Vanessa McMahon

20th Anniversary a Jubilant Celebration!

Hollywood, CA – It was a fitting commemoration of the Platinum Edition of the International Family Film Festival this past weekend at Raleigh Studios. With over 100 films from 17 countries screened - there was something for the whole family. The complete list of festival finalists and winners is available at www.iffilmfest.org. All films and screenplays shared a common thread - the enriching role that family plays in the stories of our lives.

Actress GiGi Rice served as the evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies and expertly guided the evening. In addition to the jury awards, IFFF also presented some special awards: The IFFF SPIRIT AWARD went to the highly acclaimed film Under the Blood Red Sun directed by Tim Savage with Red Sun Productions; this year’s IFFF DIRECTORS GOLD AWARD went to Santa’s Boot Camp with Ken Feinberg serving as director, writer and producer from Creative Studios of Atlanta; and The Sparrows Nesting from directors Nancy Criss and Josh Hodgins of Nandar Entertainment/Weathervane productions received the IFFF PEARL AWARD.

The newly created IFFF HUMANITARIAN AWARD was presented to director Eric Kabera for his inspirational film Intore. And finally, the 2015 FRIZ AWARD FOR ANIMATION was bestowed upon Floyd Norman, who has added to our cherished childhood memories with his amazing voice work. Presenting the award was Don Hahn, who was a Friz Award recipient in 2003.

Audiences also got the opportunity to vote for their favorite film. The winner of the TOP APPLAUSE AWARD went to Turtle Tale, directed by Luc Campeau.

The following are the 2015 IFFF Jury Prize Winners:

2015 FEATURE FILM WINNERS

BEST FEATURE DRAMA The Cokeville Miracle Director, Producer, Writer, DP: T.C. Christensen Remember Films

BEST FEATURE FOREIGN DRAMA Next Station Is Love (Hong Kong) Director: Terry Lee The Media Evangelism Limited

BEST FEATURE COMEDY Hybrids Director: Tony Randel HAS III Entertainment

BEST FEATURE FOREIGN COMEDY Wayang Boy (Singapore) Director: Raymond Tan Brainchild Pictures

BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY Gridiron Heroes Directors: Andy Lauer, Seth Camillo ReelAid.org

BEST FEATURE EDUCATIONAL The3Tails: A Mermaid Adventure Director/DP: Andres Garreton The2Tails

BEST CHILD ACTOR Kimball Stinger The Cokeville Miracle Remember Films

2015 IFFF Short Film Winners

BEST DRAMA – U.S. Play Date Director/Writer/Producer: Paige Morrow Kimball Makazan Films

BEST DRAMA - FOREIGN Lady Luck (UK)) Director/Writer/Producer: Jo Lewis Breakneck films

BEST COMEDY Bark Mitzvah Director: Ken Goldberg Kendall Goldberg Films

BEST ANIMATION – U.S. The Looking Planet Director: Eric Law Anderson Giant Dolphin Pictures

BEST ANIMATION - FOREIGN The Bedward Story (UK) Director, Writer, Animator: Lee Guilliland

BEST DOCUMENTARY – U.S. Krusing America Director/Writer/Producer: Linda Kruse

BEST DOCUMENTARY - FOREIGN Knit Me Some Happiness (UK) Director: Sofia Olins Tisk Media Productions

BEST EDUCATIONAL History’s Heroes Director/Writer/Producer: Kevin Robert McDermott The Rusty Bucket Kids.com

BEST MUSICAL My Dog Director/Editor: Norm Bosworth Cedar Breaks Music Empath Media LLC

2015 IFFF Student Film Winners

BEST DRAMA Helyn Springs Director/Writer: Noah Camenker Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

BEST COMEDY – U.S. Harmony Brooks Director/Writer: Whitney Clinkscales Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

BEST COMEDY - FOREIGN Believe You Director/Writer: Margarita Grant Met School of Film, UK

BEST ANIMATION Thundercluck Director/Writer/Animator: Paul A.Tillery IV Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA

BEST MUSICAL Parent-Teacher – The Musical Director: Austin Michael Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA

BEST EDUCATIONAL Hula is My Language Dir: Shailynn Shirley, Raymond Martino Inclusion Films

BEST MIXED MEDIA Imaginapped Dir: Stian Hafstad Columbia University, New York

2015 IFFF Screenplay Winners

Best Feature Length Screenplays:

DRAMA The Art of Silence By Mary Krell-Oishi

COMEDY Elmer’s Glue By David Boito

ANIMATION Hooked By Timothy Benson

SCI-FI/FANTASY The Summer I Shrank My Grandmother By Anita Brandt Burgoyne

Best Short Screenplays:

DRAMA Second Daughter By Dennis Cravens

COMEDY Nellie vs the Librarian By Scott & Paula Merrow

ANIMATION Pet Capers By Rob Malenfant

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About the International Family Film Festival -- The International Family Film Festival (IFFF) celebrates the belief that family stories are more powerful, insightful and entertaining than ever. It champions the spirit and talents of indie, studio and international inspired productions. Annually, IFFF recognizes outstanding achievement in Film & Screenwriting, offering Feature, Short, & Student categories.

IFFF is a 501 ©(3) founded in 1994 by Chris Shoemaker, Suzanne Shoemaker, and Patte Dee McKee, to exhibit and advocate for the production of family films. Originally established in the City of Santa Clarita, a north Los Angeles County suburb that is rich with film history and lore dating back to the silent picture era, the IFFF has spent 8 years being hosted at Raleigh Studios in the heart of Hollywood. IFFF strives to deliver stories and films that are engaging and appropriate for all members of the family with themes that help define and challenge the definition of family. For more information, please visit www.iffilmfest.org

-Official IFFF Press Release-