HBO Recognizes the “Best of the Best” at Run & Shoot Filmworks Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival
Top indie filmmakers awarded cash prizes during HBO film competition; stage and screen vet Ben Vereen and actress Karyn Parsons show support at fourth annual celebration.
New York, NY (PRWEB) August 28, 2006
Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., producer of the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF), announced the winners of the HBO-sponsored film competition which took place Saturday, August 12, 2006. Out of nearly 200 submissions received from around the world, 40 films were chosen for the festival and 13 films in three categories—short, feature, documentary—were selected for the competition. Other highlights of the MVAAFF included the screening of Idlewild (Universal Pictures and HBO Films) to a sold-out crowd, a special viewing of actress Karyn Parson’s animated film The Journey of Henry Box Brown and the two-day actor’s workshop led by celebrity acting coach Tracey Moore-Marable.
“We are extremely proud of everyone who participated in this magnificent event. All of our sponsors, repeat attendees, guest speakers and filmmakers helped to make this one of the best film festivals of the year,” said MVAAFF co-founders Floyd A. B. Rance III and Stephanie Tavares-Rance. “The quality and number of films we receive each year is confirmation that our festival is not only vital, but it also plays a key role in getting mainstream Hollywood to recognize the untapped talent within the African-American film community.”
The 2006 winners of the HBO Film Competition are:
Best Short:
Results, written and directed by Eddie Boles (Los Angeles, CA)
How well do you know the one you love? Is love enough to overcome the ultimate betrayal? Chris and Cassy grapple with these questions, all in the course of one night.
Best Documentary:
The Hip Hop Project, directed by Matt Ruskin and Scott Rosenberg (New York, NY)
A dynamic and inspirational story of a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery.
Best Feature:
The Situation, produced and directed by Johnathan Tucker (New York, NY)
What happens when Curtis’ lover of two years wants to end their relationship, but he doesn’t want to? The tables are turned and the climactic ending leaves Curtis, a married man, asking how he got himself into this situation.
The 2006 MVAAFF Audience Favorite winners are:
Best Short:
Sticks & Stones, directed by Rehema Trimiew (North Plainfield, NJ)
Based on the filmmakers’ experience, this film addresses the psychological repercussions of racial and class disparity in the American public educational system.
Best Documentary:
The Hip Hop Project
Best Feature:
The Situation
This year’s sponsors included HBO, Essence (media sponsor), The Bay State Banner (media sponsor), Mansion House (host hotel), Kodak, WBLS (107.5), Edgartown National Bank, Stop & Shop, ARRI/CSC, Crescendo and Indietalk. com.
All media-related inquiries should be directed to Melissa Harris at (908) 412-1745 or studiompr@comcast. net.
About HBO
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 40 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.
About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www. universalstudios. com). Universal Studios is part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
About ESSENCE
With more than seven million readers, ESSENCE is the preeminent lifestyle magazine for African-American women. Published by Essence Communications Inc., it is the leading source of cutting-edge information relating to every area of African-American women’s lives. For over 35 years, ESSENCE has celebrated personal achievement, chronicled social movement, documented struggles, showcased beauty, defined and set trends and illustrated the incredible journey of a resilient and splendid race.
About Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc.
Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., is a New York-based film production company credited with creating outstanding visual work for several clients including HBO, Martell Cognac, Reebok, NBC Sports and Footlocker. For the past three years, Run & Shoot Filmworks has produced the MVAAFF with the primary goal of providing a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, ideas and aspirations. The film festival serves as a vehicle through which Run & Shoot Filmworks can support the efforts of emerging and established African-American screenwriters, as well as aid in their artistic development.
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