For Immediate Release

Contact: Robin Saban
Phone: 818-425-8137
Email: info@isffhollywood.org
Website: www.isffhollywood.org

The 7th Annual ISFFH Closes with Filmmaker Awards

North Hollywood, CA - The 7th Annual International Student Film Festival Hollywood (ISFFH) drew to a close on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood.  More than 26 awards were presented to the top filmmakers this year. The Festival received more than 250 submissions from junior high schools, high schools, colleges, universities and private film schools worldwide, including such countries as Vietnam, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Romania, Israel, Canada, Australia and the USA.

Michael Greenspan was presented with the Inspiration Award for his achievements since winning an award for his film “The Legend of Razorback” at the very first ISFFH in 2003. Michael is currently directing the feature film “Wrecked,” starring Adrien Brody who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “The Pianist” in 2002.

Throughout the Festival, filmmakers had the opportunity to mingle with each other and industry professionals. Each screening segment was followed by a question and answer period encouraging the filmmakers to actively engage the audience in discussion to further build their enthusiasm, self-confidence and public speaking ability.

Michael Greenspan handed out this year’s awards along with the ISFFH Founder and President, Robin Saban. The winners were Best Junior High School Claymation: “Fabio” directed by Jared Harris; Best Junior High School Animation: “Astronuts: Lunar Mission” directed by Kaya Ogmen; Best Junior High School Docu-Animation: “The Resister” directed by Noah Schneider; Best Junior High School Music Video: “The Lie” directed by Joshua James; Best Junior High School Documentary: “Homelessness in the United States” directed by Sarah Marshall and Rose Johnson; Best Junior High School Drama: “Letters to Lincoln” directed by Robert Rickert; Best High School PSA: “Listen to the Truth” directed by Brendan Michaelson; Best High School Music Video: “Hideaway” directed by Kerry Furrh; Best High School Documentary: “Omer” directed by Emma Strebel; Best High School Drama: “In The Dark” directed by Sam Medina; Best High School Comedy: “2 People” directed by Adam Buchsbaum; Best High School Claymation: “Lucky” directed by Max Maddox and Brady Serwitz; Best High School Animation: “Super Gecko!” directed by Yuko Takeoka; Best Foreign Language High School Dark Comedy: “You and I are About to Die” directed by Idan Shamay; Best Foreign Language High School Documentary: “Between Two Worlds” directed by Nina Kardashov and “Shay-El” directed by Tomer Buskila; Best Foreign Language High School Drama: “A Long Way Down” directed by Lior Levi and Shay Eyal; Best Foreign Language Drama: “Elkland” directed by Per Hanefjord and “In the Dark” directed by Alex Fazeli; Best Animation: “Mushroom” directed by Robby Sanguinetti; Best Documentary: “One Sister at a Time: Positive Women's Stories” directed by Deborah Craig and Veronica Deliz; Best Sci-Fi: “S.S. Humanity” directed by Matthew Ladensack; Best Horror/Thriller: “The 4th” directed by eNKee Nguyen; Best Dark Comedy: “Delaney” directed by Carles Torrens; Best Comedy: “Fiasco” directed by Nadia Hamzeh; Best Children Drama: “Rocket” directed by Phillip Austin Wilson; Best Drama: “Open Your Eyes” directed by Susan Cohen; and Grand Jury Award: “Beholden” directed by David Jibladze. Congratulations to all of the filmmakers!

The ISFFH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the next generation of filmmakers, please visit the ISFFH website for more information on this important event and to support the festival www.isffhollywood.org.
We thank the following sponsors for supporting the next generation of filmmakers. American Building Supply, Wells Fargo, CRA/LA, CISCorp, LA 411, Saban Enterprises, Marilyn Bradbury, Rotary Club of Studio City and Sherman Oaks, Gloria and Lou Weintraub, Creative Handbook, Actors Certified Training, A Matter of Pixels, Production Hub, Discmakers, Turkla.com, Entertainment Partners, NoHoArtsDistrict.com, and LAGrip.com.

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