IETFF

HBO Acquires "Sand and Sorrow"

August, 2007

Those present at the IETFF festival of 2007 were treated to a special screening of the Paul Friedman film "Sand and Sorrow". In fact, it was awarded the festival's "Inspiration Award". HBO recently acquired the film, as stated in the Hollywood Reporter:

"HBO has acquired "Sand and Sorrow," Paul Freedman's documentary about the genocide in Darfur, which is executive produced and narrated by George Clooney.

The documentary, which is set to premiere on the premium cable channel in December, chronicles the historical events that led to the rise of Darfur's Arab-dominated government that allows its people to be killed and displaced, provides an inside look at the situation on the ground and examines the international community's "legacy of failure" to respond to such profound crimes against humanity in the past.

"Sand" was acquired through HBO's documentary films division ran by Sheila Nevins. The documentary was directed, produced, written and edited Freedman. Bradley J. Kaplan also produced, while Clooney, Natalie Lum Freedman and Michael Mendelsohn served as executive producers."

IETFF Announces 2007 Festival Winners!

May, 2007

(Monte-Carlo, Monaco) – The First International Emerging Talent Film Festival wrapped up on Tuesday night, 15 May, at Monte-Carlo’s Grimaldi Forum, with a Special Advance screening of Paul Freedman’s film on the travesty in Darfur, SAND AND SORROW, narrated by George Clooney, and the presentation of the Festival’s Juried Competition Wing Awards.

The Festival’s Gala Closing Night Party followed the screening and awards presentation, held in the beautiful rooftop space, Karément, set atop the Grimaldi Forum with breathtaking views of Monte Carlo.

The Wing Awards were introduced by the Festival’s Producer, Mitch Levine, and IETFF’s Founders, Max Ryerson, Noriko Bonafede and Marco Orsini. They were hosted by Oscar-nominated Actress and IETFF Jury President Jennifer Tilly, and presented by Hidetoshi Nakata, one of the world’s greatest football (soccer) player’s, Charlotte Bobcats NBA star, Emeka Okafor (both of whom were in town to support the Festival as well as their joint mutual causes of saving the children of Africa and the world), Bird Runningwater from the Sundance Film Festival and Jury members, director Leon Ichaso (“El Cantante,” “Piñero”) and producer Ikuro Takana (“Battle Royale”). The Festival’s Inspiration Award was presented by Matthias Bruan, Senior Vice President for North America for Audi AG, the IETFF’s Closing Night Sponsor.

2007 IETFF WING AWARDS

BEST FEATURE FILM

Presented to SATANÁS
Directed by Andres Bais (Columbia/Mexico)

BEST SHORT FILM

Presented to CRICKET HEAD
Directed by Grant Greenberg (USA/South Africa)

BEST DIRECTORIAL EFFORT (Feature)

Presented to TAI-SIK KIM
For the film DRIVING WITH MY WIFE’S LOVER (Korea)

BEST DIRECTORIAL EFFORT (Short)

Presented to LILY COATES
For the film THE CAT AND CLAUDIA (Australia)

BEST ACTRESS

Presented to CATHY CURTIN
For her performance in the film CRICKET HEAD (USA/South Africa)

BEST ACTOR

Presented to DAMIAN ALCAZAR
For the film SATANÁS (Columbia/Mexico)

Also presented to KWANG-JUNG PARK
For the film DRIVING WITH MY WIFE’S LOVER (Korea)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Presented to SUN-BON JANG
For the film DRIVING WITH MY WIFE’S LOVER (Korea)

2007 IETFF INSPIRATION AWARD

Presented to SAND AND SORROW
Directed by Paul Freedman

The IETFF is added this special tribute along with its jury awards which speaks directly to the power of film, as not only something which can engage us with compelling stories, but which can also serve as a gateway to understanding new experiences and points of view. The organization believes it is important for those in the artistic and entertainment communities to actively engage in the world and its social and political challenges. It is in this spirit that IETFF is establishing its Inspiration Award to recognize the achievements of an individual whose exemplary work in film has brought to the screen stories that enable audiences to experience life through a lens different from our own, and that exemplify the transformative power of cinema to promulgate change.

Team Orbit 2007