FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Rick Prickett, Competition Director
858-454-9787
TheIndieFEST.com
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The IndieFEST Film Awards Announces Latest Winners!
La Jolla, CA, May 2021 – The IndieFEST Film Awards strives to give talented directors, producers, actors, creative teams and new media creators the positive exposure and credibility they deserve. IndieFEST discovers and honors the achievements of filmmakers who produce high quality films and new media. Attracting both powerhouse industry veterans as well as talented new filmmakers, The IndieFEST is an exceptional, truly international awards competition, not a traditional film festival. The goal of IndieFEST is about helping independent filmmakers gain the credibility and publicity they justly deserve. Our talented IndieFEST award winners have gone on to win Emmy, Telly and other awards.
~ Best of Show ~
Green Sea – Angeliki Antoniou
Angeliki Antoniou (Greece/Germany), Green Sea, (Prasini Thalassa), Film Feature – ANNA has lost her memory, but she hasn’t forgotten how to cook. One night she appears in a working-class neighborhood by a Greek harbor. There she meets the unpredictable loner ROULA and finds work and hospitality at his humble tavern. In the kitchen, amidst the scents of spices, she struggles to reconstruct her past. Her simple but delicious food awakens memories for the regulars who in turn help her to reconnect with herself. The story then takes an unexpected turn when Roula suddenly stumbles upon the GREEN SEA and discovers Anna’s true identity. A deftly directed, sensitive and touching story with complex, engaging characters brought to life by a talented cast with charmingly authentic performances. Stars: Angeliki Papoulia (The Miracle of the Sargasso Sea, A Blast), Yannis Tsortekis (Suntan, Ballad for a Pierced Heart), Tasos Palatzidis (Peppermint, Min psaroneis). Produced by: Lilette Botassi (Inkas Films), Jost Hering (Jost Hering Filme).
~ Award of Excellence Special Mention ~
Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri (USA), The Great Artist, Film Short – A gifted artist finds himself in a broken balance between creating art and his struggle as his Dissociative Identity Disorder unravels his life. Sensitive direction, important message, lush lighting and cinematography. Exceptional performance by Matthew Postlethwaite and a talented cast – Marimar Vega, Benjamin Patterson and Emmy-nominee Rain Valdez.)
Mark Borkowski (USA), Hungry Ghosts, Film Short – Frank searches for his heroin addicted wife through crime-riddled streets. He visits a voodoo healer who sees her being devoured by ‘hungry ghosts’. A potent metaphor for the opioid crisis and families torn apart. Authentic performances from a talented cast. Mark Borkowski (Boardwalk Empire), David McKittrick (Cucina), Karen Giordano (Happy), Melissa O’Donnell (Certifiable).
Jackson Prince, Alec Gondobintoro (USA), Gardening Eden, Film Short – Daytime Emmy-winner Price’s son’s debut film about the world of a domestic relationship – experienced through a future father’s message to his unborn child. A touching look at the complicated emotional pulls of parenthood and partnership. Expressive scripting and genuine performances. Ben Whitehair (Better Call Saul) and Monique Blanchard (Hawaii Five-0).
József Gallai (Hungary), The Poltergeist Diaries, Film Feature – Oscar-nominated Eric Roberts supports a talented young cast in this psychological horror film. After moving to an isolated cabin, Jacob vanishes without a trace. Using footage he leaves behind, his family, friends and a detective try to find answers to strange events centered around him. András Korcsmáros (Genius), Péter Inoka (Aftermath), Kata Kuna (Witch House).
Alejandro Marquez Vela (Mexico), Wrong Turn, Film Short- Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Mexican countryside – a young couple realizes that a wrong turn on the road can lead to a new beginning. A short film filled with both surprising twists and all too familiar relationship dilemmas. Excellent performances by leads Jessica Park (Sleep Tight, Daredevil) and David Angulo (Modern Love, Logout).
Gudmund Helmsdal (Faroe Islands), Brother Troll (Trøllabeiggi), Film Short – In the 1800’s Faroe Islands, two brothers struggle to save their relationship after the loss of their sibling. Lush cinematography captures a coldly beautiful environment, a backdrop for the harshness of life and the icy yet bonded brothers. A unique fable with a twist. Deft direction, melodious soundtrack and authentic performances from Búi Dam and Nicolaj Falck.
Huazhang Dai (USA), Where the Light Ends, Asian (Student) – Student Academy Award winner Dai delivers a moving film that is both tragic and painfully common. Just before the High School Exam in China, a young girl has to endure the constant bullying of her best friend. An agonizing glimpse at the institutions that ignore this hateful behavior and the trauma for the children involved. Touching performances by Zili Zhang and Jiayu Ye.
Chris John Brooke (United Kingdom), Hiroshima City of Water, Doc Feature – A poignant documentary chronicles stories from survivors of the 1945 Hiroshima atomic bomb, their terrifying experiences, the emotional tolls and the way that informed their lives. Through drawing parallels with the seven rivers that flow through the city – these “Rivers of Souls” symbolize the indomitable spirits of these extraordinary people.
~ Award of Excellence ~
Alejandro Marquez Vela (USA), Wrong Turn, Actor: Leading (David Angulo as Roberto), Actress: Leading (Jessica Park as Penny), Latin / Hispanic
Andy Maycock (USA), THE BEST MAN’S PRIVILEGE, Editing (Avery Maycock)
Angeliki Antoniou (Greece/Germany), Green Sea, Actor: Leading (Yannis Tsortekis as Roula), Actress: Leading (Angeliki Papoulia as Anna), Women Filmmakers
Bijan Daneshmand (United Kingdom), The Bahramis, Actor: Leading (Bijan Daneshmand as Reza Bahrami)
Catherine Dao (USA), Symphoria, Actor: Leading (A Martinez as Carl Wittig)
Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri (USA), The Great Artist, Actor: Leading (Matthew Postlethwaite as The Great Artist)
Jake Yun (USA), Escalation, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Jessica Gould (USA), Babylon: Ghetto, Renaissance, and Modern Oblivion, Narration / Voice-Over Talent (Ezra Knight)
John Leben (USA), Amy and the Tortoise – How Animals Saved the Planet, Children / Family Programming
Larry Ulrich (USA), I’m Not Special, African American
Lisa Ranran Hu (USA), Scarlet, Asian (Student), LGBT (Student)
Next Anyextee and Neil Cabana (USA), The Brazilian Templars Mystery, Movie Trailer
Oskar Dektyar (USA), The Clown Without A Mask, Documentary Short
Paul Schwartz (USA), A NEW YORK STORY, Film Short
Samantha Saltzman (USA), Adulting With Jane, Educational / Instructional / Training, Commercial / Infomercial
Samuel J Punto (Germany), Distortion (Verzerrung), Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Samuel Player (United Kingdom), The Queen’s Heart, LGBT, Animation
Sophie Harvey (Canada), An Introvert’s Guide to High School, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Steven Luchel (France), Smoking Kills, Film Short, Direction
Ted Campbell (USA), BLUE MOTEL, Script / Writer
~ Award of Merit Special Mention ~
Alek Lev (USA), What?, Actor: Leading (John Maucere as Don)
Alessandro C. Masella (Italy), Morella, My Wife, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Alessandro C. Masella as Leonard Agalpe)
Andrew Suzuki (New Zealand), Ollie versus The Beehive, Documentary Feature, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Andy Maycock (USA), THE BEST MAN’S PRIVILEGE, Movie Trailer
Ankit (India), LIAR LIAR, Film Short, Script / Writer
Catherine Dao (USA), Symphoria, Original Score (Composed by David Lamont)
Dark Hoffman (USA), The Shack, an Atmos-Fearic Thriller, Film Short
Dathan Smith (USA), L.I.F.E., Episode 2: The Road Not Taken, Actress: Leading (Skyler McIntosh as Grace Gibbons)
David Goodall (United Kingdom), The Magical Beacon Stone, Children / Family Programming, Cinematography (Kenneth Caldwell)
Harlow Schuman (USA), Holding the Rope, Documentary Short (Student)
Kip Pearson (USA), I’m Fine, Women Filmmakers, Original Score (I’m Fine composed by Sky (Jim Schuyler))
Lee Ryan Coston (USA), A TATTOO for Christmas, Christian, Script / Writer
Maartje Nevejan (Netherlands), are you there, Documentary Feature
Marshall Woodworth (USA), Bourbon Street Taps, Music Video
Samuel J. Punto (Germany), Distortion (Verzerrung), Creativity / Originality
Sophie Harvey (Canada), An Introvert’s Guide to High School, Experimental (Student)
WonChan Sohn (USA), The Annunciation, Actor: Leading (Benton Jennings as Rabbi), Christian
Zach Stevens (USA), Highland Home, Music Video
~ Award of Merit ~
Alek Lev (USA), What?, Disability Issues, Actor: Supporting (Josh Breslow as Jamie), Actor: Supporting (Jeremy Guskin as Walton), Viewer Impact: Content / Message Delivery
Alexis Smith and Rachale Davies (New Zealand), The Collective, Web Series
Alina Hernandez (USA), The Guy Who Left for Milk, Actress: Leading (Suvi Honkanen as Addi), Women Filmmakers, Editing
Amy Andersson (USA), Women Warriors: The Voices of Change, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Andrea Thoenes and Michael Thoenes (USA), Cubekins, Invasion of the Cubecumbers, Animation, Children / Family Programming
Bijan Daneshmand (United Kingdom), The Bahramis, Web Series
Brian K. Burns (USA), Through A Glass, Dimly, Film Feature
Cameron Francis (USA), Lindsey, Film Short, Actor: Leading (Cameron Francis as Charles and Rory)
Catherine Dao (USA), Symphoria, Actress: Leading (Catherine Dao as Professor JT Dalton)
Chandra Vandry (USA), Samson, Documentary Feature
Christopher R. Owens and Alyssa Dann (USA), GEORGE FLOYD: SAY THEIR NAMES, Music Video
Ciaran Parsons (United Kingdom), One Minute Show, Web Series, Actress: Leading (Gunce Ates as The Presenter)
Claire Haywood (Australia), Chan & Dee’s Drink Tank, Web Series, Women Filmmakers
Cody DeTurk (USA), Maybe I Don’t Actually Suck, Film Short (Student)
Dathan Smith (USA), L.I.F.E., Episode 2: The Road Not Taken, Television – Program / Series
David Goodall (United Kingdom), The Magical Beacon Stone, Actor: Supporting (Mark Cox as Peter Passerby), Film Short, Actor: Supporting (Jimmy Chisholm as Max Moorcote), Actor: Supporting (Lee Samuel as Frankie Bacon), Original Score (The Magical Beacon Stone composed by David Goodall), Original Song (The Beacon)
Deena ElGenaidi and Jenny Irving (USA), Codependent, Web Series
Denis Voronin (Russia), Sonya and Lenya, Television – Pilot Program
Elise Chen (USA), The Zoom Call, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Eve Liu (USA), Journey to the East, Asian (Student)
Francisco J. Hidalgo (USA), Uncivil Seizure, Film Short
Gabriel de Varona (USA), Hurricane Flora, Latin / Hispanic
Gearóid Dolan (USA), Protest: Queer Liberation March for Black Lives and Against Police Brutality, NYC 2020, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Gearóid Dolan (USA), The Biggest Obstacle, Disability Issues, Documentary Feature
Harlow Schuman (USA), Reflections, Public Service Programming / PSA (Student)
Huw Christie (USA), The Cost of Denial, Documentary Feature
Jared Moossy (USA), It’s Just Me, LGBT, Cinematography
Jason Boegh and Antonio Miros (USA), OUTDATED, Television – Pilot Program, Actor: Leading (Jason Boegh as Warren)
Jason Snellman, Robo & Bash Productions (USA), A Blue Shroud, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Cinematography
Jessica Gould (USA), Babylon: Ghetto, Renaissance, and Modern Oblivion, Jewish, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Jonathan Schroder (USA), The Boys in Red Hats, Documentary Feature, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
József Gallai (Hungary), The Poltergeist Diaries, Original Score (Composed by Gergo Elekes)
Kyle Klubal (USA), Off On Buttons, Film Short
Leah Cameron, Lauren Corber and Natalie Novak (Canada), The Communist’s Daughter, Web Series
Mareks Kuzmins (United Kingdom), Arča: A Story in Colours, Disability Issues
Marguerite Hayter and Laetitia Beau (France), ORGANIC BABY, Nature / Environment / Wildlife (Student)
Matthew Dickinson (USA), Sonic Conspiracies, Actor: Leading (Matthew Dickinson as Sonic Reviews USA), Contemporary Issues / Awareness Raising
Next Anyextee and Neil Cabana (USA), The Brazilian Templars Mystery, Documentary Feature
Nima Soofi and Daniel Ricardo Irias (USA), The Author, Documentary Feature
Rebecca Hu (USA), The Fash Life Series, Web Series
Rex Moribe (USA), Dear Thalia, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest, Documentary Feature
Sada Rajiah and Desire Prevost (Mauritius), Three Wise Men – Parallel Lives, Documentary Feature, History / Biographical
Yuchen Gao (USA), BLACK KEY, Women Filmmakers (Student)
Zelalem Woldemariam, Jean-Paul Wall and Pedro Marques (Ethiopia/Sweden/Portugal), Abeba, Film Short
Zhang Hong-Jie (Taiwan), Rainbow Flag Flying High, LGBT (Student)
Zsofia Katona (USA), Norabelle, Animation (Student)
~ Award of Recognition ~
Alfredo Gómez (Spain), Father, daughter and old woman, Film Short, Actress: Leading (Teresa Gómez as Carmen)
Alina Hernandez (USA), The Guy Who Left for Milk, Set Design
Amber Akhtar (USA), Smoke Break, Film Short (Student), Women Filmmakers (Student)
Amy Andersson (USA), Women Warriors: The Voices of Change, Women Filmmakers
Amy Sukserm (USA), (H)OURS, Music Video (Student), Concept (Student)
Ben Makinen (USA), JazzTown, Documentary Feature
BiLan Liao, Diary of the Dragon’s Daughter, LLC (USA), An Artist’s Journey from China to America, Asian, Documentary Short
Bill Jackson (United Kingdom), FLOAT, Sound: Overall Impact
Blair Dottin-Haley and Brandon Dottin-Haley (USA), The #SAVAGECHATSERIES, Web / Internet Programming
Bobby Adams and Bryan Ashford (USA), Do It Yerself Dewey/Sweet on Dewey S1 E9, Web Series
Brian K. Burns (USA), Through A Glass, Dimly, Actress: Leading (Magda Porter as Miss Jenny)
Catherine Dao (USA), Symphoria, Women Filmmaker
Canyon Clark (USA), The Rope, Film Short, Script / Writer
Carlos Dunn (USA), Maggie Shayne’s Embrace The Twilight, Film Feature, Production Design
Christian and Jason Bareford (USA), The Dirty Hands Man, Actor: Supporting (Erik Thompson as Robert Barlow)
Colby Herbst (USA), Girls Are Weird, Film Short
Craig Huckerby (Canada), WAS I NEXT? THE SEAN CRIBBIN STORY, Documentary Feature, LGBT
Dan Parks (USA), America: Socially Speaking, Documentary Feature
Dantly “ProwlaMan” Wyatt (USA), Larry Dickem (episode 2), Webisode
Dash (Netherlands), Presence of Absences, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest
Ed Breeding (USA), Traditional Indigenous Ways of Being, Documentary Feature
Edward Jeong-hoon Song and Andrew Jeong-ho Song (Republic of Korea), Navigating Rough Waters: How to Stop Past Wounds from Stealing Future between Korea and Japan, Young Filmmaker – 17 and younger
Elizabeth Usher (Australia), I Could Uke All Week With You, Music Video
Elizabeth Usher (Australia), There is Room at the Table, Music Video
Erin M Wiljanen (USA), The Primary Difference is Who You See in Yourself, Experimental, Women Filmmakers
EveNSteve Schaub (USA), Rokeby, History / Biographical
EveNSteve Schaub (USA), A Wonderful Plague, History / Biographical
EveNSteve Schaub (USA), The Home Of My Choice, History / Biographical
Francisco J. Hidalgo (USA), Uncivil Seizure, Direction
Giampiero Torello (Italy), Fearless, Film Feature
Giles Sander (Canada), Soiled Shorts: THE SERIES, Television – Pilot Program
Grace Sims (USA), Birth of Venus, LGBT
Greg Runnels (USA), Let’s Talk About Farts, Film Short
Gregory Gunder (USA), Choral Music in South Florida – Dr. Kenneth Boos, Documentary Short
Inna Goroh (Namibia), Citizens – Only Jesus Christ Music Video, Christian
Jason Christ (USA), 10/31/2020, LGBT, Original Score (Composed by Randy Kish Jr. and Nick Geller)
Jeanette Groenendaal (Netherlands), Dutch Cocaine Factory, Documentary Feature
Jessica Gould (USA), Babylon: Ghetto, Renaissance, and Modern Oblivion, Women Filmmakers
JianHao Tan (Singapore), I Am A Teacher, Film Short, Web / Internet Programming
Job Ethan Christenson (USA), BOJ the movie, Disability Issues
John Powell (USA), Between Forever, African American, Film Feature
Josef Steiff (USA), Jesse James, LGBT
Justin Strange (USA), Hidden Letters, Film Short (Student)
Lin Que Ayoung (USA), B-Sides The Series, Television – Pilot Program, Women Filmmakers
Melver Ritz L. Gomez, Ylocostar Films (Philippines), Iyallatiw (To Transfer), Documentary Short, History / Biographical
Michael J. Maimone (USA), isolation:001:the movie, Music Video
Mike McGee (USA), Happy Days! A Tribute to the Buffalo Bills, Music Video
Miranda Bowden-Parker (USA), The Light Dares To Desert Me, Actress: Leading (Katherine Norland as Alicia), Editing
Nick La Marca (USA), Reception, Film Feature (Student)
Nikki Swift and Matt Swift (USA), Those Who Spring of Me, Disability Issues
Patricia White (USA), Mrs. Whittle’s Cottage, Children / Family Programming
Paul Ingles (USA), Noon Time Legends, Documentary Feature, Sports
Pelan Le (USA), Inamorata, Film Short, Original Score (Inamorata composed by Nick Montopoli)
Phillip Chavez (USA), Manada, Experimental
Racheal Mbewe (Zambia), Mphaso, Women Filmmakers
Roman Romanov (Ukraine), Power of Moths, Disability Issues
Sally Rayn (USA), Still Treading Water, Music Video, Arts / Cultural / Performance / Plays
Sam O’Neill (Ireland), Some Strange Being, Film Short (Student), Direction (Student)
Sarah Rosenthal (USA), We Agree on the Sun, Experimental
Seayoon Jeong (USA), Captive, Experimental
Shihyun Wang (Taiwan), The two emperor poets, History / Biographical
Shihyun Wang (Taiwan), Fighters in an invisible battle, Documentary Short
Shihyun Wang (USA), What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico, Latin / Hispanic, Documentary Short
Shihyun Wang (USA), 20 something in Taiwan, Asian
Shihyun Wang (USA), Poems by two emperor poets, Asian
Skyler Thomas (USA), Eschaton, Film Short
Steven JR Lawson (United Kingdom), THE RED MIST, Movie Trailer
Sue Backs and Emmett Hanly (Canada), Motherhood and Being a Sandwich or The Best Laid Plans, Film Short
Tina-Marie Cox and Cranstan Cumberbatch (USA), Secretly Pregnant During A Pandemic, Women Filmmakers
Umberto Squitieri and Stefano Squitieri (Italy), The click, Film Short, Direction
Yi Xiong (USA), Singing Alone With A Farewell, Film Short (Student)
Yuri Brown (USA), Cursed Angel, Women Filmmakers, Actress: Leading (Yuri Brown as Crystal)
Zhang Hong-Jie (Taiwan), Rainbow Flag Flying High, Liberation / Social Justice / Protest (Student), Asian (Student)
