Darren Aronofsky, Martin Scorsese and more attend First Time Fest closing night

Industry insiders and new filmmakers gathered at historic club, The Players, last night for the Closing Night Awards following a successful first annual First Time Fest. Academy Award winning actress Ellen Burstyn hosted the ceremony; “I’m not looking forward to anything, I’m completely in the moment!” joked the actress when asked about her expectations for the evening. The event honored both the festival’s new filmmakers and presented director Darren Aronofsky with the John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema. Broadway and film actor Anthony Rapp was in attendance both to support his film Junction and to present the evening’s awards. “I’m honored to be part of anything that helps put the word out about new work,” the actor exclaimed excitedly, moments before honored guests Martin Scorsese and Tony Bennett hit the red carpet.

A hush fell over the audience when Martin Scorsese took the stage to present the John Huston Award, preceded by a retrospective of recipient Darren Aronofsky’s films. “Martin Scorsese called me disturbing. That’s what I’m taking with me tonight,” the director quipped when accepting the much-deserved award. Taking home the Grand Prize of the evening was the film Sal, a modern day Western by first time director Diego Rougier. The Argentinian director will receive theatrical distribution in a major city for his much lauded film.

Festival co-founder Mandy Ward expressed her eagerness to reach new heights with next year’s FTF: “I know where to make improvements and how to support the filmmakers more. I know where to build.” With such a strong debut under their belts, one can expect an innovative lineup of new talent at next year’s festival.

FIRST TIME FEST
CELEBRATING FIRST-TIME FILMMAKERS

Is Proud To Announce Its Grand Prize Winner Of Theatrical Distribution
From Cinema Libre Studio Is Awarded To
SAL

Written And Directed By Diego Rougier (Chile/Argentina)

An inventive modern-day western with majestic sweep, great acting,
and a lot of surprises.

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Directing
AMÉLIE VAN ELMBT
(Headfirst / La Tete La Premiere)
For balancing a fairly tale quality with genuine believability, as its characters enter a forest, and confront a different world

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Writing
MAX WEISSBERG
(Summertime)
For a script showing clarity of vision, great storytelling talent, and sophistication, drawing inspiration from the work of Arthur Schnitzler

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting
NEAL BLEDSOE
(Junction)
For the ferocity of the performance, and playing an unsympathetic character who becomes more and more out of control in a believable way

& ALICE DE LENCQUESAING
(Headfirst / La Tete La Premiere)
A star is born. A natural, seemingly effortless performance that makes everything she does believable

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography
DAVID BRAVO
(Sal)
For beautiful cinematography with rich details, surprising touches,
and a sense of humor

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Editing
JONAH MARIN, JOHN YOUNG
(Zipper)
Fast-paced editing that captures, in a balanced way, a story about humanity in an age of greed. The editing works like The Zipper itself, connecting the ride with the story of Coney Island

FTF Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scoring
MARTIN BOSSA AND TOMÁS CARNELLI
(I Love You All / Los Quiero A Todos)
A score marked by its precision, use of silence, trust in the place of language,
and by its exuberance

FIRST JOHN HUSTON AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMA To DARREN ARONOFSKY Presented By MARTIN SCORSESE

Closing Night Awards Hosted By Legendary Actress
ELLEN BURSTYN

Awards Presented By
ANTHONY RAPP

Competition Jury Members
FRED SCHNEIDER, GAY TALESE,
ANNE-KATRIN TITZE, CHRISTINE VACHON
& THE FTF AUDIENCE

Special Guests
TONY BENNETT & JACK HUSTON

HOSTED BY THE HISTORIC PLAYERS CLUB
With Food Provided by Chef Diane Dimeo
Champagne by Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte