2015

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Cinequest named USA TODAY Best Film Festival

Cinequest 2015 Award Winners and Highlights

Cinequest Film Festival has been voted the Best Film Festival by USA TODAY Readers. This follows the wrap of Cinequest Film Festival (CQFF) 2015; Award Winners and Highlights included:

FUTURE OF FILM debut: Cinequest, Silicon Valley's creativity and film institute, keenly focuses on the exciting possibilities the future holds. Cinequest's unique nature and aggregate impact result from a powerful fusion of creativity, filmmaking and technological innovation-transforming our future in thrilling and provocative ways. Continuing this legacy, Future Of Film 1.0 brought a new way of making and watching films to artists and audiences and showcased the impressive work of high school and college students.

• • Barco Escape movies and experience: Cinequest audiences and artists experienced an exciting new three screen cinematic experience. Artists used the screens in profoundly different ways. Film highlights included comedy (The 9th Hole), immersive drama (Withdrawal), documentary (Burning Man) and live event (Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett in concert).

  • Cinequest's new High School Film Competition and expanded College Film Competition brought a deepening commitment to the filmmakers of tomorrow.

Maverick Spirit Award Recipients: Cinequest's most prestigious accolade, the Maverick Spirit Award recognizes bold, visionary, and creative forces-the finest in the worlds of Silicon Valley innovation and the film arts. This year's recipients:

• • John Boorman

  • Rosario Dawson

  • Dennis Lehane

  • Mike Medavoy

  • Lawrence Kasdan

Past Maverick Spirit guest recipients include Harrison Ford, Neil Gaiman, J.J. Abrams, Kevin Spacey, William H. Macy, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sir Ian McKellen, Edward James Olmos, Alec Baldwin and Sir Ben Kingsley. For clips of previous Award winners' comments, please visit Cinequest's Maverick Voices video.

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Media Legacy Award Recipients: Spotlighting writers who discover and follow cinematic art and innovation, Cinequest's Media Legacy Award recognizes the pivotal role journalists play in connecting audiences to films and technologies, providing insight into artists, technologists, and the collaborative nature of both disciplines. This year's recipients:

• • Anne Thompson

  • Richard von Busack

Previous Media Legacy Award recipients include: Eric Kohn of Indiewire, Harry Knowles, founder ofAin't It Cool News, and Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times. Please watch Cinequest's Media Legacy video.

Film Premieres and Cinequest Award Winners: Ninety-one (91) World, North American and U.S. Premieres from 50 countries unveiled in the palatial California Theatre and state-of-the-art festival venues including opening night sensation Batkid Begins and closing night enchanter 5 to 7 starring Anton Yelchin (Star Trek). The following films won Jury and Audience awards:

• • Best Feature Narrative, Drama: CORN ISLAND Director: George Ovashvili

  • Best Feature Narrative, Comedy: THE ANNIVERSARY Director: Valerie Buhagiar

  • Best Documentary Feature Film: ASPIE SEEKS LOVE Director: Julie Sokolow

  • Audience Award, Narrative Feature: TRACES OF SANDALWOOD Director: Maria Ripoll

  • Audience Award, Documentary Feature: BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD Director: Dana Nachman

  • Kaiser Thrive Award: CRESCENDO! THE POWER OF MUSIC Director: Jamie Bernstein

  • New Vision Award: ASTRAEA Director: Kristjan Thor

  • Global Vision Award: APPLES FROM THE DESERT Directors: Arik Lubetzky and Matti Harari

  • Best Narrative Short Film: SLAP Director: Nick Rowland

  • Best Animated Short Film: GERMAN SHEPHERD Director: Nils Bergendal

  • Best Documentary Short Film: LUCHADORA Director: River Finlay

  • Best College Short Film: RATTLEFLY Director: Min Ding

  • Best High School Short Film: GUMBALL Directors: Kris Theorin and Kurtis Theorin

Cinequest Screenplay Competition Award Winners:

FEATURES

• • Sainte Chloe by Stacie Shellner (1st Place)

  • Hooked by Allen Wolf (2nd)

  • Art Brut by Michael Immerman and Benjamin The Great by Scott Ruane (Tied 3rd)

SHORTS

• • The Yard by Eugenie Carabatsos (1st Place)

  • Rocketship by Alfred Thomas Catalfo (2nd)

  • Storm Fear by Eli Edelson (3rd)

TELEPLAYS

• • Awareness by Sean Corrigan (1st Place)

  • Corner King by Mono Ghose (2nd)

  • Frat Lines by Jay Gormley (3rd)

Cinequest Film Festival 2016 occurs February 23 - March 6 in the Silicon Valley.

CQFF Partners: Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT), City of San Jose, Barco, Kaiser Permanente, Knight Foundation, Harmonic (NYSE: HLIT), Synaptics (NYSE: SYNA), Quantum (NYSE: QUAN), National Association of Broadcasters of America, Canon (CAJ), Yellow Pages, Panasonic, Hint Water, NBC Bay Area, Metro, KGO 810, KFOG 97.7, Cisco (NYSE: CSCO), Dolby (NYSE: DLB), Stella Artois (NYSE: AHBIF), Tito's Handmade Vodka, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE), eBay Foundation (NYSE: EBAY), Macy's (NYSE: M), The Fairmont San Jose (NYSE: FHR), Seagate (NYSE: STX), VTA, and Agile Ticketing Solutions.

Picture The Possibilities Partners: Kaiser Permanente, The Hearst Foundations, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Capital Group, Hewlett Packard Workstations (NYSE: HPQ), Brett Company, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), Liquid Agency, Seagate (NYSE: STX), Litepanels, Cisco (NYSC: CSCO), AudioTechnica, Media Center, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE), Eddie Lira, GlideCam, CreaTV, Rhino Camera Gear, Manfrotto, Red Giant (NYSE: REDG)

CINEQUEST is a vanguard organization that fuses creativity with technological innovation to empower, improve, and transform the lives of people and communities worldwide, through Picture the Possibilities, Cinequest Film Festival and Cinequest Mavericks Studio.

• • Picture The Possibilities by Cinequest empowers global youth with the tools, confidence and inspiration to form and create their dreams from art to science--regardless of their situation and challenges. Picture It. Create It.

  • Cinequest Film Festival-Silicon Valley showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology-empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences.

  • Cinequest Mavericks Studio creates innovative and transformative motion pictures, television and distribution paradigms.

CQFF26 occurs Feb. 23 - Mar. 6, 2016

www.cinequest.org

The 25th anniversary Cinequest Film Festival - Silicon Valley, will present 91 World and U.S. film premieres, a stellar lineup of film artists and technology innovators, Maverick Spirit Award events with renowned actor Rosario Dawson and directing legend John Boorman, plus a new Future of Film Showcase. Cinequest Film Festival 25 (CQFF25) occurs February 24 - March 8th, 2015. Highlights will include:

Opening Night Screening and Celebration: February 24, 7:15 p.m., California Theatre: Cinequest Film Festival begins its 25th anniversary celebration with an electric combination of standout cinema and first-rate guests. CQFF25 opens at the majestic California Theatre, with Batkid Begins , director Dana Nachman's powerful documentary, chronicling the amazing response to a young cancer patient's desire to be the super hero for just one day, who "saves" San Francisco. Nachman's stirring film details the undaunted spirit of Batkid Miles Scott, as the City by the Bay rallies around his "quest," and captures the astounding social media reaction to Miles's wish that exploded around the world. Post-screening festivities and fun will take place at the Farmers Union.

Closing Night Screening and Celebration: March 8, 6 p.m., California Theatre: Cinequest 25 concludes its anniversary celebration with a rousing evening of cinematic delight, followed by a typically CQFF blow-out bash. Join writer/director Victor Levin (Mad Men) and star Anton Yelchin (Star Trek) for a screening of the enchanting romantic comedy, 5 To 7, a refreshingly daring and superbly crafted tale, featuring performances by Yelchin and ex-Bond girl Bérénice Marlohe (Skyfall). The brilliant supporting cast includes Olivia Thirlby (Juno), Eric Stoltz (Caprica), and screen legends Glenn Close (Damages ) and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon). Immediately following the screening, a rollicking farewell to CQFF25 and eager anticipation of next year's fest will occur at the Glass House.

Maverick Spirit Award Events: Cinequest's most prestigious accolade, the Maverick Spirit Award recognizes bold, visionary, and creative forces-the finest in the worlds of Silicon Valley innovation and the film arts. This year's recipients are actor Rosario Dawson and director John Boorman.

John Boorman Presents Queen and Country February 26, 7:30p.m., California Theatre: Legendary Director Boorman (Deliverance, Hope and Glory, Zardoz, Excalibur, Where the Heart Lies) showcases his latest masterpiece Queen and Country at CQFF25.

An Evening With Rosario Dawson February 28, 7:30p.m., California Theatre: Screen sensation (Top Five, Sin City, He Got Game, Kids), singer, comic book creator, philanthropist, social activist, the multi-talented Rosario Dawson is a creative force as well as a dynamic advocate for social justice. A not-to-be-missed conversation with Ms. Dawson, moderated by Jennifer Siebel Newsom (MissRepresentation), will follow the Maverick Spirit Award presentation.

Past Maverick Spirit guest recipients include Harrison Ford, Neil Gaiman, J.J. Abrams, Kevin Spacey, William H. Macy, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Sir Ian McKellen, Edward James Olmos, Alec Baldwin and Sir Ben Kingsley. For clips of previous Award winners' comments, please visit Cinequest's Maverick Voices video.

"I think the most important thing about Cinequest is it's definitely the first time I've ever come to a festival where my immediate reaction is, 'What do I have to do to be invited back?' and that's not normally my reaction. It's a perfect film festival in a glorious place." - Neil Gaiman, Maverick Spirit Award Winner

Media Legacy Award Events: Spotlighting writers who discover and follow cinematic art and innovation, Cinequest's Media Legacy Award recognizes the pivotal role journalists play in connecting audiences to films and technologies, providing insight into artists, technologists, and the collaborative nature of both disciplines. CQFF25 recipients are Anne Thompson and Richard von Busack.

Wild Tales with Anne Thompson February 28, 7:30p.m., California Theatre: Join Anne Thompson for the award presentation and spirited conversation following a screening of the international sensation-and a Thompson favorite-Wild Tales. Six short narratives of wreaked vengeance, with both hilarious and catastrophic results, offer one of the most riotous cinematic rides you'll ever encounter. A journalism trailblazer and global tastemaker for films and artists, Ms. Thompson's sterling career includes highly regarded articles for leading publications such as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, Wired, Variety , LA Weekly, Premiere, Film Comment, and IndieWire.

L'Atalante with Richard von Busack. March 3, 7:30p.m., Camera 12 Cinemas: Revered by Bertolucci and Godard, Jean Vigo was a cinematic genius-L'Atalante his masterpiece. Join Media Legacy Award winner Richard von Busack for a post-screening conversation and award presentation. "The story is fairy-tale simple, yet told with implications that are absolutely modern...a romance set against the iron and smoke of an industrial corridor, on the banks of a canal.... Jean, the newly married barge captain, takes his bride Juliette aboard L'Atalante to join the rest of the crew.... At first, the voyage is as happy as can be...[but] as the barge approaches Paris, Juliette begins to be bored, and..." (Richard von Busack, Metro Newspapers)

Previous Media Legacy Award recipients include: Eric Kohn of Indiewire, Harry Knowles, founder of Ain't It Cool News, and Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times. Please watch Cinequest's Media Legacy video.

Picture The Possibilities Summit February 28, 3:00p.m., California Theatre: Picture The Possibilities (PTP) by Cinequest empowers global youth with the inspiration, tools, and confidence to form and realize personal dreams/visions-from art to science-regardless of whatever difficult situations and challenges they may have in their lives. This year at PTP Summit Silicon Valley, youth from around the world connect with luminaries to share their creations and empower each other and positively affect the future. The PTP Summit celebrates and fosters the creative force of science, technology, and art. PTP youth and industry notables picture possibilities then set about together to create and bring them to reality. Panelist/presenters include: Frederik G. Pferdt, Head of Innovation Programs at Google; Tania Anaissie of Stanford's d.school; and Ellen McGirt, Senior Writer at Fast Company. Please enjoy Picture The Possibilities Summit video

Premieres, Countries, and Star Performances: Ninety-one (91) World, North American and U.S. Premieres from 50 countries include performances by:

Chloë Grace Moretz (Kickass), Juliette Binoche (The English Patient), and Kristen Stewart (Twilight) in Clouds of Sils Maria by director Oliver Assayas (Irma Vep, Paris, je t'aime)

Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead), Alice Braga (Elysium), Luke Hemsworth (Neighbours) in Kill Me Three Times

Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) and Fabrice Luchini (Potiche) in Gemma Bovery by director: Anne Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel)

Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In, ParaNorman) and Michael Fassbender (X-Men: Days of Future Past, Shame) in Slow West

Heavyweight legends Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Bernard Hopkins; Mark Wahlberg (Ted, Boogie Nights), Denzel Washington (American Gangster, Flight), Ron Howard (Rush, Apollo 13), Spike Lee (Do The Right Thing, Inside Man), Mary J. Blige (music artist), and 50 Cent (music artist) in Champs

Bérénice Marlohe (Skyfall), Anton Yelchin, (Star Trek), Olivia Thirlby (Juno), Glenn Close (Damages), Eric Stoltz (Caprica), and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon) in 5 to 7 by director Victor Levin (Mad Men)

Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) - Executive Producer for The Center

Jack O'Connell (Unbroken), Sam Reid (Astronaut Wives Club), Charlie Murphy (Philomena) in '71 by director Yann Demange (Secret Diary of a Call Girl)

Charlotte Gainsburg (Nymphomaniac) and Chiara Mastroianni (Augustine) in Three Hearts

Nandita Das (Earth, Fire) and Aina Clotet (The Wild Ones) in Traces of Sandalwood

Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) in The Anniversary

Joseph Morgan (The Originals), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Kate Walsh (Grey's Anatomy), and Walton Goggins (Justified) in Dermaphoria

Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Eklund (Bates Motel), Christopher Heyerdahl (Hell on Wheels, True Blood), and Torrance Coombs (Reign) in Eadweard

Hannah Simone (New Girl), stand-up comedian Kosha Patel, and Tiya Sricar (The Internship) in Miss India America by directorial debut of actor Ravi Kapoor (Crossing Jordan, Heroes)

Martha MacIsaac (Superbad, 1600 Penn), Jodi Balfour (The Best Laid Plans), Jordan Hayes (What If), Alex Ashbaugh (The Canyons), Brandon Jay McLaren (Graceland), and Max Topplin (Suits) in Milwaukee

Janeane Garofalo (The Truth About Cats and Dogs) in The Assistant (short)

New Cinequest Future Of Film Showcase. Cinequest, Silicon Valley's creativity and film institute, now 25 years strong, keenly focuses on the exciting possibilities the future holds. Cinequest's unique nature and aggregate impact result from a powerful fusion of creativity, filmmaking and technological innovation-transforming our future in thrilling and provocative ways. To celebrate this legacy, Cinequest announces a breathtaking new Future of Film showcase. Future of Film includes:

Barco Escape movies and experience : Technology has always facilitated the film arts, from Edison's first moving picture cameras, to contemporary, digitally captured and internet-delivered cinema. Barco Escape technologies bring a thrilling new cinematic experience to audiences and a dramatic opportunity to film artists. Utilizing three screens of images and sound, Barco Escape immerses audiences in a virtually flowing stream, fostering a profoundly deeper engagement, visually, aurally, and emotionally. Experience this exciting new innovation at Cinequest 25. Programming includes a just-like-being-there Lady Gaga, in concert with Tony Bennett, as well as Cinequest filmmaker-produced shorts.

Cinequest is committed to building the world's largest festival exhibition of student films. Engage with Stage One, the debut of CQFF25's High School and College Film Competitions. Experience the voice and vision of tomorrow, with films that are moving and entertaining, prefacing a bright future for both filmmakers and audiences.

Meet The Luminaries Forums: moderated conversations with visionary pros in the realms of media technology, including producing, film finance connections with emerging artists and more. Line-up announced February 14th at www.cinequest.org

CINEQUEST is a vanguard organization that fuses creativity with technological innovation to empower, improve, and transform the lives of people and communities worldwide, through Picture the Possibilities, Cinequest Film Festival and Cinequest Mavericks Studio.

Picture The Possibilities by Cinequest empowers global youth with the tools, confidence and inspiration to form and create their dreams from art to science--regardless of their situation and challenges. Picture It. Create It.

Cinequest Film Festival-Silicon Valley showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology-empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences.

Cinequest Mavericks Studio creates innovative and transformative motion pictures, television and distribution paradigms.

Cinequest Film Festival 25 occurs February 24 - March 8, 2015

www.cinequest.org

CQFF Partners: Applied Materials (NYSE: AMAT), City of San Jose, Barco, Kaiser Permanente, Knight Foundation, Harmonic (NYSE: HLIT), Synaptics (NYSE: SYNA), Quantum (NYSE: QUAN), National Association of Broadcasters of America, Canon (CAJ), Yellow Pages, Panasonic, Hint Water, NBC Bay Area, Metro, KGO 810, KFOG 97.7, Cisco (NYSE: CSCO), Dolby (NYSE: DLB), Stella Artois (NYSE: AHBIF), Tito's Handmade Vodka, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE), eBay Foundation (NYSE: EBAY), Macy's (NYSE: M), The Fairmont San Jose (NYSE: FHR), Seagate (NYSE: STX), VTA, and Agile Ticketing Solutions. Picture The Possibilities Partners: Kaiser Permanente, The Hearst Foundations, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Capital Group, Hewlett Packard Workstations (NYSE: HPQ), Brett Company, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), Liquid Agency, Seagate (NYSE: STX), Litepanels, Cisco (NYSC: CSCO), AudioTechnica, Media Center, Adobe (NYSE: ADBE), Eddie Lira, GlideCam, CreaTV, Rhino Camera Gear, Manfrotto, Red Giant (NYSE: REDG)

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CINEQUEST is a vanguard organization that fuses creativity with technological innovation to empower, improve, and transform the lives of people and communities worldwide, through Picture the Possibilities, Cinequest Film Festival and Cinequest Mavericks Studio.

Picture The Possibilities by Cinequest empowers global youth with the tools, confidence and inspiration to form and create their dreams from art to science--regardless of their situation and challenges. Picture It. Create It.

Cinequest Film Festival-Silicon Valley showcases premier films, renowned and emerging artists, and breakthrough technology-empowering global connectivity between creators, innovators and audiences.

Cinequest Mavericks Studio creates innovative and transformative motion pictures, television and distribution paradigms.

CQFF25 occurs Feb. 24 - Mar. 8, 2015

www.cinequest.org

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

A DANA NACHMAN FILM

*WORLD PREMIERE 2015 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - PARK CITY UTAH

KTF FILMS PRESENTS

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD - A DANA NACHMAN FILM

One child. One wish. Millions touched. Who would have thought a 5-year-old boy who fought leukemia would transform a city and a nation for a day? No one. Not his family. Not his friends. Not the thousands of volunteers who came from near and far to help make his wish come true. But it did.

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD takes us back to November 15th, 2013, the day San Francisco turned into Gotham City, and the day the internet was nice. More than a billion people took to social media to cheer on Bat Kid, even President Obama! In all, the #SfBatKid and #BatKid hashtags reached more than 1.84 Billion people on Twitter and Instagram. This wish and this little caped crusader resonated with so many people, including us, and we wanted to find out why.