October 17, 2001

VOTES ARE IN: FIRST SPIRITUAL-THEMED FILM FESTIVAL "SMASHING SUCCESS" ACCORDING TO FESTIVALGOERS AND FILMMAKERS

As Hollywood's Emmys were postponed yet again, Hollywood producer Stephen Simon (WHAT DREAMS MAY COME) turned his attention to a celebration of independent short film in Seattle at the DAMAH FILM FESTIVAL-Spiritual Experiences in Film. On Wednesday, October 10, Simon presented the "Best of Show" award to a 12-minute film that explored life after death.

In its first year, the Damah Film Festival attracted 243 short film submissions and 10 prominent jurors, including Academy Award winner Bruce Joel Rubin (GHOST), Ralph Winter (PLANET OF THE APES), Howard Kazanjian (RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and RETURN OF THE JEDI), and Chris Willman (senior writer for ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY).

Of the 82 films that were accepted and screened at the Seattle Art Museum on October 11, many explored spiritual topics from a wide range of faith perspectives, including Buddhist, Christian, and metaphysical viewpoints. Damah workshops also explored spiritual themes through panel discussions. These religious discussions were sometimes tense, yet eye-opening for all the participants. "There was so much passion," said festivalgoer and actress Kelly Boczek. "People saw these films and automatically something in these films connected them enough to feel so passionate about them. That's so beautiful."

Other workshops focused on the technical aspects of producing, directing, and finding funding for short films. Stephen Simon lent a valuable insider's perspective on the entertainment industry to the discussion.

"I've had an idea for doing a festival like this for a long time, but I had no time for the legwork," said Simon. "So when Clyde and Spencer (festival founders) came to me with this idea, I thought it sounded great. This is really a time when we need to reach out to each other and do some bridge-building."

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, the American public and the media have turned their attention to spiritual issues in a way not seen in recent memory. In a groping attempt to understand Islam and in a sudden reliance on prayer in a time of need, the spiritual dimension of our lives has taken on heightened importance. More than 400 people attended this first-year festival as part of that search for hope and meaning in a troubling time.

A second annual Damah Film Festival is planned for next October in Seattle.

Out of the 82 films screened at the festival, 19 were nominated for awards. The final four award winners each received a bronze Damah statuette and cash prizes totaling $15,000 in a ceremony at the unusual venue of the Experience Music Project at the base of the Space Needle.

Awards presented:

• Stephen Simon (WHAT DREAMS MAY COME) presented the Best of Show Award to writer/producer/director Katherine Makinney for "The Limited," a 12-minute drama about a man who dies, then finds himself on a strange train ride with an unexpected destination.
• University of Washington film professor, Jennifer Bean, presented the Best Thirty Minute Film Award to actress Andrea Abshere for "Father," a drama about Lily, a fashion photographer who finds joy despite the pain of her father's death. Ms. Bean, a professor specializing in cinematic history, noted that the first films made in America were thirty minutes long, making this time category the original "feature-length" film.
• Matt McUsic, producer, writer, director of the Damah film "The Eulogist," presented the Best Fifteen Minute Film Award to writer/director Michael Cargile for "The Light of Darkness," a mystery about a solitary woman in a frightening predicament with a surprise ending.
• Sherri James, producer of the Damah film "Gabrielle," presented the Best Five Minute Film Award to Aimee Barth for "Kosher," a comedy about a six-year old in turmoil over his upcoming interfaith marriage.
• Producer Phil Cooke presented David Rubinson with an Honorable Mention Certificate for his thirty-second film, "Transition." Cooke noted that the short, short film is very difficult to create, but very influential for the viewer, as evidenced by how one-minute commercials can radically alter our buying behavior.

"We've ignited a movement," said one festival founder Patrick McGuire. "It's like people have been waiting for this sort of thing to be available. The biggest thing we've seen through Damah is the emergence of a community of filmmakers who want to create these kinds of spiritual stories."

More information and juror bios are available at www.damah.com.