(November 7th, 2016) Buffalo Dreams Fantastic Film Festival awarded 43 plaques to members of the worldwide film industry in a ceremony at the Dipson Theaters Eastern Hills Cinema on Sunday, November 6th. Buffalo Dreams received 350 film and screenplay selections in 2016, from which it selected 105 entries as Official Selections. The festival recognizes achievement in three divisions: Western New York, North American and International. Pat Swinney Kaufman, who received the Local Service Award for her significant contributions to the Western New York film industry during her 20 years of service as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Motion Picture and Television Production, gave an inspiring acceptance speech. Two for One, filmed in Buffalo, received three awards: Best of the Fest, Best Drama, and Best Actor for Jon Abrahams. Game Changers also won three awards: Best Western New York Drama, Best Western New York Screenwriter for Robert Imbs (who also directed), and Best Actor for Brian Bernys. Buffalo Dreams began Friday, November 4th and continues through Thursday, November 10th at Eastern Hills Cinema, and Nov. 11th – 13th at the Screening Room.
Local Service Award winner Pat Swinney Kaufman post awards with her husband legendary director Lloyd Kaufman.
Local Service Award – Pat Swinney Kaufman
Chris Cosgrave receives Local Hero award from Buffalo Dreams Co-founders Greg Lamberson and Chris Scioli.
Local Hero (WNY) – Chris Cosgrave
Indie Genre Spirit Award – Donald F. Glut
Cinematographer Mathew Quinn and Producer Bethany Hedges accepted multiple awards on behalf of “Two For One” which took home “Best of The Fest”, “Best Drama” and “Best Actor” at Buffalo Dreams.
Best of the Fest – Two for One
Best International Feature – The Forest
Best Family Feature – Six Guys, 6,000 Miles
Best WNY Drama Feature – Game Changers
Best Drama Feature – Two for One
Elizabeth Houlihan, Ken Cosentino, Marcus Ganci-Rotella, and Bill Kennedy take home “Best WNY Comedy Feature”, and “Best WNY Actress” (Houlihan) for “Attack of the Killer Shrews”.
Best WNY Comedy Feature – Attack of the Killer Shrews
Best Comedy Feature – Massacre on Aisle 12
Best WNY Horror Feature – #Screamers
Best Horror Feature – Tonight She Comes
Best Action Feature – Dead Bullet
Best Retro Feature – Blood of the Tribades
Best Science Fiction Feature – The Tomorrow Paradox
Best Thriller Feature – Reunion
Best WTF Feature – La Noche del Virgen (The Night of the Virgin)
Best WNY Short Feature – Squatters
Best Short Feature – Finish Line: The Rise and Demise of Off Track Betting
Best Short Film – Caucemar Capitonne
Best Western New York Short Film, – Pastime
Best International Short Film –The Frozen Eye
Best Western New York Micro-Short Film – Circuit Sizzle
Best Micro-Short Film – Dogged (UK)
Best Web Series – Made in Misojen
Best Music Video – Sidereal Hearts
Best Animated Film – Time Chicken
Buffalo Dreams CO-MC Constance Caldwell with “Beyond The Sea” producers Vinny DiVirgilio and Andrew Dale as they receive “Best WNY Student Film” Award.
Best Western New York Student Film – Beyond the Sea
Best Student Film – Creatures of Whitechapel
Best Western New York Director(s) – Gabe Simon and Alaa “Zak” Noweihed, Edge
Best Director -Matt Stuertz, Tonight She Comes
Best Western New York Screenwriter – Robert Imbs, Game Changers
Best Screenwriter – Nic Costa & Rob Taylor, Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time
Best Western New York Actor – Brian Bernys, Game Changers
Best Actor – Jon Abrahams, Two for One
Best Western New York Actress – Elizabeth Houlihan, Attack of the Killer Shrews
Best Actress – Maria Olsen, Reunion
Best Special Make-Up Effects – Shaun Hunter, Let Her Out
Best Visual Effects – Neil Stryker and the Tyrant of Time
Filmmakers to Watch (2) -Elsie Logan, Choices Determine Your Life – Sly Sundown, Sleepover
Young Student Filmmaker (under age 17) – Talia Cohen-Vigder, Holiday of Holidays
Best Original Screenplay – First Place – Tim Auld, The Red Triangle
Buffalo Dreams MC’s Kim Piazza (Left) and Constance Caldwell (Right) on the red carpet with Buffalo Dreams Co-Founder Greg Lamberson(Center).
http://www.buffalodreamsfantasticfilmfestival.com