Awards mark successful end to FMB Film Fest
The 2015 Fort Myers Beach Film Festival took a figurative bow at Fish-Tale Marina Sunday, when nine awards were dished out at the closing ceremony.
The evening celebration praised the films, filmmakers, actors, directors and all others involved in the festival – a culmination of five days of activity that began with an opening night party on Tuesday and continued with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, viewed movies at Beach Theater, two filmmaking workshops, two movies on the beach and a Beach school filmmaking session and actor visitation.
With 78 independent films selected and shown, choosing winners from the extensive lineup proved difficult.
Festival Chairman Georgia Reinmuth and local NBC-2 news personality and filmmaker Natasha Verma (award-winning director of the documentary, “Hardy,” which was also screened at the festival) were on hand to present the awards to Rising Star, Star Achievement, Best Actor, Best Student Film, Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Local Film and People’s Choice Award. Winners received a commemorative glass trophy.
“Again, we’ve delivered you a picture perfect week. You’ve seen an amazing collection of films during the festival, films that made you laugh, films that unveiled injustice in the world, films that motivated you, and films that tugged at your heartstrings.” said Reinmuth.
Ryan Potter, the voice of “Hiro Hamada” in the Academy-Award winning Disney animated feature “Big Hero 6,” captured the Rising Star Award, recognizing young and innovative talent. Hollywood legend Christopher Atkins, best known for his role in the 1980 film “The Blue Lagoon” and the television series “Dallas,” seized the Star Achievement Award. The festival’s 2015 People’s Choice Award was presented to “Waiting in the Wings: The Musical,” which Atkins appeared in.
Jeffrey Johns, the lead actor and writer of “Waiting in the Wings: The Musical,” captured the Best Actor award. The film “The Unearthing,” directed by 17-year-old Tristan Jensen, received the award for Best Student Film. The award for Best Feature Film was given to “Writers Cramp,” written and directed by Darva Campbell.
“Falling to Pieces,” written and directed by Chris and Vivian Connolly was chosen Best Short Film. The honor for Best Documentary was awarded to the festival’s opening film, “Heroes Behind the Badge: Sacrifice and Survival,” written and directed by Wayne Derrick. Best Local Film went to “Sisters,” directed by Mark Stolzenberg and produced by Mark Schulman and Judy Copeland.
At the ribbon cutting’s official start of the FMB Film Festival, Beach Mayor Anita Cereceda was proud to be part of the ceremony. She honored all the local heroes -first responders such as police, fire, rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard- to support the ninth annual FMB Film Festival’s “Super Heroes” theme. Organizers are expected to make an indirect proceeds donation to The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and a direct one to the Beach Fire Department.
“This is the best small town in Florida,” Cereceda said.
Reinmuth introduced her film board, including artistic director Elizabeth D’Onofrio, executive director Janeen Paulauskis and volunteer director Mary Goodnetter. More than 60 volunteers helped in the festival, which is run under the umbrella of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Friends of the Arts. Other major sponsors include Beach Theater, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel and the Town of Fort Myers Beach.
-FMB Film Fest Publicist Jacqueline Wilson of Paradise Marketing & Design contributed to this report.
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FMB Film Fest Filmmaking Awards
– Best Local Film “Sisters” (directed by Mark Stolzenberg and produced by Mark Schulman and Judy Copeland)
– Best Student Film “The Unearthing” (17-year-old Tristan Jensen)
– Best Short Film “Falling to Pieces” (Chris and Vivian Connolly)
– Best Documentary “Heroes Behind the Badge: Sacrifice and Survival” (Wayne Derrick)
– Best Feature Film “Writers Cramp” (Darva Campbell)
– Best Actor Jeffrey Johns (“Waiting in the Wings: The Musical”)
– Rising Star Ryan Potter (“Big Hero 6”)
– Star Achievement – Christopher Atkins (“Waiting in the Wings: The Musical”)
– People’s Choice – “Waiting in the Wings: The Musical”