Los Angeles, CA – August 15, 2024: The 24th annual Valley Film Festival has concluded, screening over 70 films and hosting daily professional development panels across eight days. Juried “Ten Degrees Hotter” awards, along with Audience awards were announced at a ceremony hosted at Hennessey Studios in the NoHo Arts District.
The “Ten Degrees Hotter” awards went to The Ghost Trap for Best U.S. Narrative feature, Ciurè for Best International Narrative Feature, and American Pot Story: Oaksterdam for Best Documentary Feature. Short film honors went to Broad Daylight, Best Narrative Short, and Speaking with the Ancestors for Best Documentary Short, with an Honorable Mention to the documentary An Unlikely Mermaid.
Best Music Video was awarded to Butterfly Effect from the artist Tough Front.
Short film Audience Award winners were given to “1 in the Chamber,” “Dion & Denver,” “Palmdale,” “Quayle,” and “Squish”.
“Ten Degrees Hotter” Award Winners:
The Ghost Trap, (United States) – Los Angeles Premiere. Based on the novel by K. Stephen, the Ghost Trap is the haunting story of Jamie Eugley, a young lobsterman struggling with the grinding responsibilities of a head-injured fiancé and mounting trap wars in a small Maine lobstering community. Directed by James Khanlarian. Written by K. Stephens, James Khanlarian. Produced by Peter Couture, Kaley Stephens, Candace Cason. With Zak Steiner, Greer Grammer, Sarah Catherine Hook, Taylor Takahashi, Steven Ogg, Sarah Clarke, Xander Berkeley, Lucinda Jenney.
Ciurè, (Italy) – Los Angeles Premiere. Salvo is a young father who struggles between makeshift jobs and a life of crime, to support his son in suburban Palermo, Sicily. When the spiral of violence turns against him, he runs into Ciurè, a transgender dancer who helps him find a way out of the underworld. Written and directed by Gianpiero Pumo. Produced by Compagnia del Marketing. With Vivian Bellina, Gianpiero Pumo, Marilù Pipitone, Ernesto Tomasini, Maurizio Bologna, Calabrese Falcone.
American Pot Story: Oaksterdam (United States). American Pot Story chronicles a campaign that brought cannabis into the mainstream and it’s also an inspiring reminder of how democracy can work when people come together in an effort to fulfill our pledge to liberty and justice for all. Directed by Ravit Markus and Dan Katzir. With Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D CA), Governor Gavin Newsom, Tommy Chong, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Dale Sky Jones, Richard Lee, Kat Murti, Evan Nison, Jim Gray, Jeff Jones.
Broad Daylight (United States) – World Premiere. This dramatic short film, based on the play, tackles the reality of dementia and eldercare. Written and directed by Alex Goldberg. Produced by Catia Ojeda, Milena Govich, Liz Vacco. With Tim Fannon and Anne Gee Byrd.
Speaking with the Ancestors (United States) – Filmmaker Richard E. Haywood follows Deborah Sanchez’s journey to revive the Smuwic language of her Coastal Chumash tribe through teaching and song.
Honorable Mention:
Unlikely Mermaid (United States) – World Premiere. Filmmaker Lorraine Portman and her 79-year-old friend audition to be World Famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids.
Best Music Video or Trailer:
Butterfly Effect (United States) – Directed by Michael Centeno. Produced by Andrea Lopez.
Audience Award Winners:
1 in the Chamber (United States) – Two hired assassins are pitted against each other in a baby-proofed room. Written and directed by Annie Girard, Diana Wright. Produced by James Bristow, Kourtney Gleason, Matt Danner, Rachel Parsons. With Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Yara Martinez, Wilson Bethel.
Dion & Denver (United States) – An imagined meeting between Dion DiMucci and John Denver in the late 1960s. Directed by Zack Hosseini. Written by Danny DiTorrice, Tessa Leibowitz. Produced by Gehrig Campbell-Dempsey, Rayce Lopez, Danny DiTorrice, Matthew Fresolone, Morgan Rutter, Zack Hosseini. With Danny DiTorrice, David San Miguel, Dana Mackin.
Palmdale (United States) – Set in the overlooked beauty of Palmdale, California, the film explores the unmatched bond of a brother & sister looking to maintain innocence in a harsh world. Directed by Lauren Moreno. Written by Lauren Moreno, Madison Fitts. Produced by Madison Fitts, Brandon S.N. Butler. With Isabelle Marchard, Giosué Bottini, Sage Kirkpatrick, Luke Stratte-McClure.
Quayle (United States) – Written, Directed, and Produced by Kyle Kenyon, Quayle comically explores the feelings between two roommates. With Mia Schauffler and PJ McCormick.
Squish (United States) – Chronically anxious Allie becomes obsessed with living a thought-free life like a plush squishy kid’s toy. Directed by Keith Powell. Written by Allie Leonard. Produced by Allie Leonard, Keith Powell, Joss Utting. With Allie Leonard, Emily Hampshire, Frankie Placidi, Jill Knox, Jack McBrayer, Rae Gray, Lisa Linke.
For more updates, follow @ValleyFilmFest and #VFF24 & #UnitedByFilm, on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and ValleyFilmFest.com.
ABOUT THE VALLEY FILM FESTIVAL
The Valley Film Festival is an all-volunteer non-profit arts organization that supports local and international voices that advance storytelling. Now in its 25th year, VFF is the first and longest running film festival in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, and screens short films along with narrative and documentary feature films from around the world. In addition to film screenings, The Valley Film Festival mentors’ filmmakers through every stage of their careers, via our Focus On: series of educational panels and professional development seminars.
