David Miller’s MY SUICIDE was the major winner at the 14th Annual Gen Art Film Festival, which concluded its weeklong celebration of new American Independent cinema on Tuesday evening with the screening of the Closing Night Film FINDING BLISS. The drama about an alienated teenager who chronicles his isolated high school existence through the lens of a camera won a cash award of $10,000 from the Festival’s lead sponsor Acura. The film’s lead actor Gabriel Sunday was also honored with the Stargazer Award for best breakthrough acting performance, with the film also copping Audience Award honors.

The Best Short film prize, with a cash award of $5000, was given to ADELAIDE by Liliana Greenfield-Sanders. The Gen Art Film Festival presented seven feature films and shorts over seven nights, with a chic party following each screening. This winning formula next moves to Chicago in June, where a new crop of American indies will be showcased. For more information on the Festival and other Gen Art activities in the worlds of film, music, design and fashion, log on to: www.genart.org.

Sandy Mandelberger, Film New York Editor