VAIL FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2009 AWARD WINNERS, KEVIN SMITH AND MICHELLE MONAGHAN HONORED

(PRLEAP.COM) VAIL, Colo., April 10, 2009- The 2009 Vail Film Festival presented six film awards at this past weekend’s awards ceremony. The 6th Annual Festival sceened over 50 films from around the world. The festival also honored filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor Michelle Monaghan with tribute awards.

"We’re very proud of the programming, tribute recipients, sponsors, and attendee support for this year’s festival. We showcased films from across the country and around the world that represented a unique and powerful range of indie filmmaking talent" said Sean Cross, co-founder and director of the Vail Film Festival. "We are thrilled with the success of the 2009 Vail Film Festival, and look forward to begin planning for next year."

Kevin Smith was presented with the Vail Film Festival’s 2009 Renegade Award for risk taking in film. The Festival honored Smith for his contribution to independent film and for his groundbreaking work. His first film, CLERKS, was a huge critical success and shot Kevin’s career into high drive. His next film, MALL RATS, also became a cult hit. CHASING AMY has been hailed as one of Smith’s best films and was on many critic’s year-end best lists. Smith’s other films include DOGMA, starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, JERSEY GIRL, starring Affleck and Liv Tyler, and this years huge hit, ZACK AND MIRI, starring Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks.

The festival was honored to present Michelle Monaghan with the 2009 Excellence in Acting Award. Most recently Michelle starred in the hit thriller EAGLE EYE opposite Shia LaBeouf, and MADE OF HONOR opposite Patrick Dempsey. She also starred with Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer for writer/director Shane Black in KISS KISS BANG BANG, and with Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, and Sissy Spacek in NORTH COUNTRY. More recently she starred in GONE BABY GONE with Casey Affleck and Morgan Freeman, in THE HEARTBREAK KID opposite Ben Stiller and in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III opposite Tom Cruise. Michelle also stars in and serves as executive producer of TRUCKER, which opened the 2009 Vail Film Festival.

2009 Film Awards:

The Best Film award went to director Blayne Weaver’s Weather Girl. After learning her boyfriend (Harmon) cheated on her with his co-host (Olson), a Seattle morning show weather girl (O’Kelley) freaks out on-air and is fired. Forced to move in with her little brother (Devlin) and deal with his best friend (Adams), she has to learn to cope with being 35, single, unemployed, and unfortunately famous for being the Sassy Weather Girl who lost it on live television.

Director Jon Gunn’s Like Dandelion Dust won the Audience Award. Karen Kingsbury’s "Like Dandelion Dust", based on the best-selling novel, is a compelling drama that explores the different meanings of being a parent through the grittily realistic lives of the struggling, blue-collar Porter’s, and the privileged Campbell family. Their lives intersect, intertwine and collide, all for the love of a little boy.

The Best Documentary was awarded to Garbage Dreams, by director Mai Iskander. Filmed over four years, GARBAGE DREAMS follows three teenage boys – Adham, a bright precocious 17 year old; Osama, a charming impish 16 year old; Nabil, a shy artistic 18 year old – born into the trash trade and growing up in the world’s largest garbage village, a ghetto located on the outskirts of Cairo.

In the Wind, by director Martin Papazian won the Best Short Award. Byron, having served his country abroad, has returned to his native shore: the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. He meets his younger brother, Shucky, at the home they grew up in; which is now a skeleton of what was. In Byron’s absence, Shucky has become a solider of the streets in the wake of hurricane Katrina.

The Best Student Film Award went to Open Your Eyes, by director Susan Cohen. Life threw Julia a curve ball she never expected. Open Your Eyes follows Julia as she struggles to come to terms with her life and marriage after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Uniquely by director John Roderick won the Best Action Sports Award. Uniquely showcases the diverse personalities, lifestyles and athletic talents of the Oakley women’s team. The film exposes the joys and challenges of being a professional athlete while inspiring us all to create our own adventures.

Sponsors of the Vail Film Festival
Premiere sponsors include MetaFoundry, Stella Artois, Town of Vail, (RED), Audi, and Lufthansa, with supporting sponsors Vail Resorts, SAG Indie, Canadian Club Whiskey, Vodka Fourteen, Walmart, Eagle Airport, the Canadian Consulate, and the Colorado Film Commission. The Festival’s media partners include Vail Daily, Plum TV, NRC Broadcasting, TV8, Comcast, 5280, and Wired. The Vail Cascade Resort & Spa served as the Festival’s host hotel.

MetaFoundry provided strategy, creative, and technical services in both traditional and online media. Stella Artois presented the Opening Night Party, Audi provided vehicles for VIP and filmmaker transportation, Lufthansa presented the German Film Showcase, SAG Indie presented the Student Film Showcase, the Canadian Consulate Denver presented the Action Sports Showcase, and the Colorado Film Commission presented the Colorado Film Showcase.

About Vail Film Festival:
The Vail Film Festival promotes independent filmmaking, with a special focus on new and innovative filmmakers. The Vail Film Festival is produced by the Colorado Film Institute, a non-profit arts organization. For additional information, please visit www.vailfilmfestival.org or call (970) 476-1092.

Editors Note: Logo and hi-res images available at www.vailfilmfestival.org/extranets/press.
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