Awards were announced at the 16th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival’s Closing Night HBO Reception, held on the Main Stage at Staller Center on July 30. John Anderson, film critic, was the master of ceremonies. The screen rose directly after the East Coast Premiere of Almanya, a heart-warming comedy from Germany, and filmmakers and guests went on stage for the reception.
The director/writer, Yasemin Samdereli, and Nesrin Samdereli, co-writer, were present for the Closing Night screening, traveling from Germany to represent the film and participate in a Q&A that followed it. Almanya drew on stories of their grandfather who immigrated to Germany from Turkey and from their own experiences in this entertaining semi-autobiographical work. An outstanding ensemble of actors brought the charming story to life.
“This has truly been our most outstanding season,” said Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival. “The exceptional depth and diversity of the films we had the honor to screen this year were tremendously well received by the audience and by the industry. In addition to full houses and great responses to each film, there are more discussions than ever between filmmakers and distributors this year. Perhaps the best kept secret has gotten out.”
Audience Choice Award
Don’t Touch My Children, U.S. Premiere—Netherlands
Directed by Ron Termaat. Written by Marian Batavier and Nicolette Steggerda. With Karina Smulders and Cahit Olmez. Produced by Paul Ruven. From Talent United Film and Eye Film.
Jury Award Best Feature
Roadie, U.S.A.
Directed by Michael Cuesta. Written by Gerald Cuesta and Michael Cuesta. With Ron Eldard, Lois Smith, Jill Hennessy and Bobby Cannavale. Produced by Mike Downey and Sirad Balducci. From Hero Content.
Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking
Fort McCoy, NY Premiere—USA
Directed by Kate Connor and Michael Worth. Written by Kate Connor. With Eric Stoltz, Kate Connor, Lyndsy Fonseca, Andy Hirsch and Seymour Cassel. Produced by Eric Stoltz and Kate Connor. From Marzipan Entertainment.
Audience Choice: Best Short
Cataplexy, a film by John Salcido
Jury Award: Best Short
Time Freak, a film by Andrew Bowler
Official Selection: Closing Night
Almanya
Directed by Yasemin Samdereli. Written by Nesrin and Yasemin Samdereli. With Fahri Yardim, Demet Gül, Vedat Erincin, Lilay Huser and Aylin Tezel. Produced by Andreas Richter, Ursula Woerner and Annie Brunner (Roxy Film in Co-production with Infa Film). From Beta Cinema.
For more information, visit www.stonybrookfilmfestival.com
Photo on homepage: John Anderson, master of ceremonies at the 16th Annual Stony Brook Film Festival Closing Night Awards Reception; Sirad Balducci, co-producer, Roadie, Jury Award Best Feature; Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival; and Frank Hoeve, producer of Don’t Touch My Children.
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