2011 Winners

Features

First place: Work It Out - Dustin seems to be living the happy life of a swinging NYC bachelor. By day, he works as a personal trainer, by night he hangs out with his boys from the gym, and every spare moment seems more than dedicated to staying in peek physical condition. After a gym member, Becky (the type of woman his wild friends wouldn't give a second look), Dustin begins facing some bitter realities of his life, both past and present. Combining comedy and drama, the film asks the question of whether you can really be honest with anyone unless you're honest with yourself... "Work It Out" at IMDB

Second place: Morning Funeral - Soon after being released from a psychiatric clinic, lost soul Scott Gray lands a job selling caskets in a small town. His first client is a family who have just lost their 18 year old son Charlie, a star local athlete and community figure. Still haunted by his past but immersed in his work, Scott begins to uncover the truths behind his pain. Morning Funeral is a poignant, often funny meditation on the effects of death on the living. "Morning Funeral" at Facebook

Third place: The Human War - On the eve of the Iraq War, teenager Mark Swift dreams of escape from the realities of his lower-class existence in economically-depressed Youngstown, Ohio, and the fear and bewilderment of a society at war. http://humanwarmovie.blogspot.com/

Documentary

First place: On Coal River - Coal River Valley is a community surrounded by lush mountains and a looming toxic threat. ON COAL RIVER follows a former coal miner and his neighbors in a David-and-Goliath struggle for the future of their valley, their children, and life as they know it. http://oncoalriver.com/

Second place: China : Rebirth of an Empire - "China's unprecedented growth has placed it on the verge of overtaking the United States as the world's preeminent power. But what type of power will China become? In today's interconnected and globalized world, the answer affects each and every one of us. In Pakistan and Afghanistan, China's humanitarian activities and investment in infrastructure have won it the hearts and minds of the people. Yet in Tibet and Xinjiang, China is reviled for its imperialistic abuse of human rights. Will China use its strength to dominate its neighbors and become a 21st century empire, or will China's youth lead the country towards democracy? Whether it's a peaceful rise or potential threat, China's 21st century emergence as a great world power will change the lives of everyone." http://www.chinarebirth.com/

Screenplay

First place: "Elsewhen” by Gary Bullock. A scientist and the love of his life are stranded in separate worlds when she steps into an alternate universe to escape certain death. Stalked by a fanatic who wants her secret ability, while his world is doomed, they must find a portal to reunite in ELSEWHEN - anyplace but here, anytime but now, because the Future just isn't what it used to be.

Second place: "My Autopsy" by Holly Reece. A story of the progression of a womans strength as she journeys to escape the invisible chains of a past abusive relationship. In an exploration of the darker side of love and obsession, and how an emotional autopsy is sometimes necessary to realize our own power.

Short

First place: The Goat - Chuck and Dawn are grad students and aspiring writers. They've been aspiring so long it's hard to remember why they started. As they struggle with a bad semester in a discouraging program, and the possible rewards shrink in proportion to the growing personal sacrifices, the question looms... why is being a writer even worth it? That's the gist of The Goat. (the period is part of the title), adapted by Jack Bennett from Atlanta-based writer Nick Tyler's short story of ennui and frustrated desire.

Micro-Film

First place:Another Day In (Retired) Paradise - Another Day in (Retired) Paradise is a whimsical, fantastic feast for the eyes and ears, combining animation and live action with a '60s Laugh-In feel to it. It is one man telling the world he retired and is doing okay with it.

Young Filmmaker

First place: The Lawyer - A lawyer named Michael visits his elderly mother who has Alzheimer's. She cannot remember him and responds negatively to him at first due to his profession, until she remembers who he is and agrees to go to breakfast with him. After their meeting, she forgets who he is and refuses to leave her room. Michael is left devastated after he had his hopes up. "The Lawyer" at IMDB

Past Winners

Click below to see:

• 2010 winners

• 2009 winners

• 2008 winners

• 2007 winners

• 2006 winners

• 2005 winners

• 2004 winners