Award Winning Films, Hollywood Talent and Unprecedented Crowds Mark New Heights for Gasparilla International Film Festival

Award Winning Films, Hollywood Talent and Unprecedented Crowds Mark New Heights for Gasparilla International Film Festival

Kassim the Dream Was the Festival's Grand Jury Winner

TAMPA, Fla., March 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Gasparilla International Film Festival closed the curtain on a successful 2009 festival with a packed closing night party at the Tampa Firefighters' Museum. The film festival announced its award winners, celebrated the record number of sold out shows and huge array of film talent that defined 2009. Outgoing president, Eric Odum, saluted the Hollywood stars, including Armand Assante, Terry Moore, Ann Jeffries, Rod Lurie, Marc Friedman, Brian Goodman and Megan Brown, as well as hometown guests Lou Maggio, Ron Satlof, Philippe Martinez, Joe Redner and Russ Cozart. Kassim The Dream picked up the night's biggest honor, The Grand Jury Best of the Fest Award. "Kassim The Dream makes fantastic use of a rich color palette, slow motion and beautifully shot scenes which draws in the viewer and creates a powerfully moving and deeply affecting documentary," says Mike Cerda, Festival Head Juror from Filmlot Magazine.

   The entire list of awards includes:    Young Filmmaker Grand Jury-        Zona Rossa by Gina Papabeis   Audience Best Short Narrative-     Gisela's Closet by Ben Rosa   Best Short Documentary-            Improv Island by Tod Wiseman, Jr.   Best Florida Production -          Ghost of Ybor - Charlie Wall by Pete   (sponsored by Hill Ward Henderson)  and Paul Guzzo   Special Mention Cinema Award-      Clear Lake, WI by Morgan Simpson and                                       Charlie Poe   Special Mention Cinema Award-      Misconceptions by Ron Satlof   Special Mention Male-              Mark Ruffalo in What Doesn't Kill You   Special Mention Female-            Laura Harring in Drool   Audience Best Narrative-           What Doesn't Kill You by Brian Goodman   Audience Best Documentary-         Truth in 24 by Keith Cossrow   (sponsored by RAV)   Special Mention Grand Jury-        Amal by Richie Mehta   Grand Jury-                        Kassim the Dream by Kief Davidson   (sponsored by Elan Event Studio)     About the Gasparilla International Film Festival:  

The Gasparilla International Film Festival is operated by the Tampa Film Institute, a 501c3 organization dedicated to advancing film education and community involvement in film in the Tampa Bay area. The film festival made its debut in 2007; and through the work of an army of dedicated volunteers, with only one part-time paid staffer, has become one of Florida's largest independent film festivals. To learn more about the festival, visit www.gasparillafilmfestival.com or call 813-514-9962.

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Source: Gasparilla International Film Festival

CONTACT: Keisha Pickett, +1-813-903-9247, Keisha@pickettpr.com

Web Site: http://www.gasparillafilmfestival.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment