Winding Down

By

Kimberly Deisler

Could it possibly be day ten already? While the week was excruciatingly long in that everyone’s exhausted and choking with some kind of cough or cold, we’re finally here … on the last day of the festival.

Although most of the world considers this to be Valentine’s Day, those in Santa Barbara are celebrating the local sweetheart with Jeff Bridges Day by screening all of his Oscar nominated films, The Last Picture Show, Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, Starman and The Contender after which Bridges himself will be on hand for a Q & A, followed by the screening of his latest film Crazy Heart. If you’re stuck on what to do for the holiday, I can’t think of anything better than spending the day with Bridges.

Since we’re already on the subject of happiness, now’s probably a good time to list the winners of the various categories for the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The Panavision Spirit Award for Independent Cinema went to Stuart Hazeldine for his film Exam. This was the US Premiere for the film and obviously, its already made an impact on the audience. Additionally, Hazeldine won a camera package worth $60,000. Best International Film Award went to Klaus Haro. Letters to Father Jaakob (Postia pappi Jaakobille.) The Nueva Vision Award for best Spanish/Latin American film went to director Ciro Guerra for The Wind Journeys. Best East Meets West Cinema Award was given to the South Korean film, Mother by Joon-ho Bong. Next up was the US Premiere of Katalin Varga, for the Best Eastern Bloc Award directed by Peter Strickland. The $15,000 Blu-Ray interactive authoring of the film by Moziak Multimedia & Home Planet Productions, The Fund for Santa Barbara Social Justice Award and Best Documentary Film Award went to the documentary filmmaker Rob Lemkin for Enemies of the People. This film explores why Cambodia’s killing fields have gone unexplained, until now. The Bruce Corwin Award for Best Live Action Short Film Under 30 Minutes went to Eric D. Howell for Ana’s Playground about children surrounded by armed conflict. The Bruce Corwin Award for Best Animation Short Film was directed by Moritz Mayerhofer for Urs, about a an aging mother.

Amazing projects, incredible stories, loads of sweat, tears and maxed out credit cards all add up to an insane lifestyle indeed. Ahhh, yes, this is why we participate in the film festival and this is why I love films. I love being challenged, having my perceptions shifted, my emotions jarred and above all, I love being inspired.