Ladies and Gentlemen,
The results of the 9th annual DIY Film Festival are in!
First of all, thank you to all your DIY filmmakers and warriors out there. We had some awesome entries this year, amazing filmmaking. The premise of this festival has always been that you don't need corporate sponsorship to make a compelling, awe inspiring film; you only need filmmaking equipment, a compelling story, and the ability to tell it in a compelling fashion. Whether a documentary, an animated short, a science fiction drama, or a piece of the heart, all of this year's films were extraordinary.
That being said, here's the list of winners for this year's festival.
Synopsis: Cody Blue Snider tells the powerfully disturbing story of a WW2 Veteran with dementia, endlessly suffering in a confused world of the past, present and a lifetime of painful losses with Death as his only companion. When salvation presents itself in the form of a compassionate hospital nurse, a glimmer of hope is rekindled in the joyless old man’s heart. It all comes crashing down when the old man becomes convinced that Death intends to take this simple joy away from him as well. To end his misery, he strikes a deal with Death to wipe out a gang of mobsters, only to find Death has no master …and his own salvation. (from All That Remains site)
2. BEST DIRECTOR – CODY BLUE SNIDER. "ALL THAT REMAINS"
From Long Island, this young filmmaker began making films at 12. His award winning short "Lakota" got him a scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Mr. Snider's film shows an immense amount of talent, and the promise of a long and successful career in the film world.
Raftbag is a beautifully shot comedy that takes an offbeat look at the lives of America's future generation living in and around Paducah Kentucky.
Strange unexplained events keep occurring, and the fine cast keeps us grounded in this surrealistic comedy, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around them. Directed and made with help from film students at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Raftbag is apparently slang for the town of Paducah)
From IMDB:
Franklin and Pierce spend yet another typical atypical weekend in the small town of Paducah, Kentucky. Renting out costumes and working at a coffee shop to get by, they drift through bizarre normalities and uncanny coincidences, until Lucy comes to town.
Watch the
Trailer for Raftbag.
Unlikely romantic comedy about a girl raised in a traditional religious sect that runs into the adventure of her life at the hands of some free thinking friends. Excellent cast and a wonderful exploration of an unusual take on the Romeo and Juliet story.
A man who lives in an insane asylum escapes nightly to live out his fantasy of being a super hero. Or is it a fantasy? Nicely shot, hilarious comic journey with excellent special effects about a group of inmates who have to save the world.
6. BEST SHORT COMEDY HONORABLE MENTION - – THE GOAT
THE GOAT Directed by Alex Bernstein
Shot in San Francisco, our hero goes into work one day to find that the guy competing for his job won a competition they had in grade school for making the best drawing an animal. Our uptight hero can’t let go the belief that his competitor cheated, so he finds a variety of ways to get him to finally confess.
Beautifully shot and compelling drama about a homeless girl in New York who befriends a fellow angst ridden New Yorker.
Their unlikely love affair is told in Roshomon style from three points of view – and the miscommunications in perception lead to disastrous results. Here's the
Trailer for Perception.
8. BEST FEATURE DRAMA HONORABLE MENTION: GONE
Nicely shot, dark film about a former junkie who wants revenge for his brother’s death.
He tracks down all the key players involved, and eliminates them in a clever fashion.
Well shot, well acted with clever plot twists. From IMDB:
Quiet and hard working, Mike is a young man who works and lives in the city. Due to a dark past, he is forbidden by law to be in his home town and have any prior contacts. One phone call four years later will change all of this and Mike will be forced to return to his home. With help from some of Mike's friends and family, he will do what he can to make things right. But can he do it in a place he is forbidden?
Watch the
Trailer for Gone:
9. BEST SHORT DRAMA - THE ROBBERY
Ben, a small time thief with revenge on his mind, plans an elaborate fake robbery in order to murder his estranged father for a life insurance claim. As he battles internally and searches for the killer instinct to pull off the job, what Ben finds is that (from IMDB) This New York filmmaker brings us a dark, keenly made short film about a wayward son who plans to kill his father for the insurance money – only to discover that his father is already many steps ahead of him.
10. BEST SHORT DRAMA HONORABLE MENTION: MENTAL
Cleverly told tale about a psychiatrist whose patient’s stories begin to eat into the fabric of his own reality. from IMDB: Dave is a seemingly normal psychologist who ultimately discovers that his patients aren't exactly who they appear to be.
“TO in 24”Directed by
Dale Hildebrand is a breathtaking look at the city of Toronto over a period of 24 hour condensed into 48 minutes.
An independent production company sent 24 people out with digital cameras to film some piece of their city, the resulting film is thrilling.
From IMDB: In 24 hours, 24 cinematographers capture the heart, soul and everyday miracles discovered within the microcosm of a single city - in a single day. A cinematic journey across a tapestry of hope, fear, sorrow and joy, T O in 2 4 transcends preconceptions and unearths a greater understanding of humanities global interconnectedness.
Watch the Trailer for TO in 24
Wonderful film about a dog whisperer – a young man who knows how to get into the heads of difficult dogs, and the lives of their owners that are changed by his talents.
An unsettling look at the failure of the Veteran’s Administration to take care of returning soldiers from Vietnam and more recent wars.
The testimonies are powerful and strike at the heart of the lie that wounded veterans are being taken care of. Despite having lost most of his eyesight, this filmmaker knows how to tell a compelling story. Watch the film on the
Military Network here:
14. BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY HONORABLE MENTION: ONE BREATH
Excerpts from the Toronto in 24 film, this shorter version is also breathtaking in its study of a day in the life of a major urban city.
From IMDB: In one breath, we have the ability to change the world, through a greater understanding of humanities global interconnectedness. A film without words, One Breath speaks in a language that has no prejudice, as we take an experiential journey across a landscape of rituals, traditions and the appreciation of life's journey
A compelling look at the behind the scenes race for Mayor of Seattle. A bike riding populist with no money rises from the pack to defeat the front running, well financed candidates to win the Mayorship of this major PacificS coast city
From IMDB:
Seven individuals from all walks of life have one thing in common, to be the next mayor of Seattle. Political experience is negligible or non-existent; financial resources are slim. Can passion and determination be enough to overcome the raw power of money and establishment? Out of a pack of underdog candidates, will one emerge against all odds as the next mayor of Seattle in 2009? Up close interviews reveal their naiveté, hopes and dreams, and fears and concerns as the race progresses. As the election draws near and the stakes rise, viewers will be captivated by the bike-riding idealist and environmentalist Mike McGinn, who is consistently out-funded and out-spent by heavy-weight contenders. Commentaries from political pundits weigh the struggles and consequences throughout. Watch the trailer for Citizen Mayor
An insightful short film about three young children – a boy and a girl who feel awkward about playing with the autistic boy next door. However, once they invite him into their lives, he teaches both of them lessons..
From IMDB: A short film that follows the adventures of Eddie Lee, Christi and Jim as they learn the true meaning of friendship and the value that it's really what's inside that counts.
World Cinema. Feature – a beautifully shot film about a man who has made it his life’s work to track down all the bodies of those people murdered by the Romanian government during the dark Soviet years. A haunting film about a haunted man who won’t let the dead stay buried. He travels from town to town, enlisting help from the locals to tell their stories, and then recover and rebury the dead of those that were murdered in the dark of night.
18. BEST WORLD CINEMA FEATURE HONORABLE MENTION: KRAZE
Shot in the post earthquake streets of Haiti , this edgy thriller takes us into the world of gangs and power that continue to terrorize Haitians. One man wants to rise above it, and finds a way to out bully those who are bullying his friends and workplace. Film shot in Port Au Prince, Haiti
19. BEST WORLD CINEMA SHORT - ACHILLEWorld Cinema. Lando Buzzanca plays an elderly man living in Italy who gets one last chance to re-experience his glory days as an Olympic style high diver through trying to coach his grandson to jump from the high board. A terrific, funny, touching film about love, family, and believing in yourself.
World Cinema. From Romania . An excellently told tale about a young boy’s obsession with soccer. There have been famous goalies throughout the history of their national sport, and through flashbacks and dream sequences, this young boy gets to pretend to be them all.
From IMDB: Born (Nascut Campion) Champion: An 11 years old child is sent by his mother to shopping as punishment for breaking something with his football in the house. On the way to the market, his day changes in a unique adventure. Find out how the Romanian Football Legends come to save this Little Champion from the most difficult situations.
Clever film about a mental challenged man who asks a filmmaker to document his suicide.The filmmaker finds a producer, and their attorney steps in to talk them out of it. Ultimately, after granting a number of the man’s last wishes, a camera is left behind and he overdoses on pills. The film ends on the note that the filmmakers are being prosecuted by the police for their film. However, the bravura performance of lead actor Rick Haymes playing the mentally challenged man, keeps the audience wondering if this film is telling the truth or not. Brilliant in its skewering of those filmmakers who will film anything if its might have an audience – as well as a tour de force by the lead actor.
Short animation about some sheep and their owner dealing with a new source of fuel.
from IMDB: Zeke is a rancher who has a solution for global warming, at least the part made by his sheep. Bullet is the loyal sheep dog who ends up saving Zeke from his own uplifting brilliance. The result is spectacular.
Animated short about a man sitting under a tree learning about the nature of gravity.
From IMDB: If you don't respect nature, why should it respect you?
Excellent short film that takes place in deep space – a space ship returns to its mother ship but there’s something wrong in his story that bothers Ronny Cox. He has to make a life or death decision on whether to let him back into the ship.
From IMDB: In 2103, one rule in fighter combat keeps a mind controlling alien race away from Earth's doorstep.
25. BEST DEBUT FILM - BATHING & THE SINGLE GIRL
Part Bettie Page, part Billie Holiday, this one woman show was conceived and created by the actress. With the help of some very talented DP's, Ms. McCarthy shows lots of talent in this wise, funny short film.
We are gathering for our annual awards banquet on March 4th, 2011 at the historic Roosevelt hotel in the heart of Hollywood. We will be screening a sampling of our winning films, along with cocktails and hors d'eouvres, and mingling with industry professional that we invite to meet the filmmakers. Please respond to the individual email sent to you for further details, reservations. Congratulations one and all!!!!
