ITSA Film Festival Announces Winners

Sonora, CA — The sixth annual ITSA Film Festival was held over the weekend at the Sonora Opera Hall, and several filmmakers received notable recognition.

106 short films were shown during the three-day event, and it also included question and answer sessions. The festival is designed to showcase films, but also bring filmmakers to the Mother Lode to see what the region has to offer. The film “Frontman,” written and directed by Matthew Gentile, took home the prestigious “Best of the Fest” award, and the award for “Outstanding Dramatic Film.” You can find more information about Frontman, and view the trailer, by clicking here.

All of the awards are listed below:

Outstanding Student Film – Kurayami no Wa directed by Morgana McKenzie of Canada (15 years old)

Outstanding Animation – Damn Those Crows directed by Rotem Hermoni of Israel

Outstanding Music Video (Tie) – Unwanted directed by Erin Brown of USA (WORLD PREMIER) and Stay directed by Dillon Nowak of USA

Outstanding Documentary – A Walk through the Tenderloin directed by Josh Hayes and Rainer Cvillink of USA

Outstanding Comedic Film – Fanette directed by Sebastien Chamaillard of France (USA PREMIER)

Outstanding Dramatic Film – Frontman directed by Matthew Gentile of USA

REEL Scary Outstanding Horror Film – Lapsus directed by Karim Ouaret of France

Best of the Fest – Frontman directed by Matthew Gentile of USA

Founders Award – Molly directed by Becca Gleason of USA