Indie Feature Film Neo Ned directed by Van Fischer picked up several awards this past weekend at the Palm Beach International Festival in Palm Beach Florida and the Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach, California. Continuing their winning streak, director Van Fischer and star Jeremy Renner will present “Neo Ned” at a special screening in support of the SOAR (Sarasota Openly Addresses Racism) Symposium in Sarasota, Florida.
“Neo Ned” swept the feature film category at the 11th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival, which came to a close on April 28th, 2006. “Neo Ned” was awarded Best Feature Film, Best Director, and Best Actor and Best Actress went to the film¹s stars Jeremy Renner and Gabrielle Union.
At the Newport Beach Film Festival, “Neo Ned” was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking Best Feature Film Award at closing on April 30th, 2006. The Newport Beach Festival included over 350 films representing more than 35 countries.
These new awards come after winning the Audience Award at the Slamdance, Sarasota, and Ashland film festivals.
“Neo Ned” is now returning to Sarasota to participate in the SOAR symposium. This year¹s theme is “Celebrating Diversity” and opening the event will be a screening of “Neo Ned” to be held on Thursday, May 4th, 2006 at 7:00 PM at the Hollywood 20 theatres. City Commissioners and the Mayor of Sarasota will be in attendance as well as VIP guests, press, and students from the local high schools and colleges. “Neo Ned” will have an incredible impact in a city that is historically the 10th most racially segregated community in the country.
Van Fischer exclaimed, “We are overwhelmed and thrilled with all the recognition our film has received. We are looking forward to attending the upcoming SOAR symposium and are honored that our film is viewed as a positive tool in creating dialogue on the themes of racial equality and diversity.”
