The 8th annual Catalina Film Festival (CFF) wrapped with awards issued in 14 film categories – selected from 100 films in competition from 67 countries – screened at venues throughout the famed Catalina Island as well as new sister-city-by-the-sea, Long Beach. The annual film festival also featured career tributes, as well as industry panels, workshops and Lion’s Den pitch session as part of the festival’s Film & New Media Summit.
CAREER TRIBUTE AWARDS INCLUDED:
Actor Rob Riggle, Catalina Film Festival founder, Ron Truppa, Academy Award-winning actor, Richard Dreyfuss, and Ballers (HBO) actor, London Brown, attend the Catalina Film Festival and tour the iconic Avalon Theatre projection room. Dreyfuss and Riggle were both honored with career tribute awards at the 8th annual Catalina Film Festival. Photo by Earl Gibson III.
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti, attends the Catalina Film Festival red carpet on Catalina Island, to receive the festival’s coveted Avalon award. Ashanti turned heads on the red carpet wearing a stunning, sheer, silk chiffon gown with high-vent front slits by fashion designer Michael Costello.
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti, attends the Catalina Film Festival red carpet on Catalina Island, to receive the festival’s coveted Avalon award.
Stanley Kramer Social Artist Award: Academy Award-winning actor and civics activist, Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Mr. Holland’s Opus), for his work with The Dreyfuss Civics Initiative
Mack Sennett “King of Comedy” Award: Actor and comedian, Kevin Hart (Night School, Ride Along)
Humanitarian Award: Actors, filmmakers and activists, Rosie Perez (White Men Can’t Jump; Untamed Heart) and Ramon Rodriguez (The Affair; The Wire), for their work with the film “Pa’lante,” to help rebuild Puerto Rico
Avalon Award: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, actress and Broadway star, Ashanti (Coach Carter; Resident Evil: Extinction)
Catalina Spotlight Award: Feature film and television actor and comedian, Rob Riggle (Night School, The Hangover, Step Brothers – “The F*&%$#G Catalina Wine Mixer”)
Also in attendance were Justine Bateman (Satisfaction, Family Ties) with her short film, Five Minutes; London Brown (HBO’s Ballers, The Hustle); Rachel Hendrix (October Baby) with the feature film Virginia Minnesota; Kaitlyn Black (Hart of Dixie); Chris Mulkey (Whiplash) with the feature film, Make Love Great Again; Dana Sparks (Passions); Jim Meskimen (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) with his short film, Son to Son; and Rob Belushi with his short thriller, Dylan.
FESTIVAL AWARDS INCLUDED:
Best of Fest – U.S Feature – Bullitt County
Best of Fest – International Feature Film – Love Possibly
Best of Fest – Documentary Film (Worldwide) – Love Always, Mom
Best of Fest – Conservation Film – Shadow of a Drought: Southern California’s Looming Water Crisis
Best of Fest – Wes Craven Horror/Thriller – My First Time
Festival Treasure Award – Sam Did It
Best of Fest – Screenplay – The Hardest Hit
Best of Fest – International Short Film – Secret Sweets
Best of Fest – US Short Film – An Act of Terror
Best of Fest – High School Student Film – Love Letter
Best of Fest – Advanced Student Film (Worldwide) – Akeda (The Binding)
Best of Fest – Animation Short Film (Worldwide) – Two Balloons
2018 CFF Judges Pick – Make Love Great Again
For a full list of awards, visit www.catalinafilm.org. HIGH-RES PRESS IMAGES are available for use (*appropriate credit must be given*) here: http://bit.ly/CFFMEDIA2018.
Galleries can also be found at ASSOCIATED PRESS: http://bit.ly/CFF_AP and GETTY IMAGES: http://bit.ly/CFF_GETTY.
About Catalina Film Festival
Catalina Film Festival is an annual celebration of film in Southern California and on Hollywood’s island just 22 miles off the Los Angeles coast. Sponsors include IEX Helicopters, Catalina Candle, Catalina Express, Island Spa Catalina, Tony’s Limo, Catalina Flyer, BIG, Sprint and The Cafaro Group. Past CFF honorees include Nicolas Cage, William H. Macy, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Jon Favreau, Emmy Rossum, F. Gary Gray, Stan Lee and more. Follow @CatalinaFilm, #CatalinaFilm www.catalinafilm.org. For more info, visit www.CatalinaFilm.org.
SOURCE Catalina Film Festival
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