It is strange that a company specializing in selling bottled sparkling water should take such an interest in promoting their brand through acknowledging film festivals, but we really can’t find anything wrong with it. Perrier, of all companies, has selected the last three festivals to participate in The Perrier “Bubbling-Under Award.” Sounds fizzy! The 2001 slate rounds out with the
10th Annual Florida Film Festival, June 8-17; the
6th Annual Nantucket Film Festival, June 20-24; the
9th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival , October 17-21.
Perrier, the best selling imported sparkling brand in the country, and a member of the largest premium bottled water group, the Perrier Group of America, has taken a stake in independent film with the establishment of this award. Perrier is partnering with five film festivals nationwide to give individual awards to first-time feature directors. At the end of the year, Perrier will assemble a jury to review these five films and select a grand-prize winner, who will receive a grant of $50,000 to be applied to their next production.
“The outstanding festivals that we have partnered with on the Perrier “Bubbling Under Award” showcase top films and the hottest up and coming directors,” said Elena Paraskeva. “Perrier is proud to support independent filmmakers in their endeavor to bring to life their creative visions,” Paraskeva continued.
Celebrating its tenth year, the Florida Film Festival showcases the best American Independent and Foreign Films. This year, Orlando’s event takes place from Friday, June 8 to Sunday, June 17. The Festival features more than 50 feature films (both narrative and documentary), over 70 shorts, and a full array of forums, parties, and other special events.
The Nantucket Film Festival, created in 1996, recognizes original voices in film and honors the screenwriters who created them. From June 20-24th, the festival will present a spirited program of independent films, staged readings of un-produced scripts, panel discussions and an annual Writer’s Tribute. From the very start, the NFF has been dedicated to the idea that the writer is the key to all good filmmaking.
The 9th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) takes place this year on October 17-21, 2001 in and around scenic East Hampton, New York. The festival will present five days of morning-to-night programs that feature a diverse selection of international films distinguished by their creativity and independent sensibility. HIFF offers the chance to explore the world of independent film by hosting panel discussion, seminars and ongoing workshops that bring fresh emerging talent together with renowned industry professionals.
The first “Bubbling Under Award” was presented at the 16th Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival to director Rosemary Rodriguez for her debut feature ACTS OF WORSHIP. Screened at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, ACTS OF WORSHIP, starring Ana Reeder and Michael Hyatt, is a lyrical exploration of one woman’s spiraling descent into drug addiction.
Randy Redroad, director of THE DOE BOY was selected as the second finalist for The Perrier “Bubbling Under Award” for first-time filmmakers at the Taos Talking Picture Festival, April 5-8. THE DOE BOY, selected as the American winner of the 2000 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Award, is about a half-Cherokee boy named Hunter, a hemophiliac, in a culture obsessed with blood identity.
Helping to further independent vision, Perrier partnered with
Nibblebox to select a student director to create a Perrier film trailer representing the brand in its support for independent film. The winning submission created by Annette Miñoso, a 3rd year film student major at Barnard, was selected to become the Perrier trailer that will be presented at film festivals nationwide including the three just announced.
Get more info at the Perrier natural sparkling mineral water web site.
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