The 2003 Slamdunk Film Festival wrapped their four-day long screening series at HARRY O’S on Wednesday afternoon, with an awards ceremony and an encore presentation of Pauly Shore’s “YOU’LL NEVER WIEZ IN THIS TOWN AGAIN.” This semi-autobiographical slapstick story follows Pauly playing himself as a man who loses everything he knows and has to work his way back into entertainment industry graces. Festival Founders Justin Henry and John Peterson, along with Festival Director Kimberley Browning presented nine awards in both feature and short film categories. The festival, back at it’s original home at Harry O’s, enjoyed record audiences throughout the week, including almost 500 people in the rafters for the opening day screening of Shore’s directorial debut, and former Vice President AL GORE even paid a visit.
Best Feature was presented to Ben Coccio for his film “ZERO DAY,” a digital film that follows the video diary of two high school students who are planning a Columbine-style shooting. The film’s stars Andre Keuck and Cal Gabriel share Best Actor honors for their chilling and realistic portrayal of the two social outcasts that plan and execute the act of terror. Ben accepted the award on their behalf, relating that they are both still in high school, and ironically, couldn’t miss classes.
Best Director was presented to writer/director Noah Stern, for “7 SONGS,” starring Chris Eigaman (“Maid In Manhattan,” “The Next Big Thing,” “The Last Days of Disco”) as a disgruntled rock star who abandons his obligations to the record label and rebels against the expectations of the trappings of the world in which he lives.
Best Screenplay was awarded to Howard Kaylen, for his autobiographical script “MY DINNER WITH JIMI.” Directed by Bill Fishman (“Car 54, Where Are You?”), the film that chronicles the true story of the fateful night in 1967 when Kaylen, the lead singer of the band The Turtles (“So Happy Together”), met his idols The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix in London.
The following jury awards were presented during Slamdunk’s awards ceremony:
Best Feature – “ZERO DAY,” Director/Producer: Ben Coccio ^ PRIZE – Full DVD authoring and replication deal provided by SONY DIGITAL AUTHORING CENTER
Best Feature AUDIENCE AWARD – “YOU’LL NEVER WIEZ IN THIS TOWN AGAIN,” Director/Producer: Pauly Shore
Best Director – Noah Stern, “7 SONGS”
Best Cinematography – Mark Duffield, “BUTTERFLY MAN”
Best Screenplay – Howard Kaylan, “MY DINNER WITH JIMI”
Best Actor – Andre Keuck & Cal Gabriel, “ZERO DAY”
Best Actress – Napakpapha Nakaprasitte, “BUTTERFLY MAN”
Best Short – “THE GREEN SHEIK,” Director: Cosmo Segurson ^ PRIZE – $2,500 free legal services provided by David Pierce of the Law Firm of PIERCE * GORMAN, LLC
Best Short AUDIENCE AWARD – “FUDGIE AND JANE,” Directors: Drew Martin & David Baeumler
For more post festival information, visit the Slamdunk website.
