THE 2008 VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARDS

The Eighth annual Valley Film Festival announced the winners of its competition and audience choice categories Sunday night at the El Portal Theatre, NoHo Arts District.

This year's Festival included 10 features, including 3 documentaries, and 26 short films.

The "Ten Degrees Hotter" competition winners were chosen from 7 narrative and 3 documentary features, and 8 short films. The award is named after the temperature difference in "The Valley", from Los Angeles, and the judges are festival alumni. The 2008 judges include: Cindy Baer (2006, Morbid Curiosity) Patrick Brennan (2005, Straight Flush) Jim Cash (2007, Gunplay) Bill Cody (2006, Two Headed Cow) Rahul Das (2006, India Spiceland) Mike Kimmel (2006, Being Steven Spielberg) Michael Le Blanc (2007, Rules of Engagement) Kari Nissena (2006, Silver Patriot) Dennis Przywara (2001, Starwoids) Adam White (2005, Chopping Block). The Audience Award winners were chosen from 18 short films. 

Screenings of all winning films will take place throughout the year as part of The Valley Film Festival's monthly Focus On series. Specific times and venue information will be available on the Festival website, www.valleyfilmfest.com

Following are the awards and their winners:

• Ten Degrees Hotter Award for Best Narrative Feature - "Route 30" directed by John Putch.

• Ten Degrees Hotter Award for Best Documentary Feature - "Blocking the Path to 9/11" directed by John Ziegler

• Ten Degrees Hotter Award for Best Short Film - "The Warden" directed by Ryan Patrick Finn.

•  Audience Award: Best Short Film (Comedy) - "Lady Bait" directed by Jesse Colver and Erik Argenti

• Audience Award: Best Short Film (Drama) - "The Vaudevillian" directed by Bryan Nest

• Audience Award: Best Short Film (Made in the 818) - "The Birthday Gift" directed by Marie Tang

• Audience Award: Best Short Film (Thriller) - "Everyday Joe" directed by Shane Cole.

The five-day event took place September 24-28, 2008, at the historic El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District.  Highlights included the L.A. Premiers of "Live Evil" directed by Jay Woelfel, "So Long Jimmy" directed by Bradley Ragland, "Pretty Ugly People" directed by Tate Taylor, and "Welcome to Pornoland" directed by Greg Salman and Brad Brough.

Additionally, the Festival launched its first Filmmaker Forum, giving attendees the opportunity to meet San Fernando Valley based vendors with products and services available for all their independent filmmaking needs. Participants included: EVS - Express Video Supply, FotoKem, L.A. Grip, Sammy Sound Inc. and Video Symphony.

Screening introductions and Q&A moderators included Rodney Lee Conover , Gil Baron, La Coacha, Debbie Lockhart, and Sal Rodriguez.