Film Festival announces award winners

© Patrice Ward 2009

The 12th annual Sonoma International Film Festival hit its glitzy stride on Saturday night with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Bruce Willis, presented by Kevin McNeeley. Willis then happily upstaged himself, presenting a Chairman Emeritus award to McNeely on behalf of the Society’s Board of Directors.

Currently its chairman, McNeely has been an executive leader on the board since the festival’s inception over 12 years ago. McNeely had announced that this would be his last Festival.

“Simply put, Kevin is a great guy, a great leader and a great friend to all,” said Bill Zabit, a member of the fesitival board. “He selflessly devoted thousands of hours of his personal time for the cause. He has been overly generous in giving personal financial support to the society when we needed it most.”

Awards for filmmakers and actors were announced Sunday night at the close of the 5-day, 75-film Festival. The feature “Like Dandelion Dust” took honors for best feature, from jury and audience alike, plus two acting awards, including one for actress Mira Sorvino.
“We are extremely proud of these filmmakers’ and actors’ accomplishments and are honored to have had these films as part of our Festival,” said Louisa Percudani, executive director of the Sonoma International Film Festival.
Following are the awards, winners and their prizes:
Best Narrative Feature
Karen Kingsbury’s LIKE DANDELION DUST
Best World Feature
NECESSITIES OF LIFE
Best Actor
Ethan Peck. ADOPT A SAILOR
Honorable Mention Best Actor
Maxwell Perry Cotton, LIKE DANDELION DUST
Best Actress
Mira Sorvino, LIKE DANDELION DUST
Best Documentary
UNDER OUR SKIN
Best Short
NEXT FLOOR
Audience Award – Narrative Feature
LIKE DANDELION DUST
Audience Award – Doc Feature
SPEED AND ANGELS
Special Jury Prize Local Short
THE D.D.
Special Jury Prize Shorts Category
8TH SUMURAI