14th ANNUAL MIAMI GAY AND LESBIAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES “BEST OF FESTIVAL” AWARD WINNING FILMS

MIAMI – May 9, 2012 – The Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (MGLFF) came to an end this Sunday, May 6, after featuring more than 65 films from 15 countries around the world. Films included shorts, documentaries and feature-length movies that supported the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. Filmmakers and cast members from many of the films flew in for the Festival, participated in Q&A sessions and made appearances at several parties held throughout the 10-day festival.  At the elegant “Reflections” Awards Brunch at Trio on the Bay, Festival Director Franc Castro and Programming Committee Co-Chair Victor M. Gimenez announced the winners of this year’s Festival Awards.

Awards were given in six award categories: Jury Selection Best Short Film, Jury Selection Best Documentary, Jury Selection Best Feature Film, as well as Audience Award Best Short Film, Audience Award Best Documentary and Audience Award Best Feature Film.  Three additional films received “Special Mention” recognition for Audience Short Film, Documentary and Feature Film.

Award Winners:

Jury Selection Best Short Film ($500):  “Fallen Comrade,” a film about two Soldiers in the U.S. Army and the impact after one is lost in combat.  Filmmaker James Valdez was present to accept the award.

Jury Selection Best Documentary ($1,000): “UNFIT: Ward vs. Ward,” a documentary based on the true story of a Florida legal battle that argued the case of who was a better fit parent, a convicted murderer or lesbian. Filmmakers Katie Carmichael and Edwin Scharlau were present to accept the award.

Jury Selection Best Feature Film ($1,000): “North Sea Texas,” a feature film from Belgium about a teenage boy who is searching for love and finds himself fixated on the boy next door.

Audience Award Best Short Film ($500): “Fallen Comrade.” Filmmaker James Valdez was present to accept the award.

Audience Award Best Documentary ($1,000): “Wish Me Away,” a documentary based on country music star Chely Wright’s struggle with coming out in public about her sexuality, and how she discovered the transformational power of living an authentic life.

Audience Award Best Feature Film ($1,000): “Elliott Loves,” a story of Dominican-American Elliot Ayende at two stages of his life; as a nine-year-old who is the side-kick and confidant to his barely-keeping-it-together mom; and as a twenty one-year-old looking for love in New York City. Filmmaker Terracino and actors Quentin Davis Araujo and Erin Fogel were present to accept the award.

Special Mention for Audience Short Film: “Shabbat Dinner,” a short film where two teenagers discover they have more in common than their displeasure of being home on a Friday night.

Special Mention Audience Documentary: “UNIFT: Ward vs. Ward.” Filmmakers Katie Carmichael and Edwin Scharlau were present to accept the award.

Special Mention Audience Feature Film: “Men to Kiss,” a comedy about a young Berlin banker in a relationship with an artistic and flamboyant boyfriend and the triangle that ensues when an old family friend comes to town.

The 2012 Jury Awards are decided by a panel of judges that consisted of the MGLFF’s Programming Committee. 

“We are sad to see this year’s Festival end, but we are excited and already gearing up for next year’s Festival. We set our bar high this time around, but we are excited to exceed our attendees’ expectations again next year,” says MGLFF Executive Director Franc Castro.

This year’s Festival consisted of sold out films for the men’s short programs “What Men Want,” feature length films like “Men to Kiss,” “Elliot Loves,” “Naked As We Came,” “Habana Muda/Austin Unbound,” “Ausente,” opening and closing night films “Kawa” and “North Sea Texas” and the documentary “UNFIT: Ward vs. Ward.”

Also a highlight at this year’s Festival was the opening night ceremony where country singer Chely Wright received the inaugural Lavender Heart Award, which was created by the MGLFF to recognize an LGBT individual in the arts/entertainment industry who has demonstrated extreme acts of courage while promoting the LGBT community in a positive manner. Wright stayed the weekend to make an appearance at her special screening of “Wish Me Away”, where she spoke about the struggles she faced the past two years while “coming out” to the public about her sexuality. The MGLFF also honored former board member Mark ‘MarkyG’ Gilbert with the Angel Award for the positive impact he has had on several arts programs in the community and in particular on the MGLFF.

Next year’s Festival is schedule to run April 25 through May 5, 2013. To become a member of the MGLFF and receive advance ticket purchasing rights, as well as discounted and complimentary tickets to screenings, visit www.mglff.com. Members receive priority entry, seating benefits, invitations to special events and much more.

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About the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

The MGLFF is a critically acclaimed event running from April 26-May 5, 2013.  Now in its 15th year, the MGLFF is held annually throughout South Florida in the world-renowned historic South Beach district and throughout Miami-Dade County. The MGLFF is celebrated for its program of feature films, documentaries and short films by, about and of interest to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. In 2011-2012, screenings and special events drew more than 13,500 attendees from greater Miami–Dade, as well as national and international visitors. The MGLFF remains active outside of the film festival to produce the 4^th Annual Ft. Lauderdale Gay and Lesbian Film Festival running from October 4-7, 2012 and provide monthly movie screenings throughout the year through its GLOW Miami and 954 GLOW programs. These programs bring year-round advance, archival and educational screenings to movie goers in Miami-Dade and Broward County.

Bridget N. Pietsch 
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