FILM FESTIVAL NEWS: Natalie Morales honored with See It, Be It at the 2018 Bentonville Film Festival; full award winners announces
Natalie Morales honored with See It, Be It at the Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) founded by Walmart and Presented by Coca-Cola, announced its 2018 Award Winning Films, and honors at an Awards Ceremony, presented by P&G, at the Crystal Bridges American Museum of Art.
The show was hosted by The Real’s Loni Love, and presenters included festival Co-Founders Geena Davis and Trevor Drinkwater, and actor Stephanie Beatriz, with performances by Martina McBride and the Latin X Theater Project. Actor and filmmaker Natalie Morales was presented with BFF’s first SEE IT, BE IT award, recognizing her rising and influential voice in the landscape of diversity and inclusion in media.
The winning film received award recognition as well as prizes from the awards partners listed below. Five out of five feature film award winners made their world premiere at BFF this year.
Jury Awards:
Best Narrative Film: LEZ BOMB, (World Premiere), Director: Jenna Laurenzo, includes guaranteed distribution offer from a BFF distribution partner
Best Documentary Film: EMANUEL (World Premiere), Director Brian Ivie, includes a mentorship prize package from ITVS
Best Short Film: THE BROWNLIST, Directors: Kelly Walker and Ryan Garcia, includes a feature film directing job from MarVista Entertainment
Best Episodic: BEAST, Director Ben Strang, includes a mentorship prize package from SeriesFest
Audience Awards:
Best Narrative Film: MISS ARIZONA (World Premiere), Director Autumn McAlpin
Best Documentary Film: LOVE ALWAYS MOM (World Premiere), Directors Tricia Russo, Craig E. Shapiro
Best Short Film: LABORATORY CONDITIONS, Director Jocelyn Stamat
Best Episodic: BROOKLYNIFCATION, Director Keith Miller
Best of the Fest: F.R.E.D.I. (World Premiere) Director Sean Olson
Additional awards included:
Big Vision Empty Wallet Fellowship Award: Molly McGlynn, Writer/Director, MARY GOES ROUND. Big Vision’s focus is on fostering inclusion and developing unexpected content with women, people of color and LGBTQ creators.
Samsung Create Award: Olivia Stumbaugh, Chris Perea & Melanie Teoh, Harbor High School, Springdale, Arkansas
Natalie Morales honored with See It, Be It at the Bentonville Film Festival (BFF) founded by Walmart and Presented by Coca-Cola, announced its 2018 Award Winning Films, and honors at an Awards Ceremony, presented by P&G, at the Crystal Bridges American Museum of Art.