Ballots collected from the audience of more than 10,000 at the 4th Annual Marco Island Film Festival proclaimed the winners as “feel good films,” in written and overheard comments.
Dean Stockwell, star of the festival’s Best Feature Comedy “Face to Face” and his director Ellie Kanner, praised Marco Islanders in return for making them welcome during the five-day festival. Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree Jane Russell said she was thrilled to stay in a private home instead of a hotel as seasonal residents of the island had donated furnished houses and condominiums to accommodate celebrity guests and independent filmmakers for the five-day festival October 17-21.
Other Marco Island Film Festival 2001winners determined by audience votes were: ^ “The Bread, My Sweet” -Best Feature in the category of Drama, produced by Adrienne Wehr, directed by Melissa Martin and starring Scott Baio and Kristin Minter and Rosemary Prinz. ^ “Marco Polo-Return to Xanadu” – Best Feature in Family film category, produced by Ron Merk ^ “The Legacy of Rosina Lhevinne” – Best Documentary, by Salome Arkatov ^ “Ornaments” – Best Short Animation, by Aaron Erimez ^ “Bravo, Giorgio!” -Best Short Drama, by John Plausse ^ “Dodgeball” -Best Short Comedy, by Donald Bull
An independent jury also chose winners in various categories from among the 96 films screened during the festival competition. Announced as winners of The Marco Island Film Festival’s Pelican Awards were: ^ Cinematography: Arledge Armenaki for the film “Surfacing” ^ First Short: Aaron Erimez for “Ornaments” ^ First Feature: Eva Gardos for “An American Rhapsody” ^ Screenplay: Eva Gardos for “An American Rhapsody” ^ Director: Christine Lahti for “My First Mister” ^ International Film: Mahesh Mathai for “Bhophal Express” from India
New this year was the Sir Tim Rice Award that went to Rob Asselstine for “Frankenstein…Do You Dream” for excellence in music in a short film.
Earlier on Sunday via teleconferencing, Nastassja Kinski was awarded the Marco Island Film Festival’s Terry Scarlet Award, for her contributions to the independent film industry and for her work in “An American Rhapsody.” A new film commitment prevented her from traveling to Marco Island for the screening of “An American Rhapsody,” the festival’s opening night film.
“Have You Seen Clem?” producer Dan Wilkins was awarded the John Esvang Humanitarian Award for his documentary portraying the plight of the homeless. Honoring the best original score in a film, the Dale Melbourne Herklotz Award went to John McCarthy for the music in “Dischord.”
Part of the festival’s celebrity activities included a staged screenplay reading by the visiting celebrities. Chosen from among six submitted finalists was “Distance” written by Mirtha Vega.
High school and college student entries competed, with awards going to the following: ^ First and Third Place Awards to Jennifer Braddock of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts for “Bosom Buddies” (First Place) and “Statistics” (Third Place). ^ Second Place to Dan Eckman of Manchester School of Technology for “Using Lilly.”
In college competition, First Place went to Justin Chinn of University of Southern California for “Ed.” ^ Second Place to Michael Elkins of Loyola Marymount University for “No. 11.” ^ Third Place to Alexander Scott of Pratt Institute for “Deadline.”
For more information, call 941-642-3378, or visit The Marco Island Film Festival web site.
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