The 7th Annual Big Island Film Festival announced winners in twelve categories today, at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i. Chosen from 57 Official Selections from Hawai‘i and around the world, the bi-lingual comedy “French Immersion” took top honors for Best Feature, “Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy” received the Best Foreign Film award and “Beatrice” won Best Short.
Audience Choice short film “Hi Honey,” created by Big Island residents Kelly Winsa and Peter Henderson, will screen tonight at the “Best of the Fest” event, followed by Audience-Choice feature “Shouting Secrets,” directed by Korinna Sehringer.
“Shouting Secrets” stars Chaske Spencer as a bestselling Native American novelist who draws from his own family drama on the reservation. Costarring Q‘oriana Kilcher (“Princess Ka‘iulani”), “Shouting Secrets” resonated with the Hawai‘i audience at Sunday’s screening, and was acclaimed by Hollywood story consultant Jen Grisanti as “one of the best films I’ve seen in a long, long time.”
2012 Big Island Film Festival Awards:
Best Student Short: “Faceless”
Best Student Feature: “Anos Despues”
Best Hawaii Short: “Flat”
Best Family Short: “Swoosh!”
Best Animated Short: “Cadaver”
Best Foreign Short: “Scenen”
Barbara Award: “Mr. Babbo”
Best Foreign Feature: “Irvine Welsh’s Ecstasy”
Best Short: “Beatrice”
Best Feature: “French Immersion”
Audience Choice Short: “Hi, Honey”
Audience Choice Feature: “Shouting Secrets”
An annual celebration of narrative films and filmmaking, the Big Island Film Festival would like to thank its anchor sponsors: The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i, The Shops at Mauna Lani, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority/Hawai‘i County Department of Research and Development CPEP, Kenwood Vineyards, Redeeming Light International Inc. and many other generous sponsors and supporters.
Festival Director Leo Sears addressed the group around 10:00 and folks started in on their food.
Leo Sears addresses the audience
Anna Akaka, wife of Danny Akaka, Jr., lead off the opening pule and blessed the crowd and the filmmakers for making it a great festival this year.
The filmmakers enjoying brunch
Golden Honu Award recipient Kristina Anapau and her boyfriend Moran Cerf were in attendance.
Kristina Anapau and her boyfriend Moran Cerf
Mr. Sears began by thanking the Sponsors of the Festival such as the Fairmont Orchid, the Shops at Mauna Lani, the County of Hawaii and John Mason with the Hawaii County Film Office, “Redeeming Light International” as well as others were also thanked.
Kenwood Vineyards was recognized as a “big sponsor” since they have sponsored the festival for so many years.
Some Kenwood wines
Naketha Mattocks was recognized for her support and workshop that she put on called “The Inside Pitch” and Ron Osborn was recognized for his continual work with the festival.
Ron Osborn
Mayor Kenoi was on hand and signed a bottle of wine that all of the celebrities and filmmakers signed that would be auctioned off later for the Wounded Warriors project.
Mayor Kenoi signs a bottle of Kenwood Vineyards wine while BIFF Director Leo Sears looks on
Actress Sarah Wayne Callies who was the recipient of the “No Ka Oi” award earlier in the week was also present.
Mayor Kenoi, Film Commissioner John Mason and Actress Sarah Wayne Callies
An autographed picture of Kristina Anapau was auctioned off for charity as well and I just had to drop the big bucks to keep my son happy!
Hayden with an autographed photo of Kristina Anapau
I’d like to thank all those that worked so hard to put this on and especially thank Leo Sears for working so hard at ensuring such a smooth festival happens.
Mahalo Leo... Who needs drive-in movies when we have the Big Island Film Festival?
Media Release:
Twelve films received Golden Honu Awards at the 6thAnnual Big Island Film Festival today. Best Feature went to “Queen of the Lot,” starring Tanna Frederick and Noah Wyle, written and directed by Henry Jaglom, produced by Rosemary Marks.
Celebrity actresses Sarah Wayne Callies (“The Walking Dead”) and Hilo’s own Kristina Anapau (“Black Swan”) were present to receive special “No Ka Oi” awards from Big Island Film Festival Executive Director Leo Sears.
Leo Sears and Kristina Anapau (Photo Courtesy of Devany-Vickery Davidson)
Winners were selected from 63 entries from across the country and around the world, including 10 made in Hawai’i. The made-on-Maui film, “Get A Job,” starring Willie K, Eric Gilliom, Augie T, Henry Kapono and many other top Hawaiian entertainers, won 2011 Audience Choice Feature.
Get a Job!
2011 Big Island Film Festival Golden Honu Awards:
Actress “No Ka Oi” - Sarah Wayne Callies
Leo Sears presents Sarah Wayne Callies the "No Ka Oi" Award (Photo Courtesy of Devany Vickery-Davidson)
Actress “No Ka Oi” – Kristina Anapau
Kristina Anapau
The Barbara Award – “Regular Kids”
Best Family Short – “The Green Tie Affair”
Best Animated Short – “Bait”
Best Hawaiian Short – “Layover, On the Shore”
Best Foreign Short – “Futility”
Best Student Short – “Thief”
Best Short – “Wounded”
The Producer of "Wounded" receives his award
Best Family Feature – “Trainmaster II: Jeremiah’s Treasure”
“Best Student Feature” – “Farmer’s Tan”
Best Hawaiian Feature – “Get A Job”
Best Foreign Feature – “The Drummond Will”
Best Feature – “Queen of the Lot”
Audience Choice Short – “The Historian Paradox”
The Historian Paradox wins an award
Audience Choice Feature – “Get A Job”
Some of the winners that were present to receive their awards:
