Sosa, was presented to Esposito by Professor Nelson Pilosof, President of The World Trade Center of Montevideo.
The International Film Guide Award to the Emerging American or Canadian Filmmaker was presented by Sandy Mandleberger, representing Wallflower Press and The International Film Guide. The Award was presented to Brian Hecker for prom night comedy, Bart Got A Room.
Mark Fienberg, director of Play The Game, received the Audience Award for Best Indie Feature.
Fienberg, whose comedy Play The Game stars Andy Griffith, Doris Roberts, Liz Sheridan, and Paul Campbell, ran up to the stage to accept his honors. Fienberg commented, “This was our World Premiere; it's the first time Play The Game was ever shown to an audience. “I'm blown away. This is a huge honor.”
Other awards: Best American Indie went to Lifelines directed by Rob Margulies, Best comedy went to I Do & I Don't directed by Steve Blair, Best Director was presented to Mark Mahon for Strength and Honour, Best First-Time Director went to Chris Mason Johnson for The New Twenty, Best Actress Comedy went to Jane Lynch for I Do & I Don't; Best Actor Comedy went to Melik Malkinson for The Autuer, Best Actor Drama went to Joe Anderson for The 27 Club, Best Actress Drama was Kristin Scott Thomas for I Loved You So Long, Best On-Screen Couple went to Amy Huberman & Adam Fergus for Satellites and Meteorites, Most Creative Concept was given to Courting Condi directed by Sebastian Doggart., Best Short Film went to Animated American directed by James Baker and Joe Haidar, and Best Documentary Film went to Neshoba directed by Micki Dickoff and Tony Pagano.
Movie Going Audiences selected their favorites among all of the films and the festival programmers, Gregory von Hausch and Bonnie Leigh Adams select the Spirit of Independent awards (listed below)
A juried festival, The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, presented awards in a variety of categories for feature films, documentaries, shorts and Sunshine Celluloid (Films Made in Florida). Movie Going Audiences selected their favorites among all of the films.
Complete list of awards and Information regarding Jurors is below.
The 23rd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Complete Listing of Film Awards
Juried Awards
The Seashell Best of Fest Award
GOSPEL HILL - directed by Giancarlo Esposito
In the town of Julia, SC, the residents of the black neighborhood of Gospel Hill are being forced out of their homes to make way for a multimillion-dollar golf course development. The film stars Angela Bassett, Julia Stiles, Danny Glover and Samuel L. Jackson. The film returns for a 2 night run at Cinema Paradiso, November 24 and 25
International Film Guide Award
BART GOT A ROOM – directed by Brian Hecker
High school senior Danny Stein wants what any reasonable young man wants on prom night - to get a little lovin' from a cute girl. He's got the hotel, the limo, and the tux, and his recently divorced, slightly dysfunctional parents are rooting for him. He's only missing one thing -- the girl. Stars Steven J. Kaplan, William H. Macy, Cheryl Hines.
Best American Indy
LIFELINES – directed by Rob Margulies
The Bernstein's are not clicking on all cylinders. The family needs a tune-up…but you wonder if anything could help. Ira, the Dad is a Dr. of Dermatology. He often puts his foot down like the stamping of a feather. Nancy (mom) is literally at her wits end dealing with a Michael, the eldest, who is bursting with suppression, Meghan the evil-tongued daughter – abrasive and contemptuous. And then there's Spencer, the 12 year old who seemingly outwits all that challenge him in verbal battle. Stars Jane Adams, Joe Morton, Josh Pais.
Best Comedy
I DO & I DON'T – directed by Steve Blair
Three weeks before their wedding, Bob and Cheryl discover they have not taken the pre-marital classes required by their Catholic church. Their pastor arranges private classes for them with the Stelmacks, a couple whose seventeen year marriage is the definition of dysfunctional lunacy. Stars Jane Lynch, Matt Servitto, Alexei Gilmore and Bryan Callen.
Best Director
Mark Mahon
STRENGTH AND HONOUR
Best Actor Comedy
Melik Malkinson
THE AUTEUR
Best Actress Comedy
Jane Lynch
I DO AND I DON'T
Best Actor Drama
Joe Anderson
THE 27 CLUB
Best Actress Drama
Kristin Scott Thomas
I LOVED YOU SO LONG
Best On Screen Couple
Amy Huberman & Adam Fergus
SATELLITES AND METEORITES
Best First-Time Director
Chris Mason Johnson
THE NEW TWENTY
Most Creative Concept
COURTING CONDI – directed by Sebastian Doggart
Best Short Film
ANIMATED AMERICAN - directors James Baker and Joe Haidar:
Best Documentary Film
NESHOBA - directors Micki DIckoff and Tony Pagano
Audience Favorites
Audience Favorite American Indie Feature
PLAY THE GAME – directed by Marc Fienberg
Audience Favorite Documentary
THEY CAME TO PLAY - directed by Alex Rotaru
Audience Favorite Short
FRANK'S LAST SHOT – directed by Andrew Disney
Audience Favorite Foreign Feature
PARAISO TRAVEL – directed by Simon Brand
Spirit of Independent Features
THE 27 CLUB – directed by Erica Dunton
THE MAP READER – directed by Harold Brodie
Spirit of Independent Documentaries
TRUTH IN 24 – directed by Keith Cossrow
AN UNLIKELY WEAPON – directed by Susan Morgan Cooper
KASSIM THE DREAM – directed by Kief Davidson
Sunshine Celluloid Awards (Films Made In Florida)
Best Florida Drama
THE WRITER - Directed by Marko Sanginetto
Best Florida Comedy
CAPERS - Directed by Julian Mark Kheel
Best Florida Film
KILLER MOVIE - Directed by Jeff Fisher
Best Florida Short
CASPER & KITTY - Directed by Franco Parente
Best Florida Doc
AIRPLAY - Directed by Chris Fox Gilson and Carolyn Travis
Audience Award Florida Favorite
LOST EVERYTHING - Directed by Kim St. Leon
