Orlando Hispanic Film Festival finishes strong in a weak economy.

Oct. 16, 2008 - PRLog -- A group of leaders from the Central Florida community showed their support at the red carpet event on Friday Oct. 10 2008. Assistant Michael Richards delivered Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez’ message, kicking off the Festival during the Hispanic Heritage month. Commissioner Tony Ortiz congratulated and encouraged events such as the OHFF which summits and celebrates Hispanic talent in the world of film. Casa de Mexico's Executive Director Blanquita Trabold recognized the importance and work of the OHFF as she shared her support and enthusiasm with the community followed by the opening message from OHFF Founder & Executive Director James Schoepflin.

“I was very impressed with the Festival's leadership and organization. This was
just their second year and it already looks and feels like one that has been around for decades”. – Fernando Beltran, filmmaker

OHFF rolled out the red carpet (140’ of it) for “Vicious Circle” the premiere independent film and over 25 local and international filmmakers this year.  Cast and crew walked the OHFF red carpet sponsored by new national media sponsor FuelTV.

A group of leaders from the Central Florida community showed their support at the red carpet event on Friday Oct. 10 2008. Assistant Michael Richards delivered Orange County Commissioner Mildred Fernandez’ message, kicking off the Festival during the Hispanic Heritage month. Commissioner Tony Ortiz congratulated and encouraged events such as the OHFF which summits and celebrates Hispanic talent in the world of film. Casa de Mexico's Executive Director Blanquita Trabold recognized the importance and work of the OHFF as she shared her support and enthusiasm with the community followed by the opening message from OHFF Founder & Executive Director James Schoepflin.

Awards night delivered 12 awards, 4 special jury awards and over 10 honorable mentions. Below are the winners of each:

SCREENPLAY
2008 Best Screenplay – Agustina - Screenwriter –  Robert Thompsett
2008 Honorable Mention – Roslin Effect - Screenwriter –  Jordan Scott
2008 Honorable Mention – Cuba La Diva - Screenwriter – Andre Gaumond & Ernesto Leyva

ANIMATION
2008 Best Animation - The Cock & Bull Story - Director Ari Carrillo
2008 Honorable Mention – Pegate al Evangelio – Director Jorge Orozco
2008 Honorable Mention – Belanova 1, 2, 3 – Director Rafael Collao

SCORE
2008 Best Score - Solidarity in Art - Director Rohan Tully

CINEMATOGRAPHY
2008 Best Cinematography – Premature - Cinematographer Daniel Patterson

ENSEMBLE CAST
2008 Best Ensemble Cast - Looking for Palladin - Director Andrzej Krakowski

ACTOR MALE
2008 Best Actor Male – Sandman’s Box - Actor Male - Rene Rosado - Director – Gilberto Flores

ACTOR FEMALE
2008 Best Actor Female – One Last Tango - Actor Female - Selena Hoyos - Director Ricardo Obregon & Patricia Sierra

DIRECTOR
2008 Best Director – The Appearance of a Man - Director Daniel Pace

SHORT DOCUMENTARY
2008 Best Short Documentary – Posada - Director Mark McGregor
2008 Special Jury Award – Blondes are Latin Too - Director Jezabel Montero
2008 Honorable Mention – Building Bridges - Director Andrew Soltys
2008 Honorable Mention – Sipping Black Water - Director Garrett Russell

SHORT FILM
2008 Best Short Film – Premature - Director – Rashaad Ernesto Green
2008 Special Jury Award – Terminal - Director Fernando Beltran & Puga
2008 Honorable Mention – Gatillero - Director Jesus Alarcon
2008 Honorable Mention – The Gift Wrapper - Director Daniela De Carlo

DOCUMENTARY FILM
2008 Best Documentary - La Americana - Director Nicholas Bruckman, Co-Director John Mattiuzzi
2008 Special Jury Award – Quirino Cristiani: The Mystery of the First Animated Movie - Director Gabriele Zuccheli
2008 Honorable Mention – How to Cross a Border - Director Tim Parsa
2008 Honorable Mention – The Longing: The Forgotten Jews of South America - Director Gabriela Bohm

FEATURE FILM
2008 Best Feature Film - Looking for Palladin - Director Andrzej Krakowski
2008 Special Jury Award – The Appearance of a Man - Director Daniel Pace
2008 Honorable Mention – El Cuarto - Director Gustavo Torres Gil
2008 Honorable Mention – Vicious Circle - Director Paul Boyd

The OHFF Educational Reach Program does not just take place at the Orlando Public Library System. During the OHFF each year we like to support great causes like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Hispanic Heritage Fund of Metro Orlando (HHFMO) by educating our guests and the general public about what they do. By selling OHFF gift packs the OHFF was able to raise funds to support research efforts of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. OHFF also used its advertising campaign to highlight awareness for the Hispanic Heritage Fund of Metro Orlando. HHFMO gala will take place this October 25, 2008.

Media contact:
Ana Curras:
ana@ohfilmfestival.com
238 Wilshire Blvd, Ste. 141
Casselberry, FL 32707
(321) 274-1570