The American Riviera Award was established to recognize actors who have made a significant contribution to American cinema. TEEN PRESS Team 53 reporters XIMENA & ELSIE were on the red carpet to interview the honoree, ZOE SALDAÑA, and filmmakers from here and abroad! 

In the Teen Press's first interaction with the filmmakers from "Paddle Out", reporters ELSIE & XIMENA find out a bit about the amazing story of MELISSA PAPPAGEORGAS, who defied cystic fibrosis--for a time--by surfing. Director SEBI LEE spoke of a friendship that turned into a film, and Melissa's mother, LORI PAPPAGEORGAS talked about some of what her daughter wanted people to learn from her story. (See our in-depth interviews with Sebi and Melissa's husband, Joey, as well as a review of the film in the Reviews section of our website.)

Technical difficulties prevent us from hearing the introduction and beginnings of ELSIE & XIMENA’s first question to "The Bitter Pill" Producer TIM GRANT’s answer. Later, when asked about the process, Tim responded “I’m learning through research, but also through observation, which is exciting, but it’s also scary…” They did a fun re-do on the intro at the conclusion of the interview.

When reporters XIMENA & ELSIE asked the Director MAJA NOVAKOVIC about what teens might take away from her film "At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking”, Maja remarked that “…after the French premiere that broke my expectations…I’m not sure.” But Executive Producer SKYE FITZGERALD interjected that he thought that it was “…one of the most beautiful films playing at the festival.”

An interesting response from Director ADAM MARTINEC of the film "Our Lovely Pig Slaughter”, in response to one of reporters ELSIE & XIMENA’s questions was “Don’t be harsh on animals, take care of each other, and love your family, even though they might upset you sometimes.”

Team 53 reporters XIMENA & ELSIE got the filmmakers of “How Kids Roll” to make some thoughtful answers to questions about their project. “One of the things that I learned from making this film was that you have to sort of be like water…” said Executive Producer and Co-Writer DAHLIA HEYMAN about the film, made with Director and Co-Writer LORIS LAI.