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

4th Annual Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF) to Salute New Up-and-Coming Filmmakers

PRESS-RELEASE

4^th Annual Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF)

to Salute New Up-and-Coming Filmmakers

Laughlin NV, August 15, 2015 --- The organizers of the 2015 Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF), which is scheduled to be held October 15th – 18th in Laughlin, NV,  are excited to announce that once again as part of the 4 day event,  they will be focusing on,  recognizing and encouraging new up-and-coming filmmakers.   The film festival will once again be screening a diverse line-up of independent films (feature length and short films) at the state-of-the art Phoenix 9 Cinemas at the Laughlin Outlet Center beginning with an opening night film (to be announced) and Red Carpet on Thursday evening, and continuing all day Friday through Sunday.    

As in the past 3 years, the LIFF program will include a full day program designed for young filmmakers, this year known as: “Young Filmmaker Super Saturday”, on October 17^th.  The program will include a workshop at the Tropicana casino lead by local independent filmmaker Brian Brown along with LaJaun Johnson, an independent filmmaker from Moreno Valley, Ca. Both Brown and Johnson will share their personal stories about how they delved into the world of filmmaking and followed their dreams, after finding themselves at cross-roads in their lives.  They will provide a keen insight into how young people can become filmmakers – all they need is passion and a dream.  Following the morning workshop, the day will include a networking lunch with some additional talented independent filmmakers, and the program will conclude with an afternoon immersion into viewing specially selected short films and a feature film at the Phoenix 9 Cinemas.  

“Having a young filmmaker program as part of LIFF each year is very near and dear to my heart”, said Dagmar “Mara” Karsen, co-founder and Executive Director of LIFF.  “If we can encourage even one young person to try their hand at filmmaking, we have succeeded.  To see the excitement and passion of filmmaking come alive in a young person makes our work at LIFF a total success”. 

In addition to the Youth workshop, the glitzy LIFF Awards Ceremony, to be held for the 4^th year in the Tropicana Pavilion Theater on Saturday evening, October 17^th, will include a series of special awards to be presented to new up-and-coming filmmakers. 

The Harry “Bud” Holland award,  in memory of local Bullhead City resident Bud Holland,  who was a 2-time Emmy winning cameraman during his lifetime and who was instrumental in creating the television / media program at Mohave Accelerated Learning Center (MALC),  will be presented for a 3^rd time.  This award is presented to honor a young or new filmmaker who exemplifies Bud’s passion for filmmaking, and who thereby strives to create something original and compelling.  Last year's winner of the Bud Holland award was local filmmaker,  Andrea Zindel Smith, for her short documentary “Victims”.  

LIFF is also happy to again be able to honor one special University Filmmaker who will be chosen as the winner of the Tropicana’s Pick - University Film Award.  Selected staff of the Tropicana casino will, for a 3^rd year, be viewing all of the LIFF film submissions in the University film category, making their final choice and presenting the award.  In addition to the award, the Tropicana will be giving $250 in cash to the recipient.  The winner of last year’s Tropicana award was the international short film “Into the Silent Sea” (Sweden), which has gone on to much acclaim on the film festival circuit. 

New this year will the LIFF’s Cofounders’ “Big Dreams” award, in memory of Dave Davidson.  Davidson, one of the original co-founders of LIFF, unexpectedly passed away after LIFF 2014.  “He was always considered to be a man who had “big dreams” and made them come true” said Karsen.  “LIFF would most likely not be a reality today, if it wasn’t for his belief in the project”. The award will be given to a filmmaker who exhibits this same “never-say-die” attitude, according to Karsen.  “Dave would be so proud of this”, she said.  “He was always very big on helping to encourage people to live their dreams”.    

LIFF is also excited to announce that for LIFF 2015, they have partnered with the Matthew Martino Benevolent Fund (MMBF), an international charity based in the UK, to present the MMBF Rising Star Award.  MMBF supports filmmakers, actors and individuals studying or working in performing arts worldwide.  The organization provides training grants and scholarships, funding for first time filmmakers and provides sponsorship for film related events such as film festivals and film award ceremonies.  The MMBF Rising Star award will be given to an emerging filmmaker to encourage continued success. In addition to the Award, the recipient will receive $250 in cash from MMB.  For more information about MMB, visit their website at:  www.mmbf.co.uk  

For more information about LIFF 2015, visit their website at www.laughlinfilmfestival.com.  For a copy of the “Young Filmmaker Super Saturday” information flyer, contact the LIFF team by e-mail at info@laughlinfilmfestival.com, or call LIFF at (702) 755 - 8391.

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For more information, contact:

Dagmar "Mara" Karsen

Executive Director / Co-founder

Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF)

LIFF Phone:  (702) 755-8391

LIFF Fax:  (951) 824-7535   

e-mail: mara@laughlinfilmfestival.com

website:  www.laughlinfilmfestival.com

Coverage by Eva Louis                                                                                                       

Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF) To Present Lifetime Achievement Award to Lee Meriwether

PRESS-RELEASE

Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF)

To Present Lifetime Achievement Award to Lee Meriwether

Laughlin NV,  October 1, 2015 --- The organizers of the 2015 Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF), which is scheduled to be held October 15th – 18th in Laughlin, NV,  are very proud to announce that Lee Meriwether will be the recipient of the first LIFF Lifetime Achievement Award.

Meriwether, who began her acting career in the mid-1950s, has appeared in an impressive line-up of films and television series over the last 5 decades.  She is best remembered for her role as Catwoman in “Batman:  The Movie” (1966).  In 1973-1980 she was also a regular in the popular series   “Barnaby Jones” in which she played Betty Jones, the secretary and daughter-in-law of Barnaby Jones (played by the late Buddy Ebsen).   She is also remembered for her role as Lily Munster in the television series “The Munsters Today” (1988 - 1991), and her role as Ruth Martin in the popular soap opera “All My Children” (1996-2011).  She was nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress (Drama) and once for an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress (Drama).  In addition to her illustrious film career, Meriwether also held the titles of “Miss San Francisco” (1954), “Miss California” (1954) and “Miss America” (1955). 

“We are so honored and proud to be able to give this award to Lee Meriwether”, said Mara Karsen, LIFF co-founder and Executive Director.  “We have wanted to establish a LIFF Lifetime Achievement Award for the past 3 years, and now we are finally seeing it become a reality.  Having someone as impressive at Lee Meriwether to receive this first award is very exciting, and will be the highlight of our LIFF Awards Ceremony this year”.  The LIFF Awards Ceremony will be held at the Tropicana Pavilion Theater on Saturday, October 17^th, at 8:00 PM (preceded by social hour at 7:00 PM).  This gala event is open to the public and everyone is invited to join in the celebration.  Tickets can be purchased online ($20.00) at:  www.laughlinfilmfestival.com 

As a supporter of independent films,  Meriwether has recently lent her acting talents to the feature film  “Sunny in the Dark”,  directed by Courtney Ware of Texas,  which will be screening at the Laughlin Stadium 9 theaters as part of LIFF’s line-up of films.  “Sunny in the Dark” is an intriguing film about a  reclusive family therapist Jonah (played by Jay Huguley, “12 Years A Slave”) craving solitude, who moves into a new loft only to find that he is not the only person living in the same space.  A young homeless girl, Sunny (Hannah Ward) secretly lives in the crawlspace above him and watches his every move in order to survive.  In the film, Lee Meriwether plays the role of Jonah’s mother, Dorothy. 

“Sunny in the Dark” has recently won awards at the Northeast Film Festival in Teaneck, New Jersey for “Best Director” (Courtney Ware), “Best Actress” (Hannah Ward), Best Actor (Jay Huguley) and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for Lee Meriwether.  A Best Actress award was also awarded to Hannah War at the Hill Country Film Festival in Fredericksburg, Texas.  The film will be shown at the Laughlin International Film Festival on Friday, October 16th, at 5:30 PM, with Meriwether, the films’ director Courtney Ware, and the films’ producer Meredith Burke in attendance.  Tickets will be available at the LIFF Sales table, located in front of the theaters, beginning on Thursday, October 15th, at 9:00 AM.  ($10.00, $8 for students/seniors).   There will also be an encore screening of the film on Sunday, October 18^th, at 6:45 (without cast and crew in attendance). 

For more information about LIFF 2015, visit their website at www.laughlinfilmfestival.com , or contact the LIFF team e-mail at info@laughlinfilmfestival.com, or call LIFF at (702) 755 - 8391.

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For more information, contact:

Dagmar "Mara" Karsen

Executive Director / Co-founder

Laughlin International Film Festival (LIFF)

LIFF Phone:  (702) 755-8391

LIFF Fax:  (951) 824-7535   

e-mail: mara@laughlinfilmfestival.com

website:  www.laughlinfilmfestival.com

Coverage by Eva Louis

                                                                                                       

LiFF Does It Again!!! A Film Festival that Rocks!!!!

Just finished attending the 2014 Laughlin International Film Festival (LiFF) this weekend and was blown away for the second year in a row by an outstanding overall film festival production for the four days (October 16 – 19^th).    

Erik Karsen Puhm, Mara Karsen Puhm, and Dave Davidson Co-Founders of the Laughlin International Film Festival have outdone themselves again by continuing the annual tradition of honoring and recognizing filmmakers from all over the world that participate and submit to the festival.  They are building a community that is becoming family and many are already planning on next year’s “Filmmaker Family Reunion” and looking forward to all the new additions to the extended family.  

The host city of Laughlin, NV along with 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) again proved to provide the perfect mix of location and environment to welcome filmmakers from all over as well as offer a close-knit set-up that enabled viewings, red-carpet photos and interviews (provided by Gianna Nicole Inc.), workshops, and of course all the parties.  The support from the community is clearly evident and it was nice to have so many visitors asking about the buzz and what was going on with all the festival attendees.  The word is getting out about this festival and the only direction for this event is UP and future growth is without any doubt going to happen. 

So here’s the quick run-down on the Film Awards presented at the widely appreciated and spectacular Awards Banquet (that included the opening emcee, Owen Dara, known and loved for his acting, comedy, filmmaking and great personality) that really exceeds expectations of all in attendance . (Disclaimer: This listing is a quick recap – in case any misspellings or errors - updates will be made accordingly as this information was captured at the event and the formal listing from LiFF will be published on their website)

Best Short Documentary – Jesse and the Fountain of Youth - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesse-and-The-Fountain-of-Youth/622534844497164 - Trailer - http://youtu.be/mOvHwsBrUck

Best Web Series – Royals the Series - https://www.facebook.com/royalstheseries - Meet the cast - http://vimeo.com/user24343951/videos

Best Soundtrack/Score – Moustache - https://www.facebook.com/moustachethefilm - Website - http://moustachethefilm.com/

Best Experimental Work – Only in LA – Twitter - https://twitter.com/OnlyinLA1 - Website - http://chroniclesfilm.com/

Best Animation Video – I Need My Monster – Video - http://vimeo.com/94518791

Best Music Video – Look Away (by Eliza) – Video - http://youtu.be/g1qzee0r1S0

Best Local Film – Verdict (by Rebel In a Box Productions) - https://www.facebook.com/rebelfilms.net - Twitter - https://twitter.com/rebelboxfilms

Outstanding Production Value – What Future - https://www.facebook.com/whatfuture11

Best Cinematic Film – Our Father – Website - http://www.ourfatherproductions.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/OurFatherMovie

Best Storytelling – Wolfgang Bodison – The Long Wait - https://www.facebook.com/thelongwaitfilm - website - http://thelongwaitfilm.com

Best Ensemble Cast – Goin’ Guerilla - https://www.facebook.com/goinguerrilla - website - http://www.twitchydolphin.com

Best Thriller Horror – Antisocial Behavior – Trailer - http://youtu.be/LyKYXxgslZY - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AntisocialBehavior

Humanitarian Award – One in a Million - https://www.facebook.com/CjdDocumentary - Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/@cjddocumentary

Best Lead Actress –  Christina Harding (in Moustache)

Best Lead Actor – Michael Gross (in Our Father)

Best Comedy Film – The Backseat - https://www.facebook.com/thebackseatmovie - IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2184956/

Best Drama Film – The Badger Game - https://www.facebook.com/thebadgergamemovie - website - ttp://www.thebadgergame.com

Bud Holland Award - Victim: The Terrifying Story of Sunny Coleman by Andrea Zindel Smith

Best University Film – A Plush Life - https://www.facebook.com/aplushlife - website - http://www.brynscotthubbard.com

Tropicana Award – Best University Film – Into the Silent Sea - https://www.facebook.com/IntoTheSilentSea - website - http://intothesilentsea.com

Best International Short Film – Remembering the Fallen - https://www.facebook.com/rememberingthefallen

Best International Documentary – Shunned - https://www.facebook.com/Shunned - website - http://www.silentvoicesproductions.com

Best International Narrative Film – Blackbird - https://www.facebook.com/blackbirdthemovie - website - http://www.deerstalkerfilms.com

2014 LiFF Pick Award – Deuce of Spades - https://www.facebook.com/deuceofspades - website - http://www.deuceofspadesmovie.com

LiFF Director Award – Penance - https://www.facebook.com/penancemovie - website - http://www.penancemovie.com/

Best US Short Film – Premium Harmony - https://www.facebook.com/PremiumHarmony - website - http://www.premiumharmonymovie.com

Best US Narrative Feature – Three Holes, 2 Brads and a Smoking Gun -https://www.facebook.com/Threeholes  – Trailer - http://youtu.be/G1bj3JHk-AA

Best US Documentary – Music City USA - https://www.facebook.com/musiccitymovie - website - http://www.MusicCityMovie.com

Liff 2014 Grand Jury Award - Moustache - https://www.facebook.com/moustachethefilm - Website - http://moustachethefilm.com/

Stay tuned for more updates and information and if you have films, shorts, music videos, or any other film production, 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!!!

To find out what you missed and to get involved with the awesome Laughlin International Film Festival for next year 2015, go to their sponsor page or send a direct email to info@laughlinfilmfestival.com, submissions@laughlinfilmfestival.com, finance@laughlinfilmfestival.com .