Writer-Director-Producer, Aaron Kamp (center) and "True Reflection" team in Perth, Australia
BEST FILM WINNER FROM AUSTRALIA
Glenn Plummer’s “F8TH” Shines in Actress Category
Burbank, CA-- This weekend (Aug. 24, 25, 20019), the 17th annual 168 Film Festival unspooled at the AMC 16 Cinema in Burbank, sponsored by Arri, Winter Star Productions, Roush Media, Advent Media and 8168 Productions. Filmmakers hone their skills in the 168 “Speed” Film competition and grow as they produce films based on scripture based on the 2019 theme, “Rebirth!”
The top award, “Best of the 168 Film Festival” went to “True Reflection,” directed by Aaron Kamp, from Perth, Australia, along with a grand prize package including a trip to the Cannes Film Festival, $2500 cash from the Peter Glenville Foundation and a $10K Panavision certificate for services.
After the win, Kamp said “Although I was extremely happy with my film & proud of what my team achieved, I did not expect to win.”
Kamp could not make the trip to receive the award, because of his acceptance into the “Director’s Immersive” for emerging Australian film directors. “The 168 Film Project has been instrumental in preparing me for this,” he said. “Their innovative and focused film competition has allowed me to quickly develop and hone my directing skills. We have a tiny film industry here, and without 168, I don’t know if I would have continued to pursue a career in film directing. I’m excited for what the future holds."
Kamp’s “Reflection” had six total wins including Best Film of the 168 Film Festival, Best Speed Film,
Best International, Best Supporting Actor - Ben Weirheim as Matt, Best Screenplay - writer Aaron Kamp and Best Original Score - Rhyan Lyndon-James.
The 168 Film Festival Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards went to “F8TH” (pronounced FAITH), a story about an extraordinary young girl with cancer. Eight-year-old newcomer Zion Broadnax won Best Supporting Actress and her co-star, Nicole D. Watts won Best Actress for her role as Lydia. Broadnax was featured on KCAL 9 TV for her part in the film.
"F8TH" is directed by veteran actor, Glenn Plummer (Gray's Anatomy, CSI, Speed, The Day After Tomorrow), who said, “I found my first endeavor in the faith-based genre to be not only challenging, but inspiring and uplifting on and off the set.”
The Best Actor award went to England’s Chris O'Reilly as Axel in The Other Way, directed by Marcus Wood.
The Best Write of Passage Film honors went to “Sunday School,” directed by Yvette Sams and produced by Alicia Schudt-Schechter & Yvette Sams. Write of Passage is 168's annual screenwriting competition.
Best Comedy was “d.o.G.,” directed by John Lockmer and produced by Justin Manntai.
Best Documentary went to “AIM For Independent Living” by Ashley Sanchez and Mark Baird, featuring “Ozark” & “Jack Reacher” actor and 168 Film Festival presenter, Evan George Vourazeris.
Best Student Film went to “Rewind” directed by Dustin Kahia and Produced by Cameron Haddad.
The Best 168 “Open” Film was “Unfaithful,” directed by Darin Goldberg and Produced by Laura Bunbury, Lisa Bunbury and Jennifer Taylor
“The Antique Shop” from perennial 168 favorite and director, Christopher Wiegand, won five awards including Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editor, Best Production Design and Best Sound Design.
The 2019 “Faith, Hope & Love Award” for Excellence in Filmmaking went the film “Unplanned,” written and directed by Chuck Konzelman & Cary Solomon and to the film’s lead actress, Ashley Bratcher.
The Audience Favorite Awards went to “Don't Talk About Jesus!” produced and directed by Ian Eyre and to “Sunday School” directed by Yvette Sams and produced by Alicia Schudt-Schechter & Yvette Sams.
AWARD WINNERS 168 FILM FESTIVAL 2019
- Best Film of the 168 Film Festival “True Reflection” by Aaron Kamp
- Best Speed Film “True Reflection” directed by Aaron Kamp
- Best Alumni Film “So Much More” directed by Stephanie Hylton
- Best Write of Passage Film “Sunday School” directed by Yvette Sams
- Best International Film “True Reflection” directed by Aaron Kamp (Australia)
- Best Comedy “d.o.G.” directed by John Lockmer
- Best Documentary “AIM For Independent Living” by Ashley Sanchez and Mark Baird
- Best Student Film “Rewind” directed by Dustin Kahia
- Best 168 “Open” Film “Unfaithful” directed by Darin Goldberg
- Best Director ”The Antique Shop” directed by Christopher Wiegand
- Best Actor Chris O'Reilly as Axel, “The Other Way”
- Best Actress Nicole D. Watts as Lydia, “F8TH”
- Supporting Actor Ben Weirheim as Matt, “True Reflection”
- Supporting Actress Zion Broadnax as Hope, “F8TH”
- Best Screenplay “True Reflection” written by Aaron Kamp
- Best Scriptural Integration “The Other Way,” written by Nathan Rees
- Evangelista Award “Out of the Quiet” written by CC Weske
- Best Cinematography Christopher Wiegand, “The Antique Shop”
- Best Editor Christopher Wiegand, “The Antique Shop”
- Best Production Design Christopher Wiegand, “The Antique Shop”
- Best Sound Design Christopher Wiegand, “The Antique Shop”
- Best Original Score Rhyan Lyndon-James, True Reflection
- Best Makeup & Hair Aria Ouellette, Elizabeth Springer, “Awakening”
- Faith, Hope & Love Award: “Unplanned,” written and directed by Chuck Konzelman & Cary Solomon, lead actress, Ashley Bratcher
- Audience Favorite “Don't Talk About Jesus!,” directed by Ian Eyre
- Audience Favorite “Sunday School,” directed by Yvette Sams
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