NH FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2009 GRANNY WINNERS

“That Evening Sun” wins NHFF Grand Jury Award. Nearly 9,000 attend 80 independent films.

OCT. 19, 2009 PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – After four days of independent film that drew nearly 9,000 attendees to several sold-out screenings and talk-of-the-town, standing-room-only after-parties, the New Hampshire Film Festival announced 2009 Granny Award winners during closing ceremonies Sun., Oct. 18.

Hundreds of VIP attendees, artists, and industry icons flooded the independent film festival’s fabulous after-parties and VIP suites at Flatbread Co., Portsmouth Gas Light Co., the One Hundred Club, and Pesce Blue. NHFF attendees included actors Brett Cullen and Ann Cusack, and Hollywood producer Mark Urman. Info at www.nhfilmfestival.com, www.twitter.com/nhff, www.facebook.com/NHFilmFestival, or 603.647.6439.

NHFF 2009 GRANNY AWARD WINNERS
Grand Jury Award, Scott Teems, “That Evening Sun”
- Best Feature, Tim Disney, “American Violet”
- Best Documentary, George Kachadorian, “Shooting Beauty”
- Best Short Drama, Eric D. Howell “Ana’s Playground”
- Best Short Comedy, Arran Brownlee and Corran Brownlee, 
- “The Continuing and Lamentable Saga of the Suicide Brothers”
- Best Animation, Sally Pearce, “Elephants”
- Best Student Film, David Jibladze, “Beholden”
- Audience Choice Narrative, Brant Sersen, “Splinterheads”
- Audience Choice Documentary, Aron Gaudet, “The Way We Get By”
- Screenplay Competition, Ed Boyle and Kevin Carey, “Peter’s Song”
- NH Filmmaker of the Year, Chase Bailey, “Crooked Lane”
- Best NH Documentary, Marc Dole, “Mito-Kids: Documenting Life”

“That Evening Sun” follows an aging farmer who returns to his homestead to confront family betrayal, an old enemy and the loss of his farm. Teems adapted the screenplay from a short story by William Gay. The packed house for Audience Choice Narrative-Winner “Splinterheads” was NHFF’s largest daytime audience in history.

“We thank all of our independent filmmakers, filmgoers, panelists, special guests and corporate sponsors such as Irving Oil who made NHFF 2009 so memorable,” said NHFF Executive Director Nicole Gregg. “We are also eternally grateful to our army of volunteers and to the high levels of sponsorship from companies like Vital Design, Access Sports Medicine, Left Bank Films, Rule | Boston Camera, The Provident Bank, Hilton Garden Inn and the Sheraton Harborside.”

More than 80% of screened films were represented by someone from the film, including Director Chris Nyst, who flew from Australia to screen his film, “Crooked Business.” Other highlights included independent film documentary “Food, Inc.,” which included a Q&A session with Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg; the Farrely-brothers produced “Lost Son of Havana,” on Red Sox great Luis Tiant’s return to Cuba; and the acclaimed feature “The Burning Plain” with Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

About NHFF
The non-profit New Hampshire Film Festival is the only event of its kind in the state. Its mission is to celebrate the art of filmmaking by uniting professional filmmakers, screenwriters, and film students with industry experts, educators, and film connoisseurs from around the globe. More info online at www.nhfilmfestival.com. Advertising, volunteer, and sponsorship opportunities available.