The 2009 42nd Annual

WorldFest-Houston

Independent International 

Film Festival

(Saturday, April 25, 2009)

(Grand Remi Awards Dinner & Cocktail Party)

WorldFest-Houston and Founder/Director Mr. Hunter Todd invited the public to attend the closing night of the 2009 42nd Annual WorldFest-Houston Independent International Film Festival with a Grand Remi Awards Dinner and Cocktail Party at the Renaissance Hotel,  Grand Ballroom Saturday night, April 25, 2009. The Ballroom was standing room only and hundreds of people representing several nations gathered for a night of entertainment which included Folkloric Dancers from four Countries. The Ballroom was spectacular and the table settings were equally eloquent. C-47 Houston magazine and several other news outlets were there to cover the Gala. Mr. Todd was a gracious and attentive host as he took the stage, along with Television newsman Bob Boudreaux to entertain and present the Gold Remi Awards. Hundreds of filmmakers, producers, scriptwriters, actors and directors were there, including some of our industry leaders.  As each award category was announced the filmmakers would walk to the stage from their table and accept the award and pose for a picture. After the Awards were handed out, a gourmet dinner was served and an enjoyable night at the Grand Remi Awards Dinner and Gala came to an closing.

Festivities began with a cocktail reception hosted by The Houston Film Commission. Alex Lubrano, member of the 5-time World Champion Bagpipe Band of Houston's St. Thomas Episcopal School launched the awards segment by piping in festival founder, Hunter Todd and guests.  Dance entertainment was presented by Nelly Fraga's Ambassador Intl. Ballet Folklorico followed by the Olympian Greek Dancers and the grand finale by Shawn Welling's dynamic Planet Funk Academy's premiere dancers who performed a high-energy dance mix created especially for the gala. 

The Remi After-Party was hosted by Travis "Hit Man" Hearn. 

WorldFest conducted Six Film Industry Seminars concluding with the ever popular Indie Forum of WorldFest Directors moderated by Jon Scheide, a multi-award winner at WorldFest. Industry Entertainment's Andrew Deane, a longtime festival friend returned to present his overview analysis of Agents, Managers & Studios and conducted those ever necessary pitching sessions. Scouting for new product, Panorama Entertainment's Stuart Strutin presented his informative Distribution for Indies and Jon Scheide offered Protocol for Scriptwriters; Laura Pennino (Pennino and Partners) presented How to Promote your Indie Project and award-winning Canadian Documentarian Alan Mendelsohn presented his ever popular, Docs on a Dime.

If you missed the Awards Dinner, C-47 Houston magazine was there to take some pictures. You can see some of the pictures (see the pictures). C-47 Houston magazine photographer and actress Ms. Laura Thorsten was there to take some pictures as well. We will have those pictures at a later date, so check back! Enjoy! or you can see them in our next issue. 

Also, if you missed the opening night screening and arrival of legendary movie star Ms. Patricia Neal and the after-party at the Skyroom of the Renaissance Hotel you missed out on meeting plenty of filmmakers and being one degree and two degrees from most of our movie stars who have made their mark on film. However, C-47 Houston magazine was there to take some pictures for our readers from around the world and those who couldn't make it. (see the pictures)

THE GRAND REMI AWARD WINNERS: There were more than 4,200 category entries in all film and video competitions, and between 12-15% of submitted entries won awards.

WorldFest 2009 Grand REMI Awards are:

BEST THEATRICAL FEATURE ~ "Bitter/Sweet", WorldFest alum, Jeff Hare, Angel & Bear Productions, USA/Thailand;

BEST FILM & VIDEO ~ "Mysteries of the Great Lakes", David Lickley, Science North, Canada;

BEST TV & CABLE PRODUCTION ~ "Moon Machines, Command Module", Duncan Copp, Dox Prdns., UK;

BEST NEW MEDIA ~ "The BMW Experience: Passion for Innovation", Scott Clements, Alp Communications, Canada;

BEST EXPERIMENTAL FILM & VIDEO ~ "Intinahui- In the Eye of the Sun", Klaus Schrefler, Syndicate, Austria;

BEST SHORT SUBJECT ~ "Auf Der Strecke (On the Line)", Ute Dilger, Academy of Media Arts Cologne, Germany;

BEST TV COMMERCIAL ~ "My Houston - ZZ Top, Ballet, & Scrap Daddy", Zen Film, USA;

BEST STUDENT FILM ~ Paris Mavroidis for "Divers", USA;

BEST MUSIC VIDEO to Barbara Misto for "Goin' Down to Mexico", USA.

The Russian-American Publication & Gem Arts Studio sponsored a handsomely crafted gemstone award for the BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE film which went to "God's Little Garden", Jacek Bromski, Zebra Film Studio, Poland.

"God's Little Garden" also garnered 2 more awards; Best Music to composer, Henri Seroka, and REMI Special Jury Award contending for Best Feature Film.

 Moving Images Group & Coral Gate Media's Chris Weatherhead was a triple-winner also for "All for Liberty" with a Special Jury Award, Best Art Direction and a Platinum in feature trailers.

Kodak's Crystal Vision award went to "Tender as Hellfire", Jason Stone, USC, USA.

The Best Texas award went to "The Heart of Texas", Mitchell Wright & Dan Patrick, Plaid Shirt Pictures, USA.

The Best Houston Award went to "Las Luciernagas, (The Fireflies)", Robert Minervini, Pulpa Entertainment, Houston, TX.

To see a complete list of Remi Winners see it on an Excel File (click here)

Learn more about WorldFest-Houston at: www.Worldfest.org 

www.C47Houston.com