LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2014) — Award Nominations for the 12th Annual 168 Film Festival were announced today by 168 Film Founder and Executive Director, John David Ware. Filmmakers have delivered a 10-minute short film based on a randomly assigned scripture, in hopes of winning a share of $20,000 in cash and prizes.
Films will screen at the Aratani Japanese Theater, Downtown Los Angeles on Friday Sept. 12from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm and Saturday Sept. 13 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Saturday includes a Red Carpet ceremony packed with stars from 5:30pm – 7:00pm and
The top-nominated film is medical thriller TULA TULA with 12 noms. Diane Vermooten’s Media Village Productions from South Africa is the returning nominations champ (Her film FREEDOM ROAD won 5 awards in 2013).
Rick Marcus’ hardworking drama THE RANCH and Daniel Furukawa’s baby shower dramaWHAT SHOWERS BRING grabbed ten noms apiece.
Eight noms each go to space-romp comedy SKYWATCH: THE DUSTER OF DOOM by John DeVries, Gary Zelasko’s surf drama CAUGHT INSIDE and Jason Rodriguez’ cowboys and indigents western drama RIDE ON.
Five noms each go to five films, including crime drama LAKE OF FIRE by Andrew Thorn from Australia, fantasy-family drama THE BEAUTIFUL EXCHANGE by Andrew Garces from New York, not too sweet drama INSULIN by Jonathan Moch from California, well-tied-up comedy THE PARCEL by April Manor and father-son drama CIPTA GELAR (In The Open) by Frederick Wattimena from Indonesia.
Three films of note have 4 noms each including Joseph Robinson’s upstart student musical drama AYAAN (“Gift” in Arabic), culinary dramedy THE MANTLE OF GRANNY BELLE by Travis Grenke and troubled child drama WE CHOOSE YOU by Michael Head from Texas.
Four films collide for 3 noms, including no-tissues-needed comedy THE NOSE JOB by Christopher Shawn Shaw, bows drama CLARISSA’S GIFT by Millena Gay and Obba Babatunde, romantic speed-dating comedy FINDING HER by Jessica Chaney from Tennessee and electric dramedy UNPLUGGED by James Runcorn.
Skateboarding drama CROSSING OVER by Henry Wong and social-justice-minded dramaMCKENZIE’S GIFTS by Robert Springer III each received one nomination.
Nominees for “Non-Speed” entries include Write of Passage Spotlight Films (made from the best of 168’s screenwriting competition) POLYPHONY by Aaron Ybarra and STUCK by Aaron Kamp.
Documentaries include GOD’S GLORY THROUGH GLASS on stained glass stories by Ray Blumhorst and living with disability exploration IDENTITY by Arthur Delgado.
KidVids nominees (made for ages 5-15) include Mark Baird’s cuddly zombie film GIFT OF GRACE and Jay Hanan’s kid in a candy store romp MY FAVORITE GIFT.
Student Film nominees include Rachel Martin for special needs story DG.
Evangelista Award Nominees (Best Evangelical Film) include:
CAUGHT INSIDE – Susan A. St Peters, DG – Dana Dirksen, GIFT OF GRACE – Mark Baird, GOD’S GLORY THROUGH GLASS – Ray Blumhorst, INSULIN – Jonathan Moch and MCKENZIE’S GIFTS – Nancy Bethea.
Best Making of 168 Nominees (Behind the Scenes Films) include:
Making of CAUGHT INSIDE – Gary Zelasko, Making of INSULIN – John Moch,Making of SKYWATCH: THE DUSTER OF DOOM – John DeVries, Making of THE PARCEL – April Manor and Making of TULA TULA – Diane Vermooten