Back from LA and Pasadena where “Kerberos” had its official World Premiere at the Action On Film International Film Festival.
“Kerberos” was nominated for 5 awards – including “Best Picture,” and “Action Film of The Year,” and ended the fest by winning “Best Director.”
The AOF was awesome this year! Del Weston has seemingly done everything right with this festival over the last 6 years and it keeps growing exponentially. Like many of the films there, shorts, features, documentaries, animations, and even music videos, “Kerberos” played to a full theater of filmmakers and film fans. Big parties every night, lots of free drinks and food, tons of software and giveaways, literally hundreds of filmmakers, 2 amazing awards shows, and lots of good films.
“Kerberos” had people come from as far as Atlanta, another contingent supporting “Kerberos” from Santa Cruz, and a half dozen who came specifically to see the film after hearing about it on some of the film forums I follow and write on. Having the Saturday night 7:30 screening and the 5 award nominations meant a lot of people were there to check out what the buzz was about, and of course I had my friends and co-stars Stan Harrington and Robert Pralgo there, supporting “Kerberos” and their own films playing during the festival. Stan’s film “Small Days” became one of the highlights of the festival, further validated by winning the coveted awards for “Best Actor,” and “Best Screenplay.” Rob’s ultra indie cinéma vérité style horror film won the Xristos Award for “Best Guerrilla Feature” for his cast and the film’s director Adam Minarovitch.
Like any festival, there are lots of good films to see. Impossible to see them all with 4 screens going at all times, but a couple of personal highlights were Stan’s other feature “Creed,” still in post but wowing the audience with a clever story and great acting, Akiko Izumitani’s powerful documentary on Japanese war crimes, “Silent Shame,” and the short film “Supertramp,” by director Phillipe Lenone. Stan’s movie “Small Days” was in class by itself and becomes some of the inspiration to aspire to on my next film.
Lots of new friends – based on mutual respect and common goals – people like Matt Sconce – director of one of the fest’s most talked about films “Stricken,” award winning writer Steven Karageanes, the badass Timothy McNeil – awesome playwright/actor; and got to spend time and share some laughs with the Mediasaurs gang, film reviewer Peter Demon, Spinal Villain, and Trapani, and the talented, beautiful, and very funny Amanda Dreschler.
As much as anything, hats off to Del Weston and Josh Neufeld for putting on a world class film festival. I encourage anyone making films of any level to enter and join the filmmaking family these guys deliver.
So much more coming from me and all these filmmakers!
“Talking People and Doing People – I hope to DO – Film is Forever”
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August 3rd, 2010 at 8:41 pm
Kely,
So glad YOU won, I think any of the nominations could have resulted in wins but am proud of your victory especially knowing how hard you work and have worked on the project.
So Congratulations! And I can’t wait to hear more about the journey from here.
Martin
“Battle” trailer now available on iTunes:http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/battle/
August 4th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Congratulations, Kely for your Best Director Award winning!! Can’t wait to see the film myself. We’re waiting for your next project. Once again, congratulations!