GET A JOB the comedy made in Hawaii and directed by Maui’s Brian Kohne took top honors for a full feature film while THE DOORMAN filmed in New York by director Serena Dykman took top accolades for a short.  This was at the eighth annual Trinity International Film Festival held at the Carr Art Center.  

Last year’s full feature winner was NAA BANGARU THALLI, directed by Rajesh Touchriver.  It was the Telugu version of the Malayalam film ENTE which was about sex trafficking in India.  The film went on to great critical acclaim. 

“The mission statement of the film festival is to provide a multicultural festival experience,” said festival co-director Gregory Taylor.   He continued, “With the showing of all these culturally diverse independent films, I know we hit the mark.  If people are entertained we did our job.”

Full crowds watched on two screens at the T.I.F.F. as over 40 films from 14 countries were juried and showcased.  Over 100 entries were received.  Director Walter V. Marshall of Michigan got a special award as Best New Artist for the full feature, A LOVE THAT HURTS.     https://www.facebook.com/Alovethathurts

Raymond Rolak, one of the producers from GET A JOB was on hand to receive their award.  The filmmaker said, “The people of Hawaii were the real stars of the film.  Also, Brian Kohne weaved the musical talents of Willie K and Eric Gilliom along with the other world class island entertainers masterfully.  The film and music video were giant grand slam homeruns.  The jokes, pratfalls and island humor in the screenplay are all added value to leaving viewers thoroughly entertained.”   Kohne, along with producer Stefan Schafer and cinematographer Dan Hersey are in pre-production for the Hawaiian thriller KULEANA.   www.getajobmovie.com

French born Serena Dykman said at the afterglow, “I am totally thrilled for my cast and crew.  This award really validates all the hard work that went into the project.  Manhattan was the star of our project.  As a writer I see so many more stories coming from New York City.  This award documents a team effort.”  Dykman who was raised in Brussels is in post-production on another New York short, BED BUGS & CO.

 http://www.serenadykman.com/#!the-doorman/c1747

Rolak added, “The afterglow at the “Coaches Corner” across the street from the Carr Arts Center was a nice touch.  We all are grateful for the warm and generous Detroit hospitality from Heather Raye and her staff.  There was a lot of cinema networking going on, from both sides of the camera.  The Trinity International Film Festival exceeded beyond all expectations.”     

Winners of this year’s best feature and short film categories received a professional prize pack from Sony that included more than $3,500 worth of Sony Vegas editing software and sound effects. 

Marshalle Montgomery, festival co-director added, “We tried to expose a wide variety of feature and short films for people to enjoy, everything from action, drama, animation and comedy — we definitely have movies that captured attention.”

Nate Hapke, now of Los Angeles and recently graduated from Syracuse University got the special Emerging Talent Award for the short ALVIE.  

I AM SAMI by Kae Bahar of the United Kingdom, LET BE by Matt Boatright-Simon (USA, Wisconsicn) and featuring actress Val Vega, along with  TRAPPED: THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE by Carlonese Powell (USA, Detroit) were all 15 minute shorts judged as exceptional and got Festival Choice Awards.

A unique offering of youth oriented shorts was screened on Saturday.  Overall, the $10 admission ticket allowed for two days of all-access viewing.  The festival also had a category to showcase the work of local filmmakers.  Detroit filmmakers with presentations included directors, Ashley Kay Evans, Mida Chu, Anthony Green, Darren Brown, Walter V. Marshall, Carlonese Powell, Gregory Dockery and producer, Raymond Rolak