Palm Beach Women’s International Film Festival PBWIFF

"Leading Ladies" Wins Top Prize at Inaugural Festival
Festival Closes with Sold Out Crowds

West Palm Beach, FL (April 11, 2011) Erica Beahm, co-writer and co-director of “Leading Ladies,” danced her way to winning the top honor, as her film won Best Feature Film of the inaugural Palm Beach Women’s International Film Festival which ran April 7-10 at various locations in Palm Beach County.

“I am elated that my very first film was completely sold out and won the top honor at the best film festival I have ever attended; and I promise I will be back to dance with all of you again next year!” said Beahm.

“Finding Kind,” the impactful film about the mean girl phenomenon won Best Documentary. Writer, director Lauren Parsekian was on hand to receive the Tiffany & Co. award.

Best Short went to LonelyGirl48, produced and directed Kendra Cunningham and Vicky Kuperman.

However the “star” at the Closing Night party was 9 year old Elena Miciulis, the young Lithuanian actress from the short film “Kaledaitis,” which won runner-up honors in the short category. Elena posed for photos, signed autographs and danced the night away at the closing night party at the Muvico Premiere.

Additional award winners include the Swedish film “Starring Maja” as runner-up feature film and “Atlantic Crossing” and “Resilience” tied for runner-up documentary category.

“You really know you are doing something amazing when the filmmakers and attendees are thanking you for throwing such terrific parties and showing such great films,” said co-director PJ Layng. “I am just so humbled by the enthusiastic support of this community and look forward to seeing everyone next year March 29 – April 1, 2012!”

Highlights of the entire weekend included the gracious and glamorous Sharon Gless, who received numerous standing ovations to a sold out house of nearly 200 as she received the Women In Media achievement award from world famous Worth Avenue fashion designer Alfred Fiandaca. Gless received the award for her continued portrayal of iconic, strong women characters  classic TV series including Cagney & Lacey, Queer as Folk and Burn Notice. Gless’ film “Hannah Free,” in which she produced and starred, played at the Compass Community Center in Lake Worth and was followed by an all 80’s themed party at The Cottage in Lake Worth.

The Young Women’s Film Competition held on Saturday, April 9 also saw many local women filmmakers receive cash prizes for their films. Award winners were:

College Winners:

1st Place – Nemesis – Valeria Litvinova – AiMIU

2nd Place – Zimbabwe – Anjuli Hinds – Florida State

College Animation Winners:

1st Place – Bottle – Kristen Lepore – Cal Arts

2nd Place – Hughbert – Mallory Dyer – Cal Arts

3rd Place – Thembi’s Diary – Ji Soo Kim – Cal Arts

High School Winners:

1st Place – Static – Katherine Barnette - G Star School of the Arts

2nd Place – Consumer – Mikayla Moya and Emily Lane - A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

3rd Place – Once Upon A Tomato – Jennifer Brito - A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts

The Palm Beach Women’s International Film Festival is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to producing a world class film festival that will inspire, promote and support women filmmakers. For more information visit www.pbwiff.com or call (561) 712-1113.

 PHOTO CAPTIONS: 

#1487 – Alfred Fiandaca and Sharon Gless

#1569 - Alfred Fiandaca presents Sharon Gless with the Women in Media Award

#1812 – PBWIFF Chair Bruce Sutka, Pj Layng, Co-Director, Erica Beahm, filmmaker and Terri Neil, Co-Director