Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas Starring Antonio Sabato Jr. Wins Three Categories and
Tre lire, Primo Giorno Wins Two Trophies
Cinematographer Haskell Wexler Receives
2nd Annual Living Legends Award
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (April 6, 2009) Last night, at the 9th Annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) closing Gala Awards ceremony, Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas, based on the true story of serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, directed by Michael Feifer and starring Antonio Sabato, Jr., captured three awards, including Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. Italian film Tre lire, Primo Giorno directed by Andrea Pellizzer and starring Carlo Rivolta de Vanzaghello and Fabrizio Veronese (also a producer), won the award for Best Foreign Film and the highly coveted Golden Palm Award. The second annual Beverly Hills Film Festival Legends Award was also presented to Academy Award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler (Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf," Bound for Glory"). The event, which was held on Sunday evening, April 5, 2009, at the Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Boulevard), was attended by celebrities including Antonio Sabato Jr., Jane Seymour and Elisa Donovan, as well as industry VIPs and independent filmmakers.
The five-day festivalfeaturing premieres, parties and panels kicked-off Wednesday, April 1st with an Opening Night
red carpet event at the Clarity Theater in Beverly Hills.
Haskell Wexler's Legends Award
Haskell Wexler, a two-time Oscar winning cinematographer, has a body of work spanning 51 years. One of the most influential cinematographers in movie history, Wexler was also one of only six cinematographers to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wexler also received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Society of Cinematographers, in addition to a Career Achievement Award from the International Documentary Association.
As he spoke to a new budding generation of filmmakers Sunday evening, Wexler, 87, proclaimed, "You don't have to wait as long as I did to become a living legend." He also urged filmmakers to give themselves credit along their challenging journeys and to value their business colleagues.
2009 Beverly Hills Film Festival Awards
2009 BHFF recipients were awarded with custom-made crystal and marble trophies, created by Society Awards.
The Golden Palm Award (best film in all categories) went to Tre lire, Primo Giorno directed by Andrea Pellizzer.
Best Actress went to Caia Cooley for Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas."
Best Actor went to Antonio Sabato Jr. for his role in Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas, directed by Michael Feifer.
Best Director went to Michael Feifer for Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas."
Best Producer went to Michael Afendakis for Delta Rising," starring Morgan Freeman.
Best Foreign Film went to the Italian feature, Tre lire, Primo Giorno from director Andrea Pellizzer.
Best Cinematography went to the for the drama short TRACES.
Best Editing went to the short Way Up North," directed by Levi Taylor.
Best Animation went to the retro-style short BOTNIK! from director Jacqueline Smessaert Brennan.
Best Screenplay went to the documentary "Salud" directed, produced and starring Cesar De Leon.
AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Best Short Film went to Dan and the Van" directed by John Nijhawan.
Best Documentary went to "Henry O!" directed by Ziad Hamzeh and produced by Karen Hunter.
Best Feature Film went to Gangster Exchange," written and directed by Dean Barjramovic and produced by David Krae.
SPECIAL JURY AWARDS
Best Feature Film went to War Against the Weak," directed by Justin Strawhand and written by Richard Belfiore.
Best Short Film went to Way Up North" written, directed and starring Levi Taylor.
GOLDEN PALM SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
The Golden Palm Screenplay Competition Award went to Paul De Leonardo for Europia 2050. The first runner up award went to Alek S. Carrera and Daniel Fanaberia for "Why We Live." The second runner up award went to Choices I-The Reunion, by writer James Kirtland.
The Jury
Jury members include actor Billy Zane; actress Elisa Donovan; actor Corbin Bernsen; actor Robert Davi; actor James Russo; actress Kashmera Shah; Producer Steven Paul; 2003 BHFF Golden Palm Winner Martin Vartanov; Producer Barry Navidi; actor Ali Pourtash; and President of the Jury Benji Atoori.
About BHFF
The annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival was founded in 2001 by award-winning independent filmmaker Nino Simone. The event is dedicated to showcasing and promoting non-studio films to the entertainment industry. Designed to bridge the world of premiere independent cinema with the renowned community of Beverly Hills, the festival hosts world-class screenings, networking events and industry seminars.
For more information on the festival, please visit www.beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com or call the BHFF office at 310.779.1206.
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