Father Geek here taking a brief breakfast break from the jam-packed SXSW Film Festival... today I'll be catching Kevin Smith's JERSEY GIRL and Del Toro's HELLBOY (the latter is not a part of the fest, its an special AICN Premiere Screening) among others... Annnnd I thought I'd pass on this indie fest info to those of you that are interested in such...

You know, I feel a little weird about the fest today... while I'm attending a "Film" Festival I'll be meeting up with major "Comic Con" guys like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, and Kevin Smith... its like I've been transported to Atlanta's DRAGONCON, or San Diego in late July...

Oh Well, got to wolf-down this steaming java and get on the road to Harry's Panel over at the Austin convention center...

The Florida Film Festival has announced the winners of the American Independent Competition and Audience Awards in Orlando, Florida (March 5-14, 2004).

The Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature was given to DOWN TO THE BONE, directed by Debra Granik. The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature was presented to HAPPY HOUR, directed by Mike Bencivenga.

The Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature was presented to NEVERLAND: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY, directed by Robert Stone. The Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature was given to THE FIGHT, directed by Barak Goodman.

The Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Short was given to SCRABBLE, directed by Jay and Mark Duplass. The Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Short was presented to CHAVEZ RAVINE: A LOS ANGELES STORY, directed by Jordan Mechner. The Grand Jury Award for Best Animated Short was presented to MAGDA, directed by Chel White. The Audience Award for Best Short Film was given to SUBWAY SALVATION, directed by Carolyn London.

The Narrative Features Jury bestowed a Special Jury Award for Narrative Filmmaking to NOISE, directed by Tony Spiridakis.

The Documentary Jury bestowed a Special Jury Award for Extraordinary Courage in Filmmaking to AWFUL NORMAL, directed by Celesta Davis.

The Shorts Jury bestowed a Special Jury Award for Inspired Musical Filmmaking to PRETTY DEAD GIRL, directed by Shawn Ku.

Special Jury Award for Best Student Film was presented to THE PLUNGE, directed by Todd Schulman of Florida State University.

Audience Awards for Best International Feature and Best International Short will be announced after the Festival on Tuesday, March 16, 2003.

Founded in 1992, the Florida Film Festival is produced by the 18-year old Enzian Theater. Enzian, Central Florida's only full-time, nonprofit cinema, exists to entertain, inspire, educate, and connect the community through film. In addition to the Florida Film Festival, Enzian annually produces numerous other mini festivals, including Jewish, South Asian, and children's events, as well as a statewide filmmakers' showcase. Enzian also hosts meet-the-filmmaker and other events in cooperation with regional nonprofits and educational institutions.

Enzian Theater and the Florida Film Festival are supported by United Arts of Central Florida with funds from the United Arts campaign and by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. This project funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts and Cultural Affairs Program.