One of the benefits of having a little downtime between projects is that it gives one the opportunity to go back into one’s body of work and dig up an old gem or two. Here’s a project that goes back a while - it was one of the films that won director Paul DeNigris the “Arizona Filmmaker of the Year” award at the Phoenix Film Festival in 2007 - “The Long Shot.” At 19 minutes, the film is a bit too long to have been posted on any video sites until recently. But here it is, in all of its HD glory, courtesy of Vimeo!

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The 2007 Phoenix Film Festival came to a close last night after 8 days of screenings, parties, networking, and awards. Our 2 shorts “The Long Shot” and “Stabbing Stupidity” each screened one more time, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Not great times (9:20 pm both nights), but there was a really strong crowd for each film nevertheless. Once again, both films got a great reception, lots of laughs, and good feedback afterwards.

All in all, this was the best Phoenix Film Festival yet - both generally and personally. Getting that Copper Wing on Sunday was a career highlight. Now the rest of 2007 is going to have to be about building from that success and gathering the funding and momentum for another feature film. Stay tuned right here for all the developments - and thanks for your continued support!

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Last night at the Phoenix Film Festival’s Copper Wing Awards, I took home the trophy for Arizona Filmmaker of the Year! I am so overwhelmed at this point… this is something I have wanted since The Falls was an official selection at the Festival in 2004.

Thanks so much to all of you who helped me get here. I could not have done it without you!

The awards ceremony was held after a sold-out screening of Arizona Shorts Program B - featuring our film “Stabbing Stupidity.” Great audience, lots of laughs, and once again, great feedback afterwards. We also had a morning screening of “The Long Shot” which went well despite the early hour.

Awards, Film Festivals, Films, Phoenix Film Festival, Stabbing Stupidity, The Long Shot | 2 Comments »

Yesterday’s screening of “The Long Shot” at the Phoenix Film Festival was an enormous success! The film closed out the “Arizona Shorts A” program, playing to a near packed house. Audience reaction was enthusiastic and even some of the more esoteric humor got laughs. (Hooray for smart moviegoers!) I got great feedback afterwards and this morning as well. General consensus is that the 19-minute film is entertaining throughout, and most people are totally surprised when I tell them it is 100% student work (with the exception of my writing and directing, of course).

This morning, “Stabbing Stupidity” played as part of “Arizona Shorts B” at a 9:10 am screening. The theatre was about half full, not bad for such an early show. (Figure most of the Festival die-hards were partying into the wee hours last night.) I expect the Sunday screening to be significantly better-attended.  But those hardcore early risers who did see the film really enjoyed it - lots of laughs, and again lots of great feedback afterwards.

Now, don’t forget - if you have missed our first two screenings at the Phoenix Film Festival, there are 2 more of each film coming up!

“The Long Shot” Arizona Shorts Program A - Sunday April 15 @ 9:00 am; Tuesday April 17 @ 9:20 pm (more info)

“Stabbing Stupidity” Arizona Shorts Program B - Sunday April 15 @ 4:45 pm; Wednesday April 18 @ 9:20 pm (more info)

Hope to see you there!

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Here’s the interview I shot yesterday about the Phoenix Film Festival and my films. Interviewer Yetta Gibson says I have four films in the festival - which is sort of true if you count the 2 I directed (“The Long Shot” and “Stabbing Stupidity”) and the 2 films made by my students at UAT (”Pirate Booty” and “Peephole”).

Film Festivals, Films, In The Media, Phoenix Film Festival, Stabbing Stupidity, The Long Shot, Videos | 2 Comments »