20th Anniversary a Jubilant Celebration
It was a fitting commemoration of the Platinum Edition of the International Family Film Festival this past weekend at Raleigh Studios. With over 100 films from 17 countries screened - there was something for the whole family. The complete list of festival finalists and winners is available at www.iffilmfest.org. All films and screenplays shared a common thread - the enriching role that family plays in the stories of our lives.
Actress GiGi Rice served as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies and expertly guided the evening. In addition to the jury awards, IFFF also presented some special awards: The IFFF SPIRIT AWARD went to the highly acclaimed film Under the Blood Red Sun directed by Tim Savage with Red Sun Productions; this year’s IFFF DIRECTORS GOLD AWARD went to Santa’s Boot Camp with Ken Feinberg serving as director, writer and producer from Creative Studios of Atlanta; and The Sparrows Nesting from directors Nancy Criss and Josh Hodgins of Nandar Entertainment/Weathervane productions received the IFFF PEARL AWARD.
The newly created IFFF HUMANITARIAN AWARD was presented to director Eric Kabera for his inspirational film Intore. And finally, the 2015 FRIZ AWARD FOR ANIMATION was bestowed upon Floyd Norman, who has added to our cherished childhood memories with his amazing voice work. Presenting the award was Don Hahn, who was a Friz Award recipient in 2003.
Audiences also got the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. The winner of the TOP APPLAUSE AWARD went to Turtle Tale, directed by Luc Campeau.
The following are the 2015 IFFF Jury Prize Winners:
2015 FEATURE FILM WINNERS
BEST FEATURE DRAMA
The Cokeville Miracle
Director, Producer, Writer, DP: T.C. Christensen
Remember Films
BEST FEATURE FOREIGN DRAMA
Next Station Is Love(Hong Kong)
Director: Terry Lee
The Media Evangelism Limited
BEST FEATURE COMEDY
Hybrids
Director: Tony Randel
HAS III Entertainment
BEST FEATURE FOREIGN COMEDY
Wayang Boy (Singapore)
Director: Raymond Tan
Brainchild Pictures
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
Gridiron Heroes
Directors: Andy Lauer, Seth Camillo
ReelAid.org
BEST FEATURE EDUCATIONAL
The3Tails: A Mermaid Adventure
Director/DP: Andres Garreton
The2Tails
BEST CHILD ACTOR
Kimball Stinger
The Cokeville Miracle
Remember Films
2015 IFFF Short Film Winners
BEST DRAMA – U.S.
Play Date
Director/Writer/Producer: Paige Morrow Kimball
Makazan Films
BEST DRAMA - FOREIGN
Lady Luck (UK))
Director/Writer/Producer: Jo Lewis
Breakneck films
BEST COMEDY
Bark Mitzvah
Director: Ken Goldberg
Kendall Goldberg Films
BEST ANIMATION – U.S.
The Looking Planet
Director: Eric Law Anderson
Giant Dolphin Pictures
BEST ANIMATION - FOREIGN
The Bedward Story (UK)
Director, Writer, Animator: Lee Guilliland
BEST DOCUMENTARY – U.S.
Krusing America
Director/Writer/Producer: Linda Kruse
BEST DOCUMENTARY - FOREIGN
Knit Me Some Happiness (UK)
Director: Sofia Olins
Tisk Media Productions
BEST EDUCATIONAL
History’s Heroes
Director/Writer/Producer: Kevin Robert McDermott
The Rusty Bucket Kids.com
BEST MUSICAL
My Dog
Director/Editor: Norm Bosworth
Cedar Breaks Music
Empath Media LLC
2015 IFFF Student Film Winners
BEST DRAMA
Helyn Springs
Director/Writer: Noah Camenker
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
BEST COMEDY – U.S.
Harmony Brooks
Director/Writer: Whitney Clinkscales
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
BEST COMEDY - FOREIGN
Believe You
Director/Writer: Margarita Grant
Met School of Film, UK
BEST ANIMATION
Thundercluck
Director/Writer/Animator: Paul A.Tillery IV
Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
BEST MUSICAL
Parent-Teacher – The Musical
Director: Austin Michael
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
BEST EDUCATIONAL
Hula is My Language
Dir: Shailynn Shirley, Raymond Martino
Inclusion Films
BEST MIXED MEDIA
Imaginapped
Dir: Stian Hafstad
Columbia University, New York
2015 IFFF Screenplay Winners
Best Feature Length Screenplays:
DRAMA
The Art of Silence
By Mary Krell-Oishi
COMEDY
Elmer’s Glue
By David Boito
ANIMATION
Hooked
By Timothy Benson
SCI-FI/FANTASY
The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother
By Anita Brandt Burgoyne
Best Short Screenplays:
DRAMA
Second Daughter
By Dennis Cravens
COMEDY
Nellie vs the Librarian
By Scott & Paula Merrow
ANIMATION
Pet Capers
By Rob Malenfant
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About the International Family Film Festival -- The International Family Film Festival (IFFF) celebrates the belief that family stories are more powerful, insightful and entertaining than ever. It champions the spirit and talents of indie, studio and international inspired productions. Annually, IFFF recognizes outstanding achievement in Film & Screenwriting, offering Feature, Short, & Student categories.
IFFF is a 501 ©(3) founded in 1994 by Chris Shoemaker, Suzanne Shoemaker, and Patte Dee McKee, to exhibit and advocate for the production of family films. Originally established in the City of Santa Clarita, a north Los Angeles County suburb that is rich with film history and lore dating back to the silent picture era, the IFFF has spent 8 years being hosted at Raleigh Studios in the heart of Hollywood. IFFF strives to deliver stories and films that are engaging and appropriate for all members of the family with themes that help define and challenge the definition of family. For more information, please visit www.iffilmfest.org