Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

May 04, 2004 04:55 PM�US Eastern Timezone

The 35th Annual Nashville Film Festival Celebrates Another Successful Year

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2004--
"This year, we saw a 17% increase in overall attendance," says NFF President, Jeff Walker. "It's great that the festival again showed such dramatic growth this year. It is becoming an important part of the Nashville entertainment landscape and should continue its growth in the years ahead. People like Patrick Swayze and Rick Schroder were very impressed with the southern hospitality afforded by the festival and Nashville in general, and I'm sure they will be back."

NFF's Managing Director, Sallie Mayne who also credits the festival's success to the staff and people behind the scenes explains, "Our festival is made up of a dedicated board, staff and over 150 volunteers who help make this event happen because they believe this festival is important to the independent filmmaker and to our community."

The festival kicked off with a sold-out opening night screening of Festival Express and throughout the week included several fully attended workshops, panels and parties. Along with Swayze & Schroder, other celebrity guests in attendance included Black Cloud co-star, Tim McGraw and wife, Faith Hill who threw a private reception for the film's cast on Friday night and attended the film's Music City debut.

An award ceremony hosted by country music singer, Mark Collie was held at Nashville Public Television on Saturday, May 1.

Take Out, a story about a Chinese emigrant in Manhattan who attempts to raise money in order to pay back his smugglers, was awarded the Dreammaker Award. Sponsored by Regal Cinemas, the award involves at least a week's commercial run in a theater in Los Angeles County, which will qualify the film for Academy Award consideration.

Producer, Christine Vachon, was presented with the Freedom in Film Award for lifetime achievement in preserving First Amendment values in filmmaking. Vachon has produced such films as Poison, Camp, Party Monster, Far From Heaven, One Hour Photo and Boys Don't Cry, to name a few.

The prestigious President's Award was presented to actor/director, Rick Schroder and the cast of Black Cloud. The award is granted to an individual or group of individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the ongoing advancement to the growth of the Nashville Film Festival.

This year's Tennessee Independent Spirit Award, given to the best work by a filmmaker from the state, went to Tony Cane-Honeysett for The Royal Academy.

Among the new awards added to this year's ceremony were Best Use of Music In A Film, sponsored by BME and awarded to Nashville resident, Stacy Widelitz for One Last Dance. The Best Music Video went to Trey Fanjoy (FM Rocks) for "100 Years" by rock group Five For Fighting.

The Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, sponsored by Dish Magazine and based on voting by festival patrons, went to Saved! directed by Brian Dannelly. The runner-up was Black Cloud written, directed and produced by Schroder.

NFF Artistic Director, Brian Gordon says this year's success is highly encouraging and that he is already looking forward to planning next year's event, "We are extremely delighted by the festivalgoers' and guests' enthusiastic response to the films. It motivates us to make next year's festival even better as it is clear Nashville audiences deserve the very best."

For a complete list of award winners, visit: www.nashvillefilmfestival.org.