2006  LDS Film Festival a Huge Success

With over 3800 people in attendance, the LDS  Film Festival was again a huge success. The new home of the festival at the SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem marked a new milestone in the festival’s history.

With the screening of ten feature films and over 100 short films (including 53 shorts made in only 24 hours), the festival offered a diverse program of films.

The festival has become a bustling networking playground and a great place for filmmakers to showcase their films to a packed audience. Altogether, over 3800 people attended the festival, up from 2400 last year.

We look forward to an exciting 6th LDS Film Festival in 2007!

Short Film and 24-Hour Marathon Winners Announced
 
The winners of the Short Film Competition and 24-hour Filmmaking Marathon are now posted on the festival’s website.

Here is a complete listing of all winners, awards, and honorable mentions:

5TH LDS FILM FESTIVAL 2006
JANUARY 18-21, 2006 | SCERA CENTER, OREM

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

The winners of the SCREENPLAY COMPETITION will be posted in March 2006.

SHORT FILM COMPETITION:

1ST PLACE AND $1,000.00:

RECONCILING RUBY
Filmmaker: Christopher Cutri

2ND PLACE AND $300.00:

TUGBOAT’S REQUIEM
Filmmaker: Anthony R. Petersen

3RD PLACE AND $100.00:

JANE MANNING JAMES – YOUR SISTER IN THE GOSPEL
Filmmakers: Scott M. Freebairn, Margaret B. Young

BEST USE OF SOUND/MUSIC:

An additional $100.00 award for Best Use of Sound/Music has been donated by www.indiefilmaudio.com.

HERO TO ME
Filmmaker: Scott Halford
Composer: Robert Allen Elliott

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS:

RECONCILING RUBY
Filmmaker: Christopher Cutri

A TOY PRINCESS
Filmmaker: Anthony R. Petersen

BLOOD-O-WEEN
Filmmakers: Nathan Fackrell, Matt Mangus, Josh Eucrett

JANE MANNING JAMES – YOUR SISTER IN THE GOSPEL
Filmmakers: Scott M. Freebairn, Margaret B. Young

THE HANDYMAN
Filmmaker: Janine Sides, Kathryn Wallace

HONORABLE MENTION:

A MODEST REVOLUTION
Filmmaker: Dennis Martin

TOLERANCE
Filmmaker: Mark Finch Hedengren

HALLMARKS OF FINE ART
Filmmaker: John Starrs

MIKE’S WORLD
Filmmaker: Robert Ray Bennett

IGNOBLE
Filmmaker: Murray Triplett

THIRST
Filmmaker: Joseph Hunt

(UNTITLED)
Filmmaker: Ryan Cannon


SCREENPLAY COMPETITION:

FINALISTS:

FAMILIAR SPIRITS
Screenwriter: Perry Shumway

POLYGAMISTS IN LOVE
Screenwriter: Stephen Carter

LAUREL CROWNED
Screenwriter: Laura Roper

HEARTS OF THE FATHERS
Screenwriter: Chris R. Laurence

CHOOSING CHASTITY
Screenwriter: Chris R. Laurence

COMING OF AGE
Screenwriter: Lonnie Bradley

STANDING STILL STANDING
Screenwriter: Melissa Leilani Larson

ACADEMIC MALFEASANCE
Screenwriter: Eric C. Player

THE ROSWELL CONSPIRACY
Screenwriter: John Darin

CHANCE AT LIFE
Screenwriter: Krystal Owen

THE HOMECOMING
Screenwriter: Aaron Orullian

THE MIDDLE MAN
Screenwriter: Spanky Ward

Documentaries dominated the Short Film Competition of the 2006 LDS Film Festival. For the first time, the 1st Place Award for Best Short Film went to a documentary, with three other documentaries winning awards and gaining recognition.

2007: More Screens, More Films, More of Everything
 
Altogether, the transition of the LDS Film Festival from the Provo Library to the SCERA Center for the Arts was successful. Using a new space for the first time can be overwhelming, but besides a few “bugs” the festival ran very smoothly. Now that we know our new environment, we’re ready to use the given space even more efficiently.

The short film programs will move upstairs to the big screen in Showhouse 2. We will have both theaters available next year, which will make the programming of feature films and short films a lot easier.

The festival will probably run for 5 days from Wednesday through Monday next year. This will give us time to prepare for a big award ceremony Monday night. Wednesday night will be reserved for an Opening Gala to celebrate and honor LDS films and filmmakers.

We will continue to offer workshops for screenwriters and filmmakers. These workshops will provide opportunities to learn the tricks of the trade from experienced industry professionals.

We will also be able to offer more assistance to attending filmmakers, including free or reduced accommodations, free festival passes, and a filmmaker’s lounge in the lobby of the SCERA. If possible, we also hope to work out special discounts for airfares.

Here’s the entry schedule for the 6th LDS Film Festival 2007:

September 1, 2006: Call for Entries
October 15, 2006: Early Entry Deadline
November 15, 2006: Regular Entry Deadline
December 1, 2006: Late Entry Deadline
December 22-31, 2006: Notification of Finalists

More details will be posted on the website. If you want to share ideas for
next year’s festival or offer feedback, feel free to contact us at
fe******@ld*************.org.