Stars, Islanders shine at closing night party

The festival ended with closing night awards at Stan's Idle Hour in Goodland on Nov. 9, with most of the plaudits actually coming from those being honored.

Director Cristabul Krusen, who won the John Esvang Humanitarian Award for his film Final Solution, told the crowd of more than 300 that the city had put on a beautiful festival. "Many thanks to all in helping us independent filmmakers and encouraging us to keep going. It is very important," he said.

Director Colin McGreal, who was honored for his short film, Apsara, was attending his 10th festival "on the circuit," he said. "Marco Island is definitely one of my favorites. To me, as a filmmaker, I love showing to audiences; but this festival is very good at putting together situations where filmmakers meet and can bond. Marco does a great job including so many talented people and entertaining them. We all come away with a lot more than just showing a film."

Vickie Kelber, film festival artistic director, said this is the year the film festival really came together. "We reviewed and presented outstanding films, and got great participation from the filmmakers and the community."

Kelber spoke of the importance of the festival gaining community acceptance.

"It has always been important that the festival create a sense of community," she said. "At this year's festival we saw the businesses and the residents come together."

Pat Berry, film festival director, agreed, adding that the filmmakers also responded.

"Many might think that because celebrities come to a festival they just hang around and have a good time," she said. "But if you truly participate, it is not all glamour. We were blessed this year to have Patricia Neal and Mary McDonnell come to the festival. They did interviews with the press, they went to the parties, they have been phenomenal. I think they set the bar for future celebs."

Neal won a Lifetime Achievement Award and McDonnell the Crystal Palm Award for her work in film and with educationally challenged children. McDonnell took part in The Young Filmmakers Program, cosponsored by the festival and the Collier County Schools, which gave more than 400 students the opportunity to make their own videos.

Both stars were at the closing night ceremonies.

"The festival was fabulous," Neal said. "I enjoyed taking part in what I consider the most beautiful festival I've ever been to; it was a really great experience. All the people here are so great. The films were good and you got to make some good friends."

Neal and McDonnell actually discussed putting together a "project" in the future.

"I loved the festival," McDonnell said. "The location is exquisite and the quality of the films outstanding. The environment was so relaxed, it was more conducive for filmmakers to contact each other and discuss films. It was a wonderful opportunity, and I'm sure reinspired creativity in the art."

She also talked about her visit to local schools.

"Pat (Berry) has got a really good thing going with bringing filmmakers to the schools. It was very special for us to go into the community and see the bright, talented and interested students. One day they may be standing on the stage to receive an award."

Some future stars already might have gotten their start at this festival.

Nevil Dwek received an award for his first feature, Undermind; McGreal was cited for Apsara; and the Rising Star Award went to sisters Sara and Emma Bolger for their shining roles in In America.

Audiences also decided award winners. After each movie, they filled out ballots rating the films they saw.

The audiences' favorite feature drama was Saints and Soldiers, directed by Ryan Little. Favorite comedy film went to Jesus, Mary and Joey, directed by James Quattrochi. Best family film was the opening night film, Uncle Nino, directed and written by Robert Shallcross.

The favorite documentary went to Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There, directed and written by Rick McKay. The film also won a Judges Award as best documentary.

The audiences chose Stealing Innocence, directed by Nancy Stein, as their favorite short film. The favorite short comedy was Powder, directed by Stuart Acher.

There also were several other judges awards, decided by a film festival panel.

Stealing Innocence won a second award when judges determined it the best narrative short. In America won again for best narrative feature, and judges also honored James Sheridan as best director. He and Naomi Sheridan wrote the screenplay.

Best performance by an actor went to John Cassini in Break A Leg. The top screenwriter award went to Evan Oppenheimer for Justice. Voted as most original was Robot Stories, directed and written by Greg Pak. Longtime actor Pierrino Mascarino also was saluted for his role as Uncle Nino.

Three student film awards went to Michael Strode of the University of Southern California for Black Gulch; Scott Rice, University of Texas, for The Adventures of Mad Matt; and Juliana Brafa of Bucknell University and Todd Bieder of Bloosmburg University for One Number 2.

Judges Awards announced earlier were the Pelican Award, going to Broadway: The Golden Age; The Dale Melbourne Herkolz Award for Music to director Mark Moorman for Tom Dowd and the Language of Music; and the Esvang Award to Krusen.

An "After Fest" is planned for Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16, at Marco Movies. Film festival favorites including Broadway: The Golden Age, The Prayers of a Warlord, Uncle Nino, Saints and Soldiers, and 100 Mile Rule will be shown. It will be a thank you to volunteers whose vouchers will be accepted, and for the public. Call 642-3378 for more details.

Nick Campo, film festival president, praised volunteers for their efforts.

Actor Pierrino Mascarino, who played Uncle Nino in the movie of the same name, said, "Volunteers are the heart and soul of this festival. I am so touched by the hospitality shown all of us. When you walk the streets of Marco, you feel love. When I leave Marco (Nov. 10), there will be many tears of thank you."