2009 FESTIVAL RECAP
12th Annual Festival: February 19-21, 2009
Location: Hollywood Premier Cinemas, with selected events at the State Theater and Restaurant Tyler
Judges: Jack Barbera, Alec Hawkings, Ania DeBicka-Dyer

AWARD-WINNING FILMS:
Best Feature: MAKE-OUT WITH VIOLENCE by Tennessee directors The Deagol Brothers
Best Short Drama: RIFLE WORKBOOK by Oregon director Vincent Caldoni
Best Feature Documentary: DESIRE by New Orleans director Julie Gustafson
Best Short Documentary: FARM TEAM by Georgia director Scott Balzer
Best Comedy: THE SHOVEL by Starkville, MS Director Stephen Lehman
Best Student Film: WHAT HAPPENED? By Columbus, MS Director April Wren
Best Home Grown: ALONE WITH THE GOLDFISH by Starkville, MS Director Brock Hanson
Best Director: YESTERDAY by Canadian director Robert Grant
Best Experimental: FAITHFUL DEPARTED by Blue Springs, MS director Daniel Lee
Elana D. Zastwinick Award for Best Written Film: LUCY JAMES PART 1 by Canadian director Alexander Carson
Ron Tibbett Award for Excellence in Film: INVISIBLE GIRLFRIEND by Texas directors Ashley Sabin and David Redmond

"I am pleased with the line-up we had to offer this year. Every film was interesting and many became personal favorites that I was excited to share with my friends. It was an honor to have so many filmmakers in attendance; it has been a joy to get to know them, and also a pleasure to work with my fellow volunteers who make this festival possible. We continue to have a great venue and the ability to offer great hospitality thanks to our sponsors. Our audience is absolutely one of the best aspects of our event. The sell-out crowds we draw are unusual for small film festivals. It is heartwarming and empowering to the filmmakers and to me to see that there is genuine interest in idependent film in our community. It has been an honor to be involved with "The Mag" for the past two years. Thank you to everyone for making this event possible."
Elaine Peterson, Festival Director