And the award goes to . . .

Young Chang

NEWPORT BEACH -- Beverly Crowe still had “One Eyed King” fresh in her

mind Friday as she sipped drinks and munched on gourmet appetizers at the

Newport Beach Film Festival’s awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel.

She was thrilled with Thursday’s screening of the film, which stars

William Baldwin, Armand Assante and a handful of other big names. Filmed

on virtually no budget and quickly, it makes you wonder what Hollywood is

doing when you see such a screen gem done without the frills and the

bucks, the film patron said.

A tentful of fellow film lovers buzzed similarly about their

experience during the past nine days of screenings, seminars and parties

at the closing gala.

Filmmakers, sponsors and festival staff members milled about a huge

and glamorous tent bordered on almost every side with food and drinks.

Festival volunteers who had spent the past week frenzied and running

around put their hair up and slipped into formal dresses and suits.

Everyone celebrated the end of the third annual festival and honored

the features and shorts that moved their viewers most.

“Ti Voglio Bene, Eugenio,” an Italian film based on a true story about

overcoming adversities, beat out more than 70 other features and took the

best picture award.

“I feel this film is a wonderful selection of what is currently

available in independent and art film releases,” said Gregg Schwenk,

executive director of the festival.

“Eugenio” also won in the category of best actor for Giancarlo

Giannini’s portrayal of a disabled bachelor who inspires a coma patient.

“The Bank,” a festival opener, also proved a big winner Friday as it

won for best director (Robert Connolly) and best screenplay, also

Connolly.

“Nynke” won twice -- for best cinematography (Paul Van Den Bos) and

best actress (Monique Hendrickx).

“Dogtown and Z-Boys” won for best documentary.

“The jury was faced with a very challenging situation. They screened

over 600 films to bring the best contemporary films here,” Schwenk said.

Takashi Koizumi’s “Ame Agaru” (“When the Rain Lifts) took home an

Award of Merit. Shoji Ueda, cinematographer for the film, said he was

happy to see a Japanese work appeal to the American audience.

Many of the screenings this year ended up with standing room only

because tickets sold so well, said Todd Quartararo, director of

marketing.

“There’s certainly a buzz that has started about this festival,” he

said. “Not only here, but in Hollywood.”

* Young Chang writes features. She may be reached at (949) 574-4268 or

by e-mail at o7 young.chang@latimes.comf7 .

WINNERS LIST

Best Picture -- Feature Film: “Ti Voglio Bene, Eugenio” (“Eugenio, I

Love You”)

Best Documentary: “Dogtown and Z-Boys”

Best Director: Feature Film: Robert Connolly for “The Bank”

Best Cinematography: Feature Film: Paul Van Den Bos for “Nynke”

Best Screenplay: Feature Film: Robert Connolly for “The Bank”

Best Actor: Feature Film: Giancarlo Giannini for “Ti Voglio Bene,

Eugenio”

Best Actress: Monique Hendrickx for “Nynke”

Audience Award -- Best Feature: “On the Nose”

Audience Award -- Best Documentary: “Obaachan’s Garden”

Audience Award -- Best Short: “Hairy”

Best Picture -- Short Film: “It’s a Shame About Ray”

Best Cinematography -- Short Film: Andrij Parekh for “Empty”

Best Director -- Short Film: David “Dewey” Kim for “The Parking Spot”

Best Comedy - Short Film: “Quest for the Holy Porcelain”

Best Drama -- Short Film: “Mental Hygiene”

Best Story -- Short Film: “Lector”

Best Animated Short: “Within an Endless Sky”

*****************

Award of Merit

Features:

“So Weit Die Fusse Tragen” (“As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me”)

“Gatas . . . Sa Dibdib Ng Kaaway” (“In The Bosom of the Enemy”)

“When the Rain Lifts”

Documentary: “Crashboats”

Film Shorts:

“Moving On Up”

“Funky Town”

“The Tower of Babble”