THE RON TIBBETT AWARD

A Sense of Place
Produced and Directed
by Rick Smith and Kim Miller
Cambria, California

Patrick Smith, a Mississippi native, narrates a journey into the extraordinary mind of a writer whose books focus on preserving the land that Florida once was.
Feature Documentary (56 minutes)

 

 

BEST FEATURE FILM

Ocean Front Property
Written, Produced and Directed by Joe Scott
Dallas, Texas

Rick Noonson travels to a beach house with his best friend and his psychiatrist wife to get over being dumped at the altar. But when his ex-finacee shows up with her new husband, the vacation becomes a hilarious and emotional personal journey that will change their lives forever. Best Feature Film - Magnolia Independent Film Festival. Adult language.
Feature (105 minutes)

 

BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

Plaques and Pleasure of the Salton Sea
Produced by Chris Metzler and
Directed by Chris Metzler and Jeff Springer.
San Francisco, California

There was a time when the Salton Sea, tucked into the southeast corner of California was known as the Riviera of the West - a haven for jetsetters and vacationers. Originally created by accident, it's now one of the country's worst ecological disasters: a fetid, stagnant, salty lake coughing up dead fish and birds by the thousands. Still, a hardy few have hung on, hoping for help to come and restore the lake to its former glory. Before his death, Congressman Sonny Bono was once dedicated to saving the lake. Eccentrics abound in this surreal landscape. Hair-raising and hilarious, part history lesson, part cautionary tale and part portrait of one of the strangest communities you've ever seen.
This is the American Dream gone as stinky as a dead carp. Best Writing - Bend Film Festival; Best Documentary - Big Bear Lake International Film Festival; Grand Jury Prize - Berkley Film & Video Festival and Robert Altman Award. Adult language.
Feature Documentary (65 minutes)

 

BEST SHORT

Broken Silence
Written and Produced by Yvetta Williams and
Directed by Yvetta Williams and Scott Colwell
Jackson, Mississippi

Guy and Shellie find themselves enmeshed in a night nightmare as their once-beautiful life unravels. Only the strong will survive as the silence is broken and the truth comes out. Adult content.
Short (30 minutes)

 

BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY

In Whose Name
Written, Produced and Directed by Nandini Sikand
New York, New York

"In Whose Name" is a filmic essay which explores the co-opting of icons by political agendas. This experimental short is told through personal narrative, Super 8mm home movies, Bollywood film and comic book art.
Short (11minutes)

 

BEST EXPERIMENTAL

One Balloon
Written, Directed and
Produced By Aruna Naimji & Aram Hekiniam
New York, New York

One Balloon is surreal tale about Man and Woman, which explores themes of identity, duality and biological change. This film seeks to wake viewers from the illusion we call life by presenting a dream for the collective subconscious. One Balloon is a barometer for the imagination. Ron Tibbett Award, Magnolia Film Festival. Experimental (24 minutes)

 

BEST STUDENT FILM

Tuesday
Written and Produced by Joel Fendlman and Liz Miller. Directed by Joel Fendelman
Brooklyn, New York

15 year old girl's struggle with the solitude of an abortion clinic waiting room. Best Director's Award - Magnolia Film Festival.
Student (6 minutes)

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2004 WINNERS!

Want to see who won in 2004, the first year of the festival? Click here!