2007

Juror’s Award
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
40 minutes
Director:
Dorothy Lyman

REIFF 2007

The fates of three Vermont families intertwine against the backdrop of loss, violence, and a distant war.

Juror’s Award
Documentary Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
13 minutes
Director:
Vince DiPersio

REIFF 2007

Jeff Key is a Marine - body and soul. You can tell the instant you look at him -- six feet four, square-jawed with a quiet authority that is tempered by an easy Southern drawl. Born in rural Alabama -- schooled in the Church Of Christ, Jeff is a true believer in God and in Country. Jeff Key is a Marine. Jeff Key is also Gay. This film is Jeff's story.

Juror’s Award
Experimental
Runtime:
9 minutes
Director:
Thomas Brandon

REIFF 2007

A non-linear look at the different stages of a relationship.

Juror’s Award
Documentary Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
15 minutes
Director:
Richard Kraft, Adam Shell

REIFF 2007

After the death of his older brother and challenges to his own health, a Hollywood talent agent drags his son through an obsessive quest to recapture his childhood involving Zero Gravity flights, obsessive collecting of pieces of Disneyland and on a trek around the world to discover the perfect roller coaster. Along the way both father and son discover one another and the true meaning of living life to its fulle

Juror’s Award
Documentary Short
United States
Runtime:
45 minutes
Director:
David B. Marshall

REIFF 2007

Autumn's Harvest is a film which focuses on the confluence of three factors; an historically invisible and legally subjugated migrant worker population; a shift from a predominantly American southern Black migrant population to a non-U.S. socially, culturally, and linguistically isolated workforce; and a virus, HIV/AIDS, that is relentlessly infecting and killing the working poor. Autumn's Harvest is told through the experience of an African American second generation migrant worker living with AIDS. From his life experience we will come to understand the current state of migrant health. We will see the impact HIV has on migrant workers. We will learn how HIV/AIDS may impact an industry that relies on their labor; what it means for the average American; and the impending disaster best described by Velma Smith, Director of New York's Rural Opportunities:'American farm workers longevity of life is less than any other group; add HIV to that and I think you have already killed them.'Douglas's story is inter-cut with historical footage to tell the story of the longstanding neglect of the American migrant population and how AIDS found a permanent home with America working poor.

 

Juror’s Award
Animation
United States
Runtime:
6 minutes
Director:
John Cernak

REIFF 2007

Don't Tread on Me. What 'THE MAN' wants, 'THE MAN' gets...and if you don't pay attention it will all go by in the blink of a sound bite!

Honorable Mention
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
14 minutes
Director:
Kristina Lear

REIFF 2007

Ten-year-old Kate is has confusing parents; her self-absorbed father is charming and attractive and her anxious mother is loving and controlling. One day after school, Kate is asked by a strange man to take a ride with him. Encouraged by the unknown man's kind words and easy manner as well as the excitement of doing something secret from her parents, Kate decides to make her first break from mom and dad's guidance and take a different route home.

Honorable Mention
Narrative Short
United States
Runtime:
12 minutes
Director:
America Palacios

REIFF 2007

One-Eyed Marky & the Gay Caballeros is a story about a boy with one eye and one big imagination. When his father decides that Marky is better off with two eyes, Marky is faced with the realities of social perceptions and societal pressures. With the support of his neighbor Hector, Marky learns the importance of embracing his identity in the face of a world that isn't always so embracing.

2008

Best of the Fest
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
44 minutes
Director:
Rick Bieber

REIFF 2008

Inspired by legendary guitar player Hank Garland, Crazy is a story of musical genius, passion, and betrayal. Emerging from the Nashville in the 50’s, Hank had established his brilliant playing in country, rock and jazz. But his adversarial relationship with the Nashville Mob - those who controlled the music industry - caused him to be seen as a trouble maker.

From fighting for artist’s rights, to bringing black, jazz musicians into the restricted, southern music culture, Hank refused to compromise his pursuit for excellence.However, it may have been his tempestuous relationship with his beautiful but wife, Evelyn, which led to his final demise. After surviving a car crash, Hank was subjected to electro-shock treatments which tragically ended his career at the age of 31.

Feature Film Award
Narrative Feature
United States
Runtime:
1 hour(s)
17 minutes
Director:
Adam Galassi

REIFF 2008

Fifteen years ago Raymond Colby claimed he was picked up and carried away by a giant bird, he was then committed to the Salt Creek County mental home. After fifteen years away from the small town Raymond finds himself struggling to convince his family and the local community that his "giant bird" attack was in fact real.

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