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

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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