The Etruscan Smile, featuring acclaimed actor Brian Cox in the lead role, won the Grand Prize at the 23rd Annual Stony Brook Film Festival presented by Island Federal Credit Union. The sold-out U.S. Premiere screened at Stony Brook on Saturday, July 21 with Brian Cox, Thora Birch and Sandra Santiago attending and hosting a Q&A.
Brian Cox, an Emmy Award winning actor and a Golden Globe Nominee, is presently seen on HBO’s Succession. He is one of Scotland’s most celebrated actors in films and Shakespearean theatre. His credits include Braveheart, Troy, Match Point and Manhunter.
Alan Inkles, founder and director of the Stony Brook Film Festival, announced additional awards at a reception at Staller Center for the Arts, Stony Brook University on Saturday, July 28.
“We received so many enthusiastic responses from our astute audience members over the ten days of the Festival,” Inkles said. “The Etruscan Smile was hailed as a favorite. I was fortunate to have Brian Cox reach out to us just as we were finishing our schedule. He had been to the Stony Brook Film Festival for his film The Carer and was keen on having the U.S. Premiere of The Etruscan Smile at Stony Brook.”
The Stony Brook Film Festival has awarded eight Grand Prizes in its 23-year history. The Etruscan Smile is the ninth to receive a Grand Prize.
2018 STONY BROOK FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2018
Grand Prize
The Etruscan Smile
U.S. Premiere – United States – 107 min. Directed by Oded Binnun and Mihal Brezis. Written by Michael McGowan, Michal Lali Kagan and Sarah Bellwood. With Brian Cox (Braveheart, The Carer), Thora Birch (Ghost World), JJ Feild (Austenland), and Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction).
2018 Jury Award – Best Feature
(tie) Octav
U.S. Premiere – Romania – 100 min. Directed by Serge Ioan Celebidachi. Written by Serge Ioan Celebidachi and James Olivier. With Marcel Iures, Victor Rebengiuc, Eric Aradits and Alessia Tofan.
Symphony for Ana
East Coast Premiere – Argentina – 119 min. Directed by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina. Written by Ernesto Ardito, Virna Molina and Gaby Meik. With Isadora Ardito, Rocio Palacin, Rafael Federman, Ricky Arraga, Vera Fogwill and Rodrigo Noya.
2018 Audience Choice – Best Feature
The Guilty
Denmark – 85 min. Directed by Gustav Möller. Written by Emil Nygaard Albertsen and Gustav Möller. With Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage and Omar Shargawi.
2018 Spirit of Independent Filmmaking
Thrasher Road
East Coast Premiere – United States – 86 min. Written and Directed by Samantha Davidson Green. With Allison Brown and Christian Kohn.
2018 Jury Award – Best Short
Unnatural
East Coast Premiere – United States – 26 min. A film by Amy Wang.
2018 Audience Choice Award – Best Short
Internet Gangster. New York Premiere – United States – 6 min. A film by Sam Friedlander.
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