Officials from the Bradford County Regional Arts Council announced the winners of the annual Endless Mountains Digital Film Festival Sunday afternoon.
Judges selected "Toy Soldier," directed by Nicole Rosen of Studio City, Calif., as the top film out of seven entrants in the first-ever "Aspiring" category. "Prank Call," directed by Tate Berkey of Danville, Pa., took first place in the youth division for entrants 15 years of age and younger.
Second place in the "Aspiring" category was awarded to "Color Blind" by James Moccia of New York City. Third place went to "No Strings Attached" by Devin Gallagher of Collegeville, Pa.
Kevin Davenport of Towanda and his entry, "Doomed," received a judge's mention for excellent cinematography, while "High Notes" by Alina Marhefka of Allentown, Pa. received a mention for excellent documentary.
Other entrants in the "Aspiring" category included "Strike," directed by Joanne A. Manuli of Wyalusing, and "After Words," directed by Tiffany-Ann Rose of Los Angeles.
While only filmmakers 16 and over from within two hours of Towanda are eligible to enter in the festival's general category, filmmakers from all over the country are invited to enter the "Aspiring" division, a category that proved popular in its first year, said Elaine Poost, BCRAC executive director.
The three top films in the new division were all produced by students of the film school at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Poost said.
In the youth division, "The Fairy Godmother" by Aleah Spiro of Lewisburg received a special mention for character choice.
Other youth entrants included "The Kung Fu Masters of MMI Prep," submitted by A Box of Light from Bloomsburg; "Night Life," directed by Greta Miller of Bloomsburg; and "Fast Shoes," directed by Matthew Orr of Meshoppen.
There were no entries in the general category this year, Poost said.
This year's judges included Joel Davis of KZFM Radio; Fiona Powell of WVIA/WVYA Public television, also a PA Council on the Arts rostered artist in storytelling; Scott Martin, an international photographer; and Michelle Schlegel, a professor in the graphic design department at Mansfield University, according to information from the BCRAC. Judges rated each film based on its originality, creativity and technical skills.
The deadline to submit a film for next year's festival is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 16, 2013, although Poost said officials have looked at possibly moving next year's screening closer to the summer to make it easier for the entrants, many of whom are film students at college, to attend.
Amanda Renko can be reached at (570) 888-9652; or email: arenko@thedailyreview.com.
