Opening Night at Laughlin International Film Festival

by Toy Taylor

There was a great crowd at Stadium 9 Cinemas in Laughlin NV at this year's Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF). 










The 4-day event brings over 100 

films, short films, and documentaries 

to the big screen.  

Chronic Behavior will be hosting on the red carpet in addition to conducting 

"Interviewing 101" 

workshop for the youth filmmakers and any one who needs a refresher on the subject.
                                        

Many of the filmmakers stepped out on the red carpet on opening night. But the two that stood out the most was Writer/Director Ari Gold and brother Composer Ethan Gold. Their film opened the festival with a bang.

"The Song of Sway Lake"

Directed by Ari Gold

Music by Ethan Gold

Myself, Ari Gold (c) Ethan Gold (r)

Red carpet interview with Eva Louis

This film hits you with so many "life-truths"

• loss of a child
• loss of a parent
• loss of a spouse
• suicide
• abandonment

Which may sound quite dark, but we're here to tell you it is not. We were first captivated by the scenery of the lake and the lake home. We weren't aware of the beauty that lies in upstate New York. It was simply mesmerizing. The story takes us back to the past by way of intoxicating our senses with "old" photographs, historical memories of wartime era, and a huge fave is the vast array of vinyl albums. Perfectly aligned in every scene. 




Ollie played by Rory Culkin was fabulous in conveying Ollie's love/hate emotional rollercoaster for the "old time" music. 

The tempo for the film was music of Cole Porter-types that make your insides smile from the innocence of the sound. 

A big kudos goes to Ethan Gold for the original score The Song of Sway Lake. Truly amazing! 

Synopsis:

"A young record collector, haunted by his father's suicide, brings a bombastic Russian drifter to his family's lake house, to help him steal a one-of-a-kind record from his own grandmother. But the vision of two women - one young, one old - distracts the young men from their mission. "The Song of Sway Lake" is the story of the melody that haunts those who idealize a lost America."

Stay up to date with The Song at Sway Lake here                  

Follow:   IG/FB - Sway Lake     

2016 Video Recap of the Lauglin International Film Festival

We're excited for the next month and half of activities as we get ready for the 2017 Laughlin International Film Festival hosted in Laughlin, Nevada.

We've got a quick video series with the co-founder of the film festival, Mara Karsen.  This interview series highlights the structure of the four day festival and gives you insight into what you have to look forward to for 2017. Let's take a look at the festival in review.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 4 - Cont'd

Part 5

Part 6

Stay tuned for more information as we bring you the latest events and interviews as the festival gets closer.  Visit www.laughlinfilmfestival.com to get details on the films and the schedule when they are announced.

The Film Festival That Just Keeps Giving - 2015 LIFF

Don't tell me it's already over, but the memories will last a lifetime and you'll want to come back next year, and the year after that, and forever.  

What are we talking about?  Why of course, it's the Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF).  The fourth annual event just concluded on Sunday, October 18th and this year brought together filmmakers from all over the world and introduced them into the family.  

Once you've attended one festival, the overwhelming feeling is that you will come back for more.  Erik Puhm and Mara Karsen (co-founders of LIFF) always find ways to put on one spectacular event.  For the attendees this year, it was like another 'family reunion' but even better than most because along with the fun with friends and getting reacquainted, attendees had the chance to see 100 films screened over four days, attend related film workshops, and finally attend all the parties and after-parties.  

Thursday night began with the *Opening Night Film* showing of "Crossing Streets", directed by Marc A. Hutchins.  The film tells the story of Marcus Williams, a city detective, who is unwillingly thrust into a partnership with Minister Samuel Gray to solve a gang-related shooting. As the mismatched duo begin their journey, they soon discover the incident is part of something bigger, and catching the killer means stopping an all-out gang war. Through the investigation, Marcus and Samuel both learn that saving lives means learning to work together in this buddy cop dramedy.

Following was the opening night mixer of the event at the host hotel, Tropicana Laughlin located on Casino Drive.  Since the beginning of LIFF, the Tropicana has been a huge supporter and this year was no different.  They opened up Trellis Bar for the filmmakers to enjoy their first night by moonlight with the convenience of hor d'oeuvres and libations.  In addition to giving the filmmakers a place to dream about films,  the Tropicana coordinated with LIFF to host the festival registration, workshops, breakfasts, lunches, and finally the Awards Show.  Tropicana Laughlin supports their local businesses and events and has developed a strong relationship with LIFF and everyone is looking forward already to 2016 LIFF.

Now, what everyone has been waiting for, here is the announcement of the winners for this year's LIFF Awards.  The list includes approximately 14 different film categories and additional film awards which brings the total to 36+ awards.  WOW!! That's what we said too. 

• Lifetime Achievement Award - Lee Meriwether, Sunny in the Dark

This is a special award this year and this is the first lifetime achievement award given out. LIFF could think of no one else so deserving of this award for this year and they were graced with her presence and poise as the distinguished guest and recipient for the awards show. In addition to Lee's award, the film Sunny in the Dark (where Lee was also part of the cast) was presented with two other awards so they have the special spotlight for this year.

• LIFF Grand Jury Prize - Sunny in the Dark, Directed by Courtney Ware

• LIFF 2015 Director Award - Positive, Directed by Paul Merryman
• 2015 LIFF Pick - Crossing Streets, Marc A. Hutchins
• Best US Narrative Feature Film - The Life and Death of an Unhappily Married Man, Directed by Josh Hope
• Best US Documentary Feature Film - 20 Years of Madness, Directed by Jeremy Royce
• Best US Short Film - Jacob Stone, Directed by Roya Aryanpad

• Best International Narrative Feature Film - Kushuthara, Pattern of Love, Directed by KARMA DEKI
• Best International Documentary Feature Film - The Hands That Hold The World, Directed by Troup Wood
• Best International Short Film - The Gift, Directed by Lisa Belcher
• Tropicana Award - Best University Film - Nirvana, Directed by Maor Winetrob
• Best University Film (LIFF) - Wildflower, Directed by Nicolas Scroggins
• Best Drama Film - STOP, Directed by Gabriel De Santi
• Fest Comedy Film - Natural Insemination, Directed by Crosby Selander
• Best Short Documentary - A Certain Kind of Light, Directed by Brandon Vedder
• Best Thriller - Awaiting, Directed by Mark Murphy
• Best Horror Film - Adaline, Directed by Bidisha Chowdhury
• Best Noir Short Film - The Detectives of Noir Town, Directed by Andrew Chambers
• Best Noir Feature Film - The Beautiful Ones, Directed by Jesse Johnson

• Best Spoof Film - Directors on Directing, Damien Patrik
• Best Lead Actor - Ross McCall, The Beautiful Ones
• Best Lead Actress - Hannah Ward, Sunny in the Dark
• Best Ensemble Cast - Non-Stop to Comic-Con, Directed by Randy Van Dyke
• Best Storytelling - The Boy with a Camera for a Face, Directed by Spencer Brown
• Best Cinematic Achievement - Kandiyohi, Directed by Nicholas A. Engen
• Outstanding Production Value - Battalion, Directed by Dmitriy Meskhiev
• Best Music Video - Lessons in Life, Directed by Michael Nicklin
• Best Experiemental Work - Glimpse, Arnon Shorr
• Best Animation - Fallen Angel, Directed by Robbie Robertson
• Best Soundtrack - Best Man in the Dark, Directed by Alfred Padilla
• Best Web-Series - The Source, Directed by Vincenzo Carubia
• Best Local Film - Hitman, Elona Lorraine
• Honorable Mention - Benjamin Troubles, Directed by Kai Ephron

• Special Recognition - The Third Love, Directed by Michael Tanji
• Filmmaking for Humanity Award - Picking up the Pieces, Directed by Joshua Tebeau
• LIFF "Big Dreams" Award in memory of Dave Davidson - Brian Brown

• Harry "Bud" Holland Award - Ron Hanson
• MMBF "Rising Star" Award - LaJuan Johnson

*************************
The winners for these categories are posted following the conclusion of the festival showings.  This will be updated once announcements are made.
Audience Choice Award - Feature Film
Audience Choice Award - Short Film

"Stay tuned for more updates and information and if you have films, shorts, music videos, or any other film productions, YOU MUST SUBMIT to this festival because you have no idea what you are missing until you attend and participate.  This is going to be on our calendar for as long as this festival will exist.  Hopefully that will be forever!!!" - And this is exactly what we said last year and we still feel the same.


To find out what you missed and to get involved with the awesome Laughlin International Film Festival for next year 2016 (October 13 - 16, 2016 - yes we know the dates already), go to their sponsor page www.laughlinfilmfestival.com or send a direct email to info@laughlinfilmfestival.com, submissions@laughlinfilmfestival.com, finance@laughlinfilmfestival.com .

Coverage by Eva Louis

Film Festivals That Do It Right!!!

We just finished covering Phoenix Fashion Week and now the time for film has begun.  The following includes coverage of one of the international festivals residing in the western US.

The Laughlin International Film Festival 2013 in its second year definitely out did itself based on how good I heard it was last year.  The Festival system that was created by Dave Davidson, Mara Karsen, and Eric Karsen Puhm is focused on the presentation and recognition of filmmakers from around the world.  They drew over 160+ entries to the festival that came from all over the United States and the world including countries Ireland, Brazil, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, Bolivia, Mexico, India, Austria, New Zealand, Belarus, Scotland, and Antarctica.

L to R - Erik Karsen Puhm, Mara Karsen, Dave Davidson

The atmosphere of the host city of Laughlin, NV was the most welcoming to the out of town visitors for the festival.  The Tropicana Express (main Host location), Riverside Casino, the Acquarius and the Laughlin Outlets Mall – Stadium 9 Cinemas (viewing home of the films that made it into the festival) were the perfect locations coordinated together to celebrate filmmaking at its best.  The red carpet was presented by Joseph James Artography (of Tempe, AZ) one of the sponsors of the festivals which brought the glitz and glamour to the event every night.  Friday night included a Halloween Party after the movies and an evening of bowling.  This was just one example of the activities and parties that were provided to help provide an inviting environment to all who participated in the festival for introduction, networking, and fun.

The festival had four days of films that represented the following thirteen (13) categories:  US Narrative Feature Films, US Documentary Feature Films, US Short Films, International Narrative Feature Films, International Documentary Feature Films, International Short Films, University Film Competition, Experimental Cinema, Music Videos, Extreme Sports, Animation, Youth Film, and Liff Picks Showcase.   The outstanding revelation about the categories is the Youth Film division.  Laughlin International Film Festival is enabling future growth of the filmmakers by including this category which encourages youth and students to participate and be part of a process where often times young filmmakers don’t always get their time to shine and be recognized.

The festival wouldn’t be complete without the awards ceremony.  The preceding banquet and the emcees for the evening were the icing on the cake.  The following is the entire listing of the award winners from the festival:

Official LIFF 2013 Awards

1. LIFF 2013 Grand Jury Prize - Antarctica: A Year on Ice (92min.) - Closing Night Film - Directed by Anthony Powell  - Antarctica, New Zealand
2. LIFF 2013 Director Award - Director Cole Mueller - ‘Magic Hour’ (95min.)
3. 2013 U.S. LIFF PICK - Red Wing (108min.) - Opening Night Film - Directed by Will Wallace - Produced by Integrity Productions
4. 2013 International LIFF PICK - Pandemonia (81min.) - Directed by Daniel Moreno – Brazil
5. Best U.S. Narrative Feature Film - California Winter (86min.) - Directed by Odin Ozdil –
6. Best U.S. Documentary Feature Film - Prison Through Tomorrow's Eyes (57min.) - Directed by Paul Sutton
7. Best U.S. Narrative Short Film – Idiot - Directed by Aaron Harvey
8. Best International Narrative Feature Film - Choosing Signs (87min.) - Directed by Owen Dara – Ireland
9. Best International Feature Documentary - Ladder in the Lions’ Den (39min.) - Directed by Bernhard Rammerstorfer & A. Ferenc Gutai – Austria
10. Best International Narrative Short Film - Der Räuber - Directed by Felix Schaffert – Switzerland
11. Best University Film - Tropicana PICK – Homemade - Directed by Lior Sagi
12. Best University Film – LIFF PICK - La Familia de Sofia - Directed by Alexandra Parral
13. LIFF Best Drama - Blood Brothers - Directed by Jason Miller & Seth Savo
14. LIFF Best Comedy - Blackhearts (90min.) - Directed by Malani Coomes
15. LIFF Best Thriller / Horror - The Appearing  (90min.) - Directed by Daric Gates
16. LIFF Best Lead Actor Performance - Robert Nolan - “Mourning has broken”
17. LIFF Best Lead Actress Performance - Jessica Lancaster - “Choosing Signs”
18. LIFF Storytelling Achievement Award - DAM 999 (108min.) - Directed by Roy Sohan – India
19. LIFF Cinematic Achievement Award - For the Love of Nothing - Directed by Alissa Davis
20. LIFF Outstanding Production Value Award - Paris After The War - Directed by Mark Lessley & Luis Navarro
21. Best Youth Film - The Painted Girl - Directed by Ben Kadie
22. Best Music Video - AZHIA 'Lonely’ - Directed by Alethea Rooth
23. Best Animation Film – Ed - Directed by Gabriel Garcia – Brazil
24. Best Experimental Film - Rubicon or Let's talk about Hell (103min.) - Directed by Frank Gelmeroda - United Kingdom
25. Best Sound Track / Score - Choosing Signs (87min.) - Directed by Owen Dara – Ireland
26. Best Television Pilot - Wilmer the Immigrant Dog – Pilot - Directed by Wilman Vergara II
27. Best Local Film - Dream Date - Directed by Brian Brown
28. Special LIFF Bud Holland Award (Youth)- The Painted Girl - Directed by Ben Kadie

If you think that was the end of the festival, you would be mistaken.  The morning after the awards ceremony, found filmmakers still excited to be part of the festival and joined together for the final morning breakfast and the filmmaker/director panel.  They discussed social media, distribution, representation, organization, and funding.  The closing finale of the morning gathering included a raffle of $100 Sony gift cards to three lucky winners.  Not sure you could really ask for a better ending.

The organizers were meticulous along with the support of the Tropicana Express to create an amazing experience for the attendees.  There is something to be said about an organization that takes the time to understand the needs and wants of their audience.  This is one thing that the Laughlin International Film Festival really knows.  They have an awesome approach and philosophy that runs through the entire organization and in turn is demonstrated throughout the event they have developed and executed on.

 
To find out what you missed and to get involved with the awesome Laughlin International Film Festival for next year 2014, go to their sponsor page or send a direct email to finance@laughlinfilmfestival.com.